by Lisa Moreau
As Jordan tiptoed around the tree to get a better view she ran into an overhanging branch. Her nose itched, tickled, and she sneezed hard three times in a row.
“Who’s there?” Sophie asked.
Jordan wanted to run, but she’d surely be seen. Instead, she stepped from behind the tree and sneezed twice more. Sophie put one hand over her mouth and the other over her heart. They stared at each other for several long, tense moments.
“I’m…I’m sorry if I scared you,” Jordan finally said.
Sophie gaped at Jordan like she’d just risen from the dead.
“Are you okay? It’s me. Jordan.”
“Jordan?” Sophie spoke in barely a whisper.
“Yeah.” Jordan stuck trembling hands into her pockets.
“Oh my God. What…I mean…I just…I never expected…”
Jordan took several steps forward, on shaky limbs. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Apparently, I’m allergic to eucalyptus trees.” When Sophie didn’t respond, she said, “I didn’t use to be. I guess living in the city will do that to a person. I’m allergic to cats, too. I learned that one the hard way. And maybe strawberries.” God, why am I listing all my allergies like I’m in a doctor’s office? Jordan willed herself to shut up and waited for Sophie to respond, which seemed to take an eternity.
“What are you doing here?” Sophie’s voice quivered.
“It’s kind of complicated.” Jordan gazed at Sophie. She still looked like a Disney Princess, with shoulder-length blond hair and the biggest, most beautiful blue eyes Jordan had ever seen. “Do you live here? In Monarch?”
“Yes.”
“Ah. I didn’t know.”
Sophie visibly stiffened. “How could you? You’ve been gone almost ten years. What are you doing here?” Sophie put her hands on her hips, the shock apparently wearing off, as evidenced by her sharp tone.
“I’m here for some family business.”
“Your father said you don’t keep in touch with family.”
A sickening dread washed over Jordan. It was quite possible her father had told Sophie about all the romantic, erotic feelings she’d written in her diary.
“I don’t.”
“So, why are you back after all this time?”
“It’s a long story.” Actually, it wasn’t a long story, but Jordan’s modus operandi was to be evasive. Doug said she’d have made an excellent FBI agent, being so secretive, but Jordan preferred to think of herself as careful. It sounded less inhospitable.
Sophie cocked her head and raised an eyebrow, silently urging her on.
“My grandmother passed away, and it seems she left me some property.”
Sophie’s jaw dropped and her mouth opened wide. “You own the butterfly sanctuary?”
“Crazy, huh? I figured I’d be the last person on earth my grandmother would leave it to. It’s around here somewhere. Do you know where?”
“I should. I’ve been running the place since it opened five years ago.”
Jordan pointed at Sophie. “You’re the leopard—”
“Lepidopterist.”
“Yeah, that. Wow, I had no idea.”
They were silent for several moments as the news sank in.
“Sophie―”
“So I guess I’ll see you later? At the sanctuary.”
“I’ll be there this afternoon. I think―”
Sophie turned and bolted down the trail. Jordan watched as she disappeared into the forest. She felt nauseous. The last person she expected to see was Sophie, and least of all at their tree. Fearing her knees would buckle, she walked to the eucalyptus and plopped down with her back against the trunk. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the smooth bark.
She shouldn’t feel weak. Her heart shouldn’t ache. She shouldn’t want to cry. And most of all, it shouldn’t feel like no time had passed since they were last together.
Remembering their initials engraved in the tree, Jordan opened her eyes and ran her fingertips over the SOS…over and over again. Why did Sophie have to live in Monarch? And why did she have to run the sanctuary? Well, Jordan would gladly help her find another job and give her the best reference possible. Surely Sophie would understand why she had to sell the place. It was a whopping two million dollars, for Christ’s sake. Who wouldn’t understand that?
*
Sophie’s heart hammered as she ran out of the forest to the bluff overlooking the ocean. When she was out of sight and far enough away from Jordan, she took a deep breath. For years, Sophie had dreamt of the moment she might actually see her again. She had hoped and prayed this day would come. So why wasn’t she happy? Why hadn’t she run into her arms? Because she was angry. Damn angry. Best friends didn’t disappear without a trace, ignore phone messages, and show up out of the blue ten years later.
Jordan was the last person Sophie had ever expected to abandon her. It had hurt when Cindy left, but Jordan’s leaving had been ten times worse. Maybe because she’d loved Jordan ten times more. Sophie had never been as close to anyone as she had Jordan. She shared her deepest thoughts, secrets, and feelings…well, all except one. Jordan didn’t have a clue as to how Sophie had felt about her, that she pretended it was Jordan holding her close as she danced with her prom date, and that she wanted to die when Jordan left. She didn’t know any of that because Sophie had barely been able to admit it to herself at the time. Falling in love with a girl wasn’t something she’d planned or even wanted. In fact, it wasn’t until Sophie was crying in her aunt’s arms after the earthquake that she’d realized how much she loved Jordan, and by then it was too late. She was gone.
Sophie wiped away an angry tear. This still shouldn’t hurt so much.
Three dolphins jumping in the distance caught Sophie’s eye. They were a reminder to be lighthearted, playful. She took a deep breath and willed the anger to subside, without much success. She knew negative energy was bad for her aura, and who needed that?
Don’t give away your power. Jordan can’t hurt you again if you don’t let her. Focus on the future of the sanctuary. The butterflies are all that matter.
Chapter Six
Got Milkweed?
Jordan sat under the eucalyptus tree probably longer than she should have. When she finally got back to the condo, she took a quick shower, since she wanted to arrive at the sanctuary before Mr. Simms did. After scarfing down a sandwich, she grabbed the directions and headed out the door. Even though the sanctuary was only a mile from the condo, Jordan drove, not wanting to get lost on the intertwining hiking trails. As the building came into view, her heart pounded. She was nervous about seeing Sophie again.
The sanctuary sat on the outskirts of the forest and looked strikingly small from the outside. Large, shady oak trees and a field of weeds, which Jordan was pleased to see, surrounded it. A hotel would fit nicely there, and minimal trees would have to be destroyed. Unfortunately, the sanctuary would be torn down, but if it was as shabby on the inside as it was on the outside, no one should put up too much of a fuss. She hoped.
When Jordan entered, she noticed how crowded and disorganized the place was. Books were stacked to the ceiling, equipment was strewn about, butterfly nets were everywhere, and unpacked boxes took up most of the floor space. When she gazed at Sophie, her stomach fluttered. She was sitting at a desk staring intently at a computer screen while slightly biting her lower lip. Big blue eyes peered out of wire-framed glasses that made her look intelligent, in a sexy-librarian sort of way. Yellow had always been her color, and still was, since the shirt she wore complemented her complexion perfectly. She looked cute enough to squeeze, like a stuffed animal you wanted to cuddle with all night.
Jordan zigzagged around boxes and stood in front of the desk. “Hi.”
Sophie nodded once without taking her eyes off the computer screen. Jordan couldn’t blame her for the cold shoulder. Ironic that she’d been evasive when she left so Sophie wouldn’t hate her, but that’s exactly what had happened anyway. If Jordan could break
through Sophie’s icy exterior, maybe they could be friends again. After all, Jordan’s life had never felt complete without Sophie.
“I’m sure it’s a shock to see me again,” Jordan said.
Sophie looked at Jordan and raised an eyebrow. “You could say that.”
“I missed you.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t even go there. You disappeared without any explanation. I had no way of reaching you. You left me alone in the forest after a major earthquake. Don’t you dare say you missed me.”
They both turned toward the door when a man entered. Business suit. Briefcase. Bald. Serious expression. He must be the lawyer. The guy had bad timing, or maybe good, considering where the conversation was heading.
“Are you Ms. Jordana Lee? I’m Mr. Simms.” The man raised his spindly legs to step over a box and held out his hand.
Jordan could have sworn she heard Sophie giggle at the use of her given name, which she knew Jordan despised.
“Please, call me Jordan. It’s nice to meet you.” Jordan grasped his thin, clammy hand. “Do you know Zophia Opal Sanders?” Jordan glanced at Sophie, who had a slight grin. Maybe the ice was melting?
“Zophia? I thought you were―”
“Zophia is my birth name, but I go by Sophie, as Jordana very well knows.” Sophie pushed up her sleeves like she was getting ready for a fistfight. Okay, maybe the ice wasn’t melting after all.
“I see,” Mr. Simms said. “Well, I thought perhaps I could show you around the property, Ms. Lee.”
“Yes. That’d be great.”
Sophie pushed her chair back and stood up. “Care if I join you? I know this land better than anyone.”
Jordan glared at Mr. Simms in an attempt to telepathically relay that she’d rather Sophie not tag along. She was afraid he might reveal her plans to sell, and Jordan would rather break the news slowly, over time.
“If Ms. Lee isn’t opposed…” Mr. Simms looked questioningly at Jordan.
Great. A lawyer who couldn’t read minds. She had no choice but to agree. As Sophie saved her computer document, Jordan whisked Mr. Simms into a corner to let him know she wanted to keep her plans for the sanctuary a secret.
Once outside, they walked down a path through the large open field, which was where Jordan suspected the hotel would be built. Mr. Simms stopped midway down the trail, with overgrown weeds on either side of them.
“As you know, you have two acres of land.” Mr. Simms pointed at the horizon. “The property starts here and includes this field, the sanctuary, and well into the forest, which I’ll show you next.”
“Why wasn’t something ever done with this land instead of letting weeds and wildflowers take it over?” Jordan asked.
Sophie shot her an incredulous glare. “This is milkweed.”
“Okay. So?”
“God, Jordan, you lived here eight years. Didn’t you learn anything? Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed, and it’s the only food source for caterpillars.”
“Wait a second. I know for a fact that caterpillars eat leaves, tree sap, pollen, and even fruit.”
“We’re talking about monarchs.” Sophie sighed loudly.
“How do you know all this?”
“I have a master’s in wildlife biology from Utah State University with a specialty in conservation.” Sophie paused and looked Jordan directly in the eye. “If you had stuck around you’d know that.”
And there it was.
Mr. Simms looked nervously from Jordan to Sophie. He was a little skittish to be a lawyer. Jordan didn’t think he’d fare well in an LA courtroom.
“Um…shall we continue the tour?” He cleared his throat and walked down the trail, not seeming to care if they followed.
They walked in silence as Mr. Simms led them through the forest and right next to their eucalyptus tree. It was a chilly afternoon, so most of the monarchs were huddled on the branches, with a few rebels flying around. Jordan couldn’t help but smile when one landed on top of Sophie’s head.
“The butterflies seem to know you. One just landed on your head,” Mr. Simms said.
Sophie froze as she looked at Jordan. Was she remembering the last time they were together? From the sadness in her eyes, Jordan was certain she was.
“So this is all part of my grandmother’s property? Including this tree?” Jordan asked.
“Yes. It includes the majority of the grove. You now own two acres of quite valuable land.”
Sophie’s head jerked toward Jordan, the sorrow in her eyes replaced with apprehension.
“I see,” Jordan said, like she was hearing that for the first time. She walked around the tree, Sophie’s eyes following her every move.
“Well, if you don’t have any other questions I need to head back to the office. I’ll check up on you every few days, as discussed in the stipulations.”
“Yes. Thank you for your time,” Jordan said.
Mr. Simms trotted down the trail, leaving Jordan and Sophie alone in the forest.
“What stipulations? What did he mean?” When Sophie held out her hand, the butterfly on top of her head flew down and rested in her palm.
“How do you do that? I’ve never once had a butterfly land anywhere on me.”
“Jordan?” The unmistakable look on Sophie’s face said she wanted an answer…and now.
She had no reason not to open up to Sophie about her grandmother’s will so she told her everything. Well, almost everything. She left the part out about selling the land.
Sophie crept closer to Jordan, the butterfly still resting in her palm. “I don’t understand. Why does your grandmother want you to work at the sanctuary?”
“Now, that I don’t know.”
Sophie peered at Jordan. “Why does she want you to reconcile with your father? Did you have an argument?”
“You could say that. He threw me out.”
“Is that why you left? Because of your father?” Compassionate eyes gazed at Jordan. God, she’d missed the Disney Princess.
“Yeah. We had a disagreement.”
Jordan braced for the onslaught of questions about what the argument was about and why she’d disappeared, but that never came. Instead, Sophie asked an even more difficult question.
“What are your plans for the sanctuary? What will you do when the two months are up?”
So much for trying to keep a secret. Jordan couldn’t lie to Sophie. “Well, I did get an offer from a hotel chain. And get this, it’s for two million dollars.”
“Oh my God, Jordan. You can’t sell! They would destroy the milkweed field and chop down the trees.” The shrill tone of Sophie’s voice caused the butterfly in her palm to fly into the tree.
“Did you hear me when I said it’s for―”
“I don’t care how much it is. Eucalyptus trees used to be where the condos are right now. The monarchs are dying off. We have to stop this.” Sophie’s face turned bright red, and her eyes were practically popping out of her head.
“Look, I understand where you’re coming from, but I don’t think it’s my responsibility to save the butterflies, and I’d be crazy not to take this offer. It’s a boatload of money, which I need more than a butterfly sanctuary. I’d use it to expand my company, which is everything to me.”
“Well, this”―Sophie motioned around the forest―“this is everything to me. I won’t allow you to sell.”
“You won’t allow me to sell? The last I heard, my grandmother left the property to me, not you.”
“You would actually harm innocent creatures!?”
“God, Sophie, you make me sound like a serial killer. It’s butterflies, for Christ’s sake. This isn’t the only eucalyptus grove around.”
“I’ll fight you every step of the way. I won’t let the sanctuary be destroyed.” Sophie shook her head in disgust and stormed away.
Jordan clenched her jaw. Sophie had some nerve. She was an employee, not an owner. Jordan wasn’t about to let anyone stand in her way of selling th
e land, least of all Sophie.
Chapter Seven
Shake On It
Jordan wasn’t driving her Jaguar; it was driving her. She had no idea how she ended up on Forest Lane, but there she was, right in front of her father’s house. At least she thought it was still his place. Jordan parked across the street and hunkered down in the seat. The house looked smaller than she remembered, even though it was one of the largest in Monarch. It was a two-story white house with a wide porch that wrapped around. The lawn and bushes were expertly manicured, and a silver Lexus sat in the driveway. When the front door opened, Jordan slipped farther into her seat. It was Rebecca, her dad’s wife. She’d recognize that bleached blonde anywhere. Rebecca stopped in the doorway and yelled something into the house. A few moments later, a long-haired boy came out, throwing his hands up in the air. Rebecca yanked the headphones out of his ears and screamed something that was almost audible. The kid stomped to the car with Rebecca following in ridiculously high heels and an oversized gold bag draped on her shoulder. Jordan watched as they sped away.
Wow, that was quite possibly her half brother. Her dad and Rebecca had married when Jordan was fifteen, and considering Rebecca was only twenty-five at the time, they could have had a kid after they threw her out. He looked about seven years old. Sadness washed over Jordan. Her father finally had the son he’d always wanted. She’d been replaced.
