by Lisa Moreau
“What did I just say?”
“You said I look like an angel,” Sophie whispered.
“I must have been dreaming. What are you doing here? What time is it?”
“A little after six. Did you do all this?” Sophie motioned around the room.
“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind. I was bored out of my mind. I had to do something.”
“Mind? It’s incredible. Where’d you get the bookshelves?”
“I went to Target in Tallon. I also got that organizer, which worked great for all the seeds.”
“And you even packaged the school project. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“I was afraid you’d be angry. I mean, you did tell me not to touch anything.”
“Sorry about that. Obviously, I was mistaken.”
Jordan stretched her arms overhead and yawned. “Well, I’m glad you approve. How was your trip?”
Sophie smiled. “Great. I love working with kids. I almost became a teacher.”
“Really? What stopped you?”
“I wanted to have more of an impact on monarch conservation. Plus, this way I can do both.”
As Sophie looked at Jordan, she couldn’t help but marvel at what a beautiful woman she’d grown into. She was the entire package—smart, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. She probably had guys falling all over her. Lucky bastards. With that thought, Sophie turned and walked to the caterpillars on a table.
“How are the twins?” she asked, peering into the containers.
“They’re growing like milkweed. I think they missed you. They were asking me a bunch of technical questions about how to spin a cocoon, but I didn’t have a clue.” Jordan joined Sophie, standing close behind.
“They talk now?” Sophie smirked.
“Uh-huh. I said they’d have to wait until their mom gets home.”
Sophie glanced at Jordan over her shoulder and was met with sparkling hazel eyes and a playful smile. Her gaze dropped to Jordan’s full lips, surprised that she wondered if they were soft, what they tasted like, if Jordan was a sensual kisser. Sophie jerked her head back to the caterpillars and reminded herself that Jordan was her straight boss who had the power to destroy all her hard work.
As Sophie reached to grab milkweed to feed the caterpillars, she gasped when her hand grazed the wood table. “Ow,” she said, a sharp stab in her finger.
Jordan grabbed Sophie’s hand and examined it. “You have a splinter. Do you have tweezers?”
“I can take care of it.” Sophie tried to pull away, but Jordan held firm.
“You’re in pain. I can see it in your face. Just tell me where the tweezers are…Please.”
Sophie’s insides turned into a mushy swamp when she gazed into compassionate, pleading eyes. “In the top desk drawer.”
Moving at lightning speed, Jordan grabbed the operating instrument and was standing beside Sophie in record time. Jordan licked her lips, appeared nervous, and looked at Sophie as though she requested permission to proceed. When Sophie nodded, Jordan carefully took her hand, which fit perfectly in Jordan’s palm.
“This might hurt a little. It’s in pretty deep, but I think I can grab the end.” Jordan glanced at Sophie before getting to work.
There was probably pain, but Sophie didn’t feel anything with Jordan two centimeters away, smelling like a fresh field of flowers. She inhaled deeply, trying to place the fragrance. It was milkweed, but which one? Asclepius syriaca? No, more like Asclepius tuberosa. Sophie inhaled again. Yes, that was it. Jordan wafted of the scent of bright-orange, nectar-rich flowers commonly known as butterfly weed. Actually, it had fourteen other names, including Canada root, fluxroot, butterfly flower, Indian posy, and butterfly love. Sophie tried to remember any other facts about the milkweed, anything that would take her mind off Jordan’s soft locks that grazed her skin. Jesus, she was so close if Sophie puckered her lips she’d plant a kiss on Jordan’s cheek.
Jordan raised her head and looked at Sophie. “Are you okay? Did it hurt?”
Pain, right. She should have felt pain. It shouldn’t have been an enjoyable experience. Sophie dropped her gaze to their clasped hands, Jordan’s thumb lightly caressing her skin. She slipped out of Jordan’s grasp and took two steps back. “It’s fine. Thanks for your help.”
Sophie walked to her desk, a safe distance away. She wrapped her arms around her body and glared at Jordan. “Have you thought any more about what you’re going to do with the sanctuary? Since you cleaned things up around here, does that mean you’re keeping the place?”
Jordan squished her eyebrows together, a blank expression on her face. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about that. Didn’t we make a pact?”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “That means you’re selling?”
“What?…I…huh?”
“You can’t do it, Jordan. You’d kill thousands of monarchs by displacing their home and destroying their food source. I forbid you to sell.” Sophie knew she was being unreasonable, but she had a sudden desire to pick a fight.
Jordan stepped back, her face as red as a radish. “Are we back to that again? Where do you get off telling me what I can do? I did you a favor by promising not to make any decisions until February.”
“Ohhh, yes. You’re just a saint.”
“I’m the boss! That’s who I am. You have no right to order me around. You…You…” Jordan swayed and her eyes glazed over right before they rolled back in her head. When she fell face forward, Sophie lunged and tried to break her fall. Luckily, she prevented Jordan from cracking her head on the hardwood floor. Adrenaline coursed through Sophie’s body, her heart beating wildly. Jordan had collapsed and was out cold.
“Oh my God, Jordan. Are you okay?” Sophie’s hand shook as she touched Jordan’s clammy forehead. “Jordan, can you hear me?” She lightly shook her shoulders but got no response. Fear welled within her. She wasn’t sure what had happened or why. Had Jordan fainted, or something worse? Maybe she’d had a stroke or an aneurism. Sophie felt for a pulse, relieved to feel thumping. She ran to the desk and picked up the phone to call 911. Before she dialed, Jordan moaned and thrashed her head back and forth. Sophie put the phone down and ran back to her side.
“Can you hear me? Jordan?”
Jordan’s eyes fluttered open. She looked afraid and confused. “What…why am I on the floor?”
“I think you fainted.” Sophie’s voice quivered.
“Oh God, I’m such an idiot.” Jordan covered her face with her hands.
“What’s going on? Are you all right?”
Jordan peeked at Sophie through her fingers. Sophie could only imagine the horrified look on her face. She’d never been so scared before.
“I’m fine. Really.” Jordan sat upright with Sophie’s assistance, taking a few moments to steady herself. “It’s just something I do. I pass out sometimes when I get upset. It’s no big deal.” Jordan looked embarrassed.
“No big deal? You were unconscious. Have you been to a doctor? Maybe it’s something serious.”
“No, no. Trust me. I’ve had a million tests and seen hundreds of doctors. I need to learn how to handle stress. I’ve tried meditation, tai chi, visualization, yoga. Nothing’s helped.”
Sophie put a hand on Jordan’s arm, still not convinced she was okay. “Are you sure? I mean, people don’t just faint.”
Jordan shrugged. “I’m not most people. Really, I’m fine.”
Sophie studied Jordan closely. “So you only do it when you get upset?” Jordan nodded. “Maybe I could help.”
“How?”
“Have you ever tried meridian tapping? It’s a form of Chinese acupressure.”
Jordan thought for a moment, then said, “I can safely say that’s one thing I haven’t tried.”
“Maybe I could teach you sometime.”
“I’m up for anything that might help. This is one thing I’ve never been able to control.”
“Oh, my. This is all my fault. I’m the one who upset you. I
was being such an ass.” Sophie buried her face in her hands.
Jordan pulled Sophie’s hands down and looked into her eyes. “It’s okay. Really.”
“So when did your fainting spells start?”
“Well, actually…the first time was…um…ten years ago. I followed you home after the earthquake and fainted in the forest.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “You followed me home that night? I didn’t see you.”
“I kept my distance. I wanted to make sure you got home safely. I fainted when you were on the porch with your aunt.”
Sophie laid her hand over her heart “Really? You watched out for me? I’d always thought you left me there.”
“I’d never do that.”
The sincerity in Jordan’s eyes touched Sophie’s heart. Talk about feeling like a grade-A, first-class loser. Not only had she ragged on Jordan until she passed out, but now she found out Jordan didn’t leave her alone after the earthquake after all. Was there anything else she didn’t know about that night?
Chapter Ten
Butterfly Daze
How in the world had Jordan gotten herself into this? As she sat on an outdoor stage facing hundreds of people, she managed to keep a smile plastered on her face during the mayor’s God-awful long speech, but by the time Mabel spoke she was dozing off.
“…Jordan, the Monarch Festival guest of honor.”
Jordan. That’s me. Jordan rose as Mabel motioned her toward the podium and jabbed a gigantic key to the city in the shape of a butterfly in her hand. Horrifyingly, Mabel then handed her the microphone, leaving her stranded alone onstage. It had never occurred to Jordan that she’d actually have to speak. She thought the most she’d have to do was smile until her face cracked.
She blew a few times into the mic, discouraged that it was working, and looked at hundreds of expectant faces staring back at her. A few people flinched when she cleared her throat, which reverberated over the loudspeaker. “Uh…thank you all for coming…um…” Jordan didn’t have a clue what to say. She could BS her way through just about any topic except butterflies. She glanced back at Mabel, who had a slightly worried expression. “Um…it’s an honor to be here today to celebrate the kickoff of monarch season. Butterflies are beautiful creatures…and…and as Confucius said, ‘Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.’” Oh my God. What am I even saying?
Jordan felt someone tap her shoulder, relieved to see that it was Sophie.
“Do you need some help?” Sophie whispered.
Jordan nodded enthusiastically. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Sophie Sanders, who runs the monarch sanctuary.” The crowd applauded and whistled. Jordan shoved the microphone into Sophie’s hand.
“Thank you. As Jordan was saying, monarchs are amazing…”
Mesmerized by the beauty of her savior, Jordan didn’t hear one word she said. It must have been good, though, because people laughed and clapped. She loved the way Sophie’s eyes sparkled and her face lit up when she talked about butterflies. Jordan could stare at that face all day.
When Sophie concluded her remarks, Jordan said “thank you” about a million times. She really wanted to give Sophie a humongous hug, but the most they’d done was shake hands so she didn’t want to make things feel awkward.
Mabel grabbed Jordan’s arm. “Now, let’s skedaddle. We need to get you on that horse.”
“Horse?” Jordan asked, suspicious.
“For the parade!”
Oh God. There’s a parade?
“Sophie, you should join, too. Everyone loved your speech. You can ride with Jordan.”
Sophie shook her head and backed away. “No, no―”
“Hey, you got me into this. You can’t miss out on all the fun.” Jordan grabbed her arm before she could get away. “There’s just one thing,” she whispered to Mabel. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”
“Actually, neither have I,” Sophie said.
Mabel looked momentarily concerned, which made Jordan think they were in the clear, before her face lit up. “We have just the one you two can ride. She’s as gentle as a puppy. Now let’s get going. We still need to put the sash and crown on you.”
Oh God. There’s a sash and crown?
Dixie May. That was the horse’s name. She was huge but did look relatively docile. Actually, she was quite beautiful, with shiny, reddish-brown―or maybe that should be sangria―hair and snow-white hooves, if that’s what they were called.
Mabel placed an orange-and-black satin ribbon across Jordan’s torso and stuck a bedazzled crown on her head. Sophie did a double take and suppressed a giggle.
Jordan held up a finger in warning. “No laughing. I look like a Ms. America reject. Do you have any idea how much I hate this?”
“What would your LA friends think if they could see you now?”
Jordan burst out laughing. She was pretty sure they’d have plenty of snooty remarks. “I’m just glad the paparazzi aren’t here. TMZ would have a field day with this look.”
Sophie bit her cheek, probably to keep from laughing. “You’re being a good sport. It’s nice of you to do this.”
“Well, I never go back on a promise.”
Sophie’s smile dropped and she looked suddenly serious. “That’s good to know.”
Jordan wondered if she was referring to her agreement not to make any decisions to sell before February.
Sophie ran a hand across the horse’s stomach, ending in a couple of pats. “So, this is Dixie May? To be honest, I’m really nervous. I mean, she’s a very large animal.”
“I know. Isn’t there a fire truck or float we could ride on?” Jordan glanced around.
“What if she bucks us off? Like…like…Rhett and Scarlett’s daughter in Gone With The Wind.” Sophie’s voice cracked with emotion.
“That’s your only horse reference?”
“She died in that movie!”
Jordan’s tone softened when Sophie genuinely looked frightened. “We’ll be okay. It’s not like we’re galloping around a racetrack. We’ll be barely moving.” Jordan wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince more―Sophie or herself.
A John Wayne look-alike approached them from behind. “I hear you city folk have never been on a horse before.” He walked around to the front of Dixie May and stroked her mane. “Which one of you gals will be driving?”
Jordan raised her hand. “Um, I guess that’s me.”
“All right. The beauty queen goes first.”
Jordan rolled her eyes at the “beauty queen” remark.
John Wayne asked that she face the back of the horse and put the reins in her left hand, her left foot in the stirrup. She placed her right hand on the cantle―whatever the hell that was―took a few hops so she was facing the horse, then bounced twice before pushing up and swinging her right leg over until she was sitting in the saddle. That wasn’t so bad, except now she felt like she was on top of a sixty-story building. She hoped they didn’t meet with the same fate as Scarlett’s daughter because it would be a long, hard fall to the ground.
Sophie had a tougher time mounting than Jordan did. It took several attempts, and once in the saddle, she immediately wrapped her arms around Jordan. It was actually kind of nice, like getting a hug, which was something she never thought they’d ever do.
“Can you cluck?” John Wayne asked. “You know, with your tongue. To make the horse move, cluck your tongue and squeeze her sides with both legs. And when you want to stop, lean back slightly, say ‘whoa,’ and pull back on the reins.”
“Cluck, go. Whoa, stop. Got it.”
“You’re not leaving us, are you?” Sophie asked, sounding fearful.
“Don’t you fret, little lady. I’ll walk right beside you the entire way.”
Jordan didn’t appreciate Sophie’s lack of confidence in her. She clucked and squeezed, and Dixie May began trotting. This wasn’t so scary after all. In fact, it was kind of fun. They made their way into the line of marching bands, floats, an
d decorated cars, stopping behind a gang of twirlers wearing butterfly wings.
Jordan glanced back at Sophie. “You okay?”
“Yeah, it just feels so…high. Don’t you dare go fast.”
“I won’t. I’ll take good care of you.” Jordan laid her hand on Sophie’s knee, hoping to reassure her. Ever since they were kids, something about Sophie had made Jordan want to take care of her, keep her safe. She’d never felt that way about anyone else.
It seemed like hours before the parade participants started moving. Jordan’s butt was numb from sitting in the saddle for so long, but finally, they were scurrying down Main Street with scads of people lined up along the sidewalks. Thankfully, Dixie May was the first horse in line so they didn’t have to deal with smelly horse droppings. Jordan chuckled to herself. She still couldn’t believe she was in a butterfly festival wearing a crown and riding a horse. This was a first. Sophie could probably talk her into anything. Well, almost anything. Jordan had to admit, though, it was hard to be a sourpuss. She couldn’t really frown at people waving and smiling at her, especially the little kids. So, she plastered on a happy face and made the best of it.
Once they were through the parade route, John Wayne helped them both dismount Dixie May. They petted her soft, slick hair and thanked her for not bucking them off.
Within seconds, Mabel was by their side. “Good job, girls. Now, Jordan, we need to get you to butterfly bingo, where you’ll call out the numbers.”
Jordan shot Sophie a pained look. Sophie cocked her head, grinned, and shrugged. With everything going on, Jordan hadn’t noticed how adorable Sophie looked today. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she wore dark-blue jeans and a black-and-white striped T-shirt. Before Jordan had time to fully appreciate the view, Mabel whisked her away.
After bingo, Jordan had a couple of hours free―before she had to pin a medal on the chili-cook-off winner―so she wandered down Main Street. It was closed to traffic and packed with arts-and-crafts booths. As she passed a display of framed monarch prints she ran smack-dab into Rebecca, her stepmother, who mouthed the word “fuck.” Next to Rebecca stood her father, who did a double take. The long-haired kid she’d seen the other day kept walking, oblivious to what was happening.
