The Butterfly Whisperer

by Lisa Moreau

  “Do you work with Ms. Sophie?” one of the girls asked.

  “I do,” Jordan said.

  “Actually, Jordan owns the butterfly sanctuary. Thanks to her we have a big field of milkweed for the caterpillars. And we all know that if there’s no milkweed, there aren’t any butterflies.”

  Jordan peered at Sophie. A little guilt wouldn’t convince her to pass up two million dollars.

  “Ms. Jordan, did you know that butterflies smell with their antennas and taste with the bottoms of their feet?” Gabe, or maybe Pablo, asked.

  “I didn’t. That’s really interesting.”

  An older woman, who Jordan assumed was the teacher, joined them and greeted Sophie with a hug.

  “Mrs. Nakos, this is my friend Jordan.”

  “How do you do? It’s so nice to meet you. We’re just about to have lunch. Come and join us.”

  “We don’t want to intrude,” Sophie said.

  “Nonsense. After you called I got in contact with everyone, and they should be here shortly. We’re so glad you brought more seeds to plant.”

  Mrs. Nakos led them into a cafeteria where at least fifty rambunctious kids were eating, talking, and laughing. After filling their plates, a tableful of girls called out to Sophie to join them. Jordan’s knees practically rose to her chin as they sat in kid-sized chairs. She examined her seat, unsure if the flimsy plastic would hold her up. When Jordan looked up, Sophie was grinning at her from across the table.

  “What’s your name?” a cute girl with big brown eyes and braided hair asked.

  “I’m Jordan. What’s yours?”

  “I’m Mika. Do you like butterflies?”

  Jordan glanced at Sophie, who was still staring at her. “I do. They’re beautiful.”

  “Do you know about the Native American butterfly legend?”

  “I don’t think so. What is it?”

  “Well, see…it’s like this…if you want a wish to come true, whisper it to a butterfly. Since they don’t make a sound, they can’t tell your wish to anyone but the Native American Spirit. So, when you let the butterfly go, it carries your wish to heaven.”

  “You know, now that you mention it, I have heard that before. Ms. Sophie told me about that legend when we were kids.” Jordan looked at Sophie, the glint in her eye replaced with sadness, which seemed to happen often when something from the past was mentioned.

  After lunch, a group of twenty-five men and women gathered outside the school. They greeted Sophie affectionately with hugs and smiles. The men grabbed the boxes filled with milkweed seeds as everyone headed to a field beside the school.

  “You mean all these people volunteered to help plant milkweed? On a Monday afternoon?” Jordan asked Sophie as they walked.

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am. I tried to organize a beach cleanup once, and only two people showed up.”

  Once they reached the field, Jordan noted at least an acre of fully grown milkweed. Obviously, a lot of work had already been done. Everyone immediately grabbed a handful of seed packets and headed for the newly plowed area. They dropped to their knees and began working. Unsure of what to do, Jordan watched from afar, but then she felt a hand on her shoulder as Sophie whispered, “Just stick with me.”

  Jordan followed Sophie and crouched down beside her.

  “It’s really simple. Stick your finger in the dirt up to your knuckle, place a seed inside, and then cover it with soil.” Sophie demonstrated as she explained. “Space the holes about six inches apart.”

  “I think I can handle that. What are those guys doing?” Jordan pointed to a group of men concocting something with wire.

  “We’ll put that around the plants to keep squirrels and other critters out.”

  Everyone worked side by side for several hours until rows of seeds were planted and the wire fence erected. Jordan stood and raised her arms overhead, attempting to stretch her back. She couldn’t believe how tired she was, but more than that, she was amazed at the volunteers. Not only were they not complaining about the hard work, but oftentimes they were laughing and singing.

  Sophie rose and stood beside Jordan, her cheeks rosy, eyes joyful, and dirt smeared across her forehead. How could she look so adorable?

  “You have a little smudge.” Jordan stepped closer and lightly stroked Sophie’s skin. As their eyes met, everything disappeared except for the deep, blue sea of Sophie’s gaze. They were so close it took all Jordan had not to press their lips together. Her pulse raced at the thought of kissing Sophie.

  A distant voice calling Sophie’s name awakened Jordan from her trance. “I think someone wants you.”

  “Someone wants me?” Sophie had a slight grin, like maybe she thought Jordan was the person who wanted her. When the voice grew louder, Sophie said, “Oh…yeah…right.” Sophie pried her eyes from Jordan and walked away briskly, leaving Jordan with a longing in the center of her chest.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Big Love in Big Sur

  “What do you mean, you don’t have any rooms with separate beds? I called last night, and whoever I talked to said he’d accommodate us.” Sophie leaned across the counter of the Big Sur Inn, ready to strangle the clerk.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know who you spoke with, but we don’t have any rooms available with twin beds.”

  Sophie closed her eyes and shook her head. She turned around to what resembled fear in Jordan’s eyes.

  “Do you want to try someplace else?” Jordan asked.

  “There aren’t many options here, and it’s late. I don’t think we’d find anything. Is this okay just for tonight?”

  Jordan said, “Sure,” but her eyes said, “No way.” While Sophie knew why she was uncomfortable about sharing a bed, she was unsure why Jordan seemed so spooked.

  They grabbed their bags and headed to the room. When Sophie unlocked the door and switched on the light, the queen-size bed―large enough to romp ’n’ roll and do Lord knows what in―stared them in the face. They paused in the doorway until Sophie charged into the room, moving at warp speed. She opened closets, drawers, and suitcases, hung sweaters, and stuffed undies away. Jordan, on the other hand, was still standing by the door but did have the sense to shut it, considering it had to be forty degrees in the room.

  “It’s freezing in here.” A shiver ran down Sophie’s spine. She found the thermostat and turned up the heat, then looked at Jordan, who still stood motionless clutching her suitcase. “Do you want to unpack?”

  “Sure…yeah.” Jordan seemed to regain the ability to walk as she laid her bag on the bed and transported clothes into an empty drawer.

  Sophie stood awkwardly in the center of the room. Should she sit? Or stand? She had to do something since she was totally in the way, like an ill-placed monstrous statue that Jordan had to maneuver around. Nonchalantly, she walked to the bed and studied the hideous painting over the headboard: a beach scene a seven-year-old could have created. In fact, now that she looked around, the whole place was dreadful. The well-worn olive-green bedspread looked like it belonged in an army barracks, the pink-painted walls were something out of a Partridge Family episode, and a sickeningly odd scent of Pine-Sol and cigarette smoke permeated the room.

  “Wow. This place sucks.” Sophie chuckled.

  Jordan approached the opposite side of the bed and glanced around the room as though seeing it for the first time. “No kidding. Chuck could have painted that.” Jordan pointed at the picture.

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  Their gaze bounced from the painting to the military bedspread to each other.

  “Do you…want to take a shower?” Jordan asked. “I mean…you know…do you want to go first?”

  “No. You go ahead. I’m going to see if I can do something about the awful smell in here.”

  After Jordan nodded and disappeared into the bathroom, Sophie walked around the room and flipped on every light switch she could find. The place was entirely too dark. They needed lights
and lots of them. She rummaged through her bag for some Merry Berry after-bath splash and squirted a couple of shots around the room, which only made things worse. Now the place smelled like a holiday whorehouse.

  A loud screech, followed by a vibrating sound, caused Sophie to jump. The water pipes shook the wall like an earthquake, which meant Jordan was in the shower…naked. Sophie sat on the edge of the bed and wrung her hands. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. It wasn’t like they were going to do anything. Just because Jordan was a lesbian didn’t mean she’d jump her bones. She had some self-restraint. Sophie was making far too much of this. It’d be like sleeping next to a sister―albeit a super-sexy, incredibly toned, absolutely gorgeous sister, who wasn’t even remotely related to her.

  Sophie reclined in bed, grabbed the remote, and flipped through channels. Maybe TV would take her mind off naked Jordan. No, they didn’t need a romantic movie, and God no, not reruns of The L-Word. Finally, Sophie found an educational program about the world’s deadliest army ants. Perfect. Nothing safer than killer ants. Her heart raced at the sound of the water shutting off. The room was silent, aside from the monotonous drone of the ant narrator. Jordan was probably towel-drying her naked breasts and rubbing up and down her lean legs. That’s usually what people did after showering. Within minutes, Sophie heard the bathroom door open, and Jordan peeked around the corner.

  “Just going to dry my hair. Then I’ll be out of your way.”

  “No rush. I’m enthralled with this army-ant program.” Enthralled? By ants? She’s going to think I’m a total nature nerd now.

  After blow-drying her hair, Jordan came out the bathroom wearing light-gray sweatpants and a flimsy tank top. Damp auburn tendrils framed her face, which obviously didn’t need makeup to look stunning. Sophie tried not to stare, but she couldn’t resist. Who looks that amazing after a shower?

  Once in the safety of the bathroom, Sophie reveled in the warmth of the water on her skin. Just moments ago, Jordan had been in that exact place running soapy hands up and down her slick, wet body. Sophie’s fingers slipped between her legs as she stroked herself. Her thumb found her clit, which ached to be touched. After several breathless minutes, she stopped. She certainly didn’t need to get aroused right before crawling into bed with Jordan, so she quickly showered and dried her hair.

  All the lights were out, except a lamp, when she opened the door. She squinted in the darkness, relieved to see Jordan already asleep and as far over on her side of the bed as possible. In fact, one more inch and she’d topple onto the floor. Sophie pulled back the covers and slipped into bed, careful not to wake her. She settled into the mattress, sighed, and prayed she’d fall asleep quickly.

  *

  Jordan tried to move, but something heavy was holding her down. Her eyes fluttered open, the memory of where she was dawning. Arms and legs intertwined, blond hair splayed across her chest, and Sophie’s nose nuzzled in the crook of her neck. Jordan sighed contentedly. There were worse places to be. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d woken up with a woman. She was used to escaping before dawn, like a vampire shunning the light. What should’ve felt like an awkward situation instead caused a warmth to radiate in her chest. Jordan settled in closer and basked in the softness of Sophie in her arms. She would have been content to stay there all day, and she would have, if Sophie hadn’t stirred. Jordan quickly closed her eyes, feigning sleep. She felt Sophie bolt upright, pause long enough to make Jordan wonder what she was doing, and roll to the other side of the bed. As Jordan squinted one eye open, Sophie stared at her with big, frightened doe eyes.

  “Morning,” Jordan said, hoarsely. “What time is it?”

  “Seven. Did you sleep okay?”

  “I must have. I don’t remember a thing after lying down.” Jordan yawned and rubbed her eyes.

  “I hope I didn’t crowd you.” Sophie looked like she’d just been caught committing a crime.

  “Not at all.” No use making Sophie feel bad about invading her space, not that Jordan had minded.

  Sophie sighed in obvious relief and sat up in bed. She looked cute in the morning, all fresh-faced and her hair tousled.

  “What time do you have to be at the school today?” Jordan asked.

  “Eight thirty for the first one. Then I’ll hit up a couple more this afternoon. You’re more than welcome to come, but if you want to investigate Big Sur, I’d understand.”

  Jordan sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Actually, I did want to check out a couple of hikes in the redwoods.”

  “You should go to Pfeiffer State Park. It’s beautiful there and just down the road. I wish I had time to show you around.”

  “It’s okay. I know this is a working trip for you.”

  “True, which means I better get moving.” Sophie pushed the covers off and got out of bed, revealing long PJs that covered too much skin for Jordan’s taste.

  “Sophie?”

  “Yeah?” Sophie stood over Jordan, her porcelain complexion flawless.

  “I really enjoyed yesterday. At the reservation. The kids, the people. It was inspiring how everyone worked together.”

  A slow smile crept on Sophie’s lips. “I’m glad. I liked having you there.” Sophie turned and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Jordan with a big grin on her own face.

  Pfeiffer State Park was amazing. Jordan spent the morning hiking through the forest, breathing in the musty scent of foliage dampened by fog, and gazing up at towering redwood trees. One trail ended at a scene that had Jordan’s mouth agape. An eighty-foot waterfall plunged down a cliff into a pool of clear turquoise water. It was one of the most beautiful sights she’d ever seen. Why had she never been to Big Sur before? Maybe she did spend too much time at work.

  Jordan perched on a rock and relaxed to the sound of rushing water. The place reeked of romance. It was the kind of place where lovers kissed under the spray before plunging into the pool for a skinny-dip. Jordan wished Sophie were there to share in the experience. Not that they’d kiss and swim naked, of course, although Jordan couldn’t stop the visualization that popped into her mind.

  Sophie stood under the waterfall, head thrown back, a thin, white shirt plastered against her breasts, like something out of a Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Sophie locked eyes with Jordan and motioned with one finger in a come-hither sort of way. Like an obedient puppy, Jordan approached and stood under the warm stream, unable to take her eyes off Sophie’s rosy, aroused nipples straining against the see-through fabric. Sophie slipped her arms around Jordan’s waist, pulled her close, and pressed their moist lips together.

  Jordan shook her head in an attempt to erase the sexy scene. She’d never had visualizations like that before and quickly blamed it on the waterfall. That’s all it was. Anyone in their right mind would be thinking romance in a place like this.

  After resting for a while, Jordan continued down the trail, which ended at a log cabin that served as the park’s mini-mart. She walked around the aisles and filled a basket with various items she intended to surprise Sophie with later.

  Once back at the Inn, Jordan lounged on the bed and clicked on the TV. It was too quiet without Sophie. Hopefully, she’d be back soon. Jordan flipped through the channels until she heard a soft knock on the door. She turned off the TV, jumped up, and opened the door to a face she’d missed seeing for the last eight hours more than she’d like to admit.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I forgot my key.” Sophie slung her bag on the table and plopped down on the bed. “I’m exhausted.”

  “How’d things go?” Jordan leaned against the edge of the nightstand.

  “Great. I love visiting the kids and teaching them about monarchs. How was your day?”

  “Superb. I hiked at the park and found this huge waterfall. It was so beautiful.” Jordan’s face flushed as the vision of wet Sophie flashed through her mind.

  Sophie shook her head. “I know which one you mean. I’ve been there many times.” Sophie lay on
the bed while Jordan fought the temptation to lie down on top of her.

  “Are you tired?” Jordan asked.

  “Totally. Kids are like the Energizer Bunny. They keep going and going.”

  “Oh. So, you probably just wanna stay in, huh?”

  Sophie sat up. “What’d you have in mind?”

  “We don’t have to, but I thought maybe you might want to…I don’t know…go somewhere with me. But if you’re tired, I totally understand. We could stay here if that’s what you want. It’s no big deal. Just whatever.”

  Sophie smiled. “You’re cute when you ramble.”

  “I ramble? Oh God, I do ramble, don’t I?” Jordan was normally eloquent. She’d done hundreds of interviews and was guest speaker for many events, but for some reason Sophie made her nervous.

  “Just a tad.” Sophie laughed. “So, where do you want to go?”

  “Well, I thought we could walk to the beach and have a picnic before the sun sets.”

  “I’d love to.” The sparkle in Sophie’s eyes ignited Jordan’s heart. She loved making her happy.

  With a blanket and picnic basket in hand, they walked down a trail to the ocean. Once they reached the beach, Sophie laid out a blanket in the sand, close enough so they could hear the waves, but not so close that they’d get soaked at high tide.

  “What’d you bring?” Sophie rubbed her hands together as Jordan began unpacking the basket.

  “We’ve got fried chicken, Mediterranean quinoa, Greek pasta salad, fudge brownies, and wine.”

  “Wow, that looks amazing. And wine, huh? You plan on getting me drunk, Ms. Lee?”

  “That depends. Just what do you do when you get tipsy, Ms. Sanders?”

  “Well, I guess you’ll just find out, now won’t you?” The mischievous twinkle in Sophie’s eyes caused heat to flood Jordan’s cheeks. “Did I embarrass you?” Sophie laughed.

  “Nooo. Sorry about the plastic. It’s not very environment-friendly,” Jordan said, wanting to change the subject.

  Sophie picked up a paper plate and frowned. She started to say something but then refrained. “It’s okay. Just this once.”