Broken Butterfly

by Cindy Patterson

  “You were incredible.”

  She moistened her lips. “Thank you. So were you.”

  Without restraint, the desire to kiss her filled him. Regaining composure he lifted his gaze from her mouth before he spoke. “Well, I know Andrew’s waiting. I won’t keep you. I just had to tell you how amazing you were.”

  “Thanks, Eric.” She glanced past him, and her eyes darkened against the afternoon sun. “I came with Rachel.”

  “Oh.”

  She continued past him and the sweet scent of honeydew assaulted his senses. He breathed in, hoping to capture it … to hold on to something of hers for the rest of the day.

  Getting together to catch a movie had been Rachel’s idea.

  Weeks of working at the Chamberlains, tutoring sessions, and Rachel’s cosmopolitan classes left no time for anything else.

  Mallory relaxed and settled into the opening of “My Best Friend’s Wedding” with a big bowl of popcorn and a tall glass of Coke.

  Her stomach tightened. There was something she needed to say. She’d put it off too long. “Thanks for inviting me—for being a friend, Rachel. This has been the best summer of my life. And please, you don’t have to say anything. I just needed you to know.”

  Rachel straightened and paused the movie.

  Oh no.

  She pressed her hands against the floor and gave a slight smile. “You’re so sweet. You’ve been one of the best friends I’ve ever had, too. Thank you for telling me that.” She reached into the popcorn bowl. “Do you have plans for dinner?”

  “Not really. Nancy has a group thing tonight. I was going to fix a sandwich.”

  Rachel clasped her hands together. “Great, you can come with us.”

  Mallory pulled the pillow against her chest. “Come with us where? Who’s us?”

  “To dinner with me and Paul … you know, in a restaurant for a change. It would do you good to go out. Besides, you look so cute in that outfit.”

  Mallory shook her head. “I’m sure you two would have more fun without me tagging along.”

  “I’m inviting you. Please don’t make excuses, because you’re not very good at it.”

  A smile crept onto Mallory’s face. “I really don’t want to interfere on your date with Paul.”

  Rachel smirked. “Don’t worry. Paul won’t mind a bit. I promise.”

  After the movie, they took their popcorn and drinks to the kitchen. Mallory twirled the long layers of her hair. “Are you sure Paul won’t mind?”

  “I called him, remember? He said… Yah, bring her. Don’t be lecherich!”

  She laughed so hard at Rachel’s southern accent mixed with Pennsylvania Dutch, her jaws hurt. “What on earth does that mean?”

  “It means, don’t be ridiculous! He’s going to meet us there.”

  Three hours later, they reached the restaurant. The scent of grilled onions and cheeseburgers stirred from the kitchen. Mallory’s stomach rumbled. The waitress, a cute girl with dirty-blonde hair and flawless skin, led them to a corner booth.

  Why can’t I look like that?

  Mallory followed Rachel. Paul would rather be alone with Rachel, she was sure.

  When he entered the restaurant a few minutes later, heat flooded through her. Eric Matthews followed him. Mallory was unable to say anything, her emotions raging like a stormy sea.

  All sounds of the restaurant muted when Eric spoke. “Hi, do you mind if I join you?”

  She nodded. He slid in next to her, leaving only inches between them. She breathed in the woodsy scent of his cologne.

  The waitress chose that moment to approach the table, and Mallory was glad for the distraction. She exhaled. The waitress stared at Eric with such intensity Mallory wanted to rush to the bathroom to rid her uninvited thoughts. He doesn’t belong to me.

  Studying the menu, she read through all the cheeseburgers, trying to find a small one. Maybe it would be easier to eat a salad.

  “What’re you ordering?” Eric asked her.

  “I don’t know. What do you like?” Her voice quivered.

  Her jittery stomach drowned out her hunger. She wouldn’t be able to eat anything sitting this close to him. Mallory tried to relax, but couldn’t get the image of Eric’s fiancé from her mind. How would Victoria feel about her sitting next to him, inhaling his cologne, unable to eat in his presence?

  Mallory turned slowly, her throat parched. She was sitting beside Eric Matthews and there was nothing normal about that.

  Eric wanted to do something to make Mallory feel more comfortable. He found it difficult being this close to her. He wanted to know her—everything about her.

  “I like everything.” His arm accidently brushed against hers, and she snatched back a fragment of an inch.

  The waitress delivered their drinks and dropped her cup. A gush of water splashed into Mallory’s lap.

  Eric grabbed napkins from the dispenser and cleaned the water from the table, causing more to spill off and onto her jeans. The waitress apologized, but he couldn’t concentrate. He had to make this right. He didn’t want Mallory to leave. Not now that he had an opportunity to talk to her.

  “Mallory, I’m so sorry.” Eric searched her gaze.

  “It’s not your fault. I just need to get up.”

  He slid out of the seat. “Of course.”

  Mallory wiped her hands across her jeans. “It’s no use. I’m soaked.”

  He had to do something. “Can we get our sandwiches to go?”

  “Of course.” The waitress frowned. “I’m so sorry.”

  Mallory smiled, shaking her head. “It’s okay, really.”

  “Rachel, I’ll take Mallory home to grab a change of clothes, and we’ll meet you guys back at your house.”

  Mallory held her hand out. “No. I can’t let you do that.”

  “I’m not going to let this ruin your night.” He turned his attention back to Paul. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Will you grab our sandwiches? You guys enjoy your dinner. We’ll eat when we get to your house. Take your time. We’ll meet you later.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you in a little while.” Rachel waved as Eric placed a hand on Mallory’s shoulder and guided her through the door.

  “Eric, I can’t go with you.” She paused, rubbing her hands together. “Victoria is probably at the house, and she won’t appreciate her fiancé bringing me home.”

  “Her fiancé?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not engaged to Victoria. We’re only friends … and not even really …”

  She jerked her head toward him. “What happened? I mean I thought …”

  “Nothing happened. We were never more than friends. What gave you that idea?”

  “She told me.”

  “What? I can’t believe she said that.” He stared into the cloudless sky, his thoughts of how Victoria had treated Mallory churned. The way she spoke to her, the way she talked about her, the way he had allowed it. How could he have let it go on so long?

  “I’m not engaged to her.” He took a subtle step closer. “Can I please take you home to change?”

  Mallory slid into the passenger seat reluctantly. His boiling anger subsided. He wasn’t about to waste his time thinking about Victoria with Mallory sitting next to him. “You handled that better than I would have.”

  “What? Oh, you mean the water. It wasn’t her fault. She couldn’t help it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Mallory smirked. “The waitress, you didn’t notice how she stared at you?”

  Eric stole a peek at Mallory. She almost seemed comfortable. “No, how could you tell?”

  Her gaze fell. “I don’t know.”

  I like where this is going.

  He started the car. “What’s your favorite movie?”

  “I’ve never thought about i
t. But I like movies with a good story line.”

  “What kind of music do you like?”

  Her eyebrows crinkled. “Most anything.”

  He reached for the stereo and skipped to the third track on his CD. With a glance in her direction, he shadowed her smile. “This is one of my favorites.”

  “I’ve never heard it, but I like it. What’s it called?”

  “’Paradise’, by Cold Play.”

  He parked into the driveway and faced her. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “Are you and Andrew dating?” His heart sank as Mallory’s smile rose.

  She chuckled. “No, we’re just friends. Why would you think that?”

  He exhaled the deep breath he’d been holding as his gaze shifted across her golden-tanned face. “I just wanted to make sure.”

  Her shoulders slumped as her gaze fell to the ground. “You don’t need to wait for me. I should stay here. Tell Rachel I’ll see her tomorrow.”

  “I didn’t bring you home to drop you off. I’m not leaving, so please come back.”

  She glanced toward the main house, toward Victoria’s window, and frowned before walking quickly to the apartment.

  How can I bring it up? Should I just ask her?

  Little time passed before she stepped back through the front door, her concentration on Mr. Chamberlain’s house.

  “That was quick.”

  “I didn’t want to keep you waiting. I really should stay here.”

  “Well, that’s too bad, because I’m kidnapping you tonight.” He turned the key in the ignition.

  Every muscle in Mallory’s body tensed as she rode to Rachel’s house with Eric. Her feelings were dangerous. He acted like he wanted to spend time with her. That made no sense at all, especially when he could have someone like Victoria.

  They’re not engaged.

  Without warning, a torrent of butterflies swarmed through her stomach, catching her breath.

  Eric turned into Rachel’s driveway. “You changed so quickly that we’re way ahead of Paul and Rachel. So, we have about thirty minutes to spare.”

  “Did you want to go back to the restaurant? I’m sure the waitress would appreciate seeing you again.” She covered her mouth with her hand. She shouldn’t have said that.

  “I’m not interested in her.” His gaze deepened. His voice, a whisper, melted her with each syllable. “I was thinking about buying tickets for a show at the American Music Theater for next Saturday. I thought since you were joining our team you might like to see an onstage drama. Would you like to come with me?”

  Mallory froze. Did he just ask her for a date? No, Rachel and Paul had to be coming too.

  A hammer-like motion pounded against the wall of her chest, and she was certain he could see the movement. “Yeah, that sounds fun. Are we meeting here?”

  “Rachel and Paul aren’t going. They have plans that night. But I can pick you up.”

  Mallory was speechless.

  “I know exactly how to get to your place.”

  A shuddering laugh escaped her lips.

  “I’d love to take you to dinner before the show. If that’s okay, I’ll pick you up at five.”

  She mentally floated through the roof of the car. Eric asked her on a date … a real date with just the two of them for next weekend. What was she going to do? She couldn’t voice a response. Instead she nodded.

  Her world had shifted in just a few short months from tragedy to expectancy.

  “I’m happy you got the part of Elizabeth. You were brilliant.”

  Mallory fought to suppress a smile. “It was more you.”

  “Maybe we’re really good together.” All the laughter left his voice.

  Heat radiated up her neck and through her cheeks. Eric’s intense, low voice stirred a distant memory.

  “The performance will be amazing.” When he smiled, his eyes held a hint of teasing mingled with only a trace of sincerity.

  She breathed a lungful of the cool, night air seeping in through the open window.

  The headlights of Paul’s truck flickered behind them and her tense shoulders relaxed.

  Eric took her hand. “We should practice, you know, between rehearsals.”

  A thousand butterflies consumed her at the touch of his hand. “Okay.”

  He twisted in his seat and released her fingers. “How about tomorrow night?”

  She nodded, unable to voice any sensible words, breathless as she strolled up the driveway. She had fallen in love with this man, but it was impossible that he wanted her too. It’s not a real date. It couldn’t be.

  Eric caught up to her. He strode alongside her, so close, they’re bodies grazed with every step. Each touch created a new set of emotions … a new set of fears. She couldn’t allow the years of lies buried in her to surface. God was giving her this moment and she would enjoy it.

  Eighteen

  The next day, Mallory walked through the garden. Her gaze shifted from the roses to the tulips, but she only saw Eric’s face in each one.

  Andrew spoke, shattering her trance. “Hey, do you mind if I join you?”

  She cleared the knotted web in her throat. “Of course not.”

  “Were you planning on eating?”

  She glanced at her forgotten lunch bag. “Of course, I was just admiring the new buds.” She followed him to the bench and turned to face him. “You will not believe what Sebastian did to me.”

  “Nothing he does surprises me. Remember, I’ve been here a while. But tell me, I could use a good chuckle. Though I have to admit, I enjoyed watching you walk around dazed.”

  Mallory shook her head. “I wasn’t dazed.”

  “Okay, you were lost in thought.” He propped his hand under his chin. “Who were you thinking about?”

  Mallory crossed her arms. “Sebastian fixed me a special cup of coffee this morning.”

  Andrew’s smile widened.

  “You already knew, didn’t you? I didn’t see it until I brought the cup to my mouth for the last sip. I spewed coffee everywhere. Marla was not happy.”

  Andrew’s lips tightened into a straight line. “What did you see?”

  “A huge plastic bug glued to the bottom.”

  He doubled over in laughter. “Never trust Sebastian.”

  “Oh, so now you decide to warn me after I’ve been working here for months.”

  “Hey, what can I say? I just hate I missed it.” Andrew paused. “You were really good the other night, reading the part of Elizabeth.”

  “Thanks. You too. You’re a natural.”

  Between bites, she breathed deep and spread her hands flat across her thighs. “Can I ask you a question?” Where is Victoria?

  “Of course.”

  Taking a deep breath, she pushed the words from her mouth. “Victoria said she was engaged to Eric, but he said they were only friends. Do you know anything about that?”

  “She’s not engaged. But I’m not sure if they were only friends or not. I was getting irritated with Eric because Victoria behaved so ugly. But Rachel told me he left the party right after we did because of the way she treated you.”

  “Really?” Mallory focused on a dragonfly flitting from one spot to another. Her memory conjured up a blurred image of the young boy who’d stolen her heart years ago. Why could she no longer see his face? Why couldn’t she remember?

  “You like Eric, don’t you?”

  Mallory stood quickly and stared at him.

  Sebastian opened the back door. “Mallory, Marla needs your help.”

  What could she say to Andrew? I’m in love with your sister’s ex-boyfriend. Andrew’s smile oozed with pleasure at her expense.

  Saturday morning, Mallory woke in a cold sweat. It had been ten years ago, but the memories came
flooding back as if it happened yesterday.

  Dragonfly bent forward onto his knees. “In another year when I get a real job, you’ll never live with another foster family. You’ll be fifteen and I’ll be sixteen. They won’t be able to do anything to us.”

  The muscles around her heart constricted. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m going to take you away from here.”

  She watched a bunny, skittering through the grass. “You’ll find a beautiful girl to date and forget all about me.”

  He took her hand. “I’ll never forget you, Butterfly.”

  Shaking her head, she stared at her knees. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “I will always be here for you. You make every moment worth living. I want to be with you forever.”

  She sank into the fallen tree. The rough edges scraped her hands.

  He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. Mallory stood and walked deeper into the forest. She glanced over her shoulder to find him staring after her. The smile building inside lightened each step.

  She hated thinking about this—about him. It hurt too badly.

  Eric drove to the job site Thursday after lunch. Construction trucks and workers filled the hundred acre lot. The building was well under way and he stopped by to make sure things were going as expected. Pleased with their progress, he met Paul in the office trailer to go over the next phase.

  Eric entered the office and found Paul standing by his window. “Mr. Chamberlain will be here in about thirty minutes.”

  “Great.” He studied the plans spread across the table.

  Paul turned from the window. “You still planning to go to Rachel’s after work?”

  “Absolutely! I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but I asked Mallory to go out with me Saturday.”

  “Ach, is she going?”

  “She said she would, but I’m worried she might change her mind.”

  “Where are you taking her?”

  Eric grinned. “To dinner and a show at the theater.”

  “Gut for you. It’s about time.”

  Eric opened his briefcase. “You’re one to talk, waiting three years to ask Rachel to marry you. I’ll see you tonight.” Already adrenaline raced through him. He glanced at his watch. Only two more hours.