by Karla Doyle
He could turn back. Pretend her hint about meeting here had gone over his head. That’d buy him time. Not a bad thing, considering everything at stake.
Nope, not this time. He wasn’t folding just because the stakes were high.
Tropical air surrounded him as he opened the final door and stepped into butterfly central. Small ones, big ones, in every color imaginable. In the air, on the plants, at the feeding stations. There had to be hundreds of butterflies in here, if not thousands. They were everywhere. So were the plants, many reaching all the way to the elevated, glass ceiling.
He followed the path toward the sound of tumbling water. A narrow waterfall fed a pond at the center of the room. Koi fish streaked the surface with bright orange and red. Turtles sunned themselves on the surrounding rocks. Candace had been right about the place being magical. Only one thing could make it better.
That one thing was in here somewhere, he’d seen her car in the parking lot. Yes, there were a ton of identical cars in the city, but only one with her license plate, a combination of digits and letters he’d committed to memory the first time he’d seen it.
He left the pond area and continued up the path, consciously maintaining a slow, reasonable pace, when what he really wanted to do was whip through the place until he spotted her. Sneak up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist while kissing her neck. He’d do that if she were alone. Not an option with her daughter by her side. He’d have to come up with a much subtler greeting.
Subtle had never been his style. He should’ve hit up his sister for some specific suggestions on how to approach Candace’s daughter. His only experiences with little kids had come while on duty. Special events and school visits. Without his uniform, he didn’t know how to start.
He’d have to figure it out on the fly, because Candace and her daughter were now straight ahead. Fortunately for him, they were currently focused on a shiny, blue butterfly. He had about five more seconds to come up with a great opening line. One that’d impress the mother and the kid.
Macy gasped as the big butterfly took off from its resting place and flew directly over her head, passing so close it almost touched her golden hair. She and Candace turned at the same time, both pairs of eyes opening wide at the sight of him.
“Mommy, look,” Macy said, pointing. “The butterfly landed on that man. Maybe it thinks he’s a tree with a big yellow flower.”
Yup, he owed his sister for the tip about wearing something bright. “Guess I put on the right shirt today.”
“You definitely did.” Candace’s smile was brighter than any flower or butterfly in the place. Brighter than the sun streaming through the peaked glass ceiling. And that amazing smile was all for him. She wrapped her arms around Macy from behind and used their clasped hands to motion toward him. “Baby girl, this man is my friend, Jake. Jake is a police officer.”
“He’s not wearing a uniform.”
“Because I’m busy being a big yellow flower.” The joke earned him a giggle from Macy. A good sign. One to build on. He held his breath and crouched as steadily as possible. Luck must be on his side today, because the butterfly stayed on his shoulder. “It’s very nice to meet you, Macy.”
Blue eyes very much like her mother’s narrowed. “How do you know my name?”
“Your mom talks about you a lot.”
Macy tipped her face upward. “Did you tell him about me, Mommy?”
“I did. Is that okay?”
Macy’s gaze returned to his face. Good thing he didn’t have any dirty thoughts rolling around in his head at the moment, because it felt like the little girl could see right through him.
She looked up at her mom again and nodded. “It’s okay.”
And he’d passed. The first test, anyway.
Candace stroked Macy’s chin, a touch light enough to make the little girl giggle and squirm.
“Oops, I scared it,” Macy said, when the blue butterfly took off from his shoulder. “Can you make another one land on you?”
Didn’t he wish. If he had the power to control beautiful creatures, he’d be a lot further ahead with Candace. He shook his head while rising from his crouched position. “If I could do that, I’d get one to land on you instead.”
She nodded and broke free of Candace’s arms, grabbing her mother’s hand and tugging.
His answer had satisfied the little girl, but staying in one place had obviously lost its appeal. So had his status as a big yellow flower. Without a butterfly on his shoulder, he was just another grownup. One who was taking up valuable butterfly time.
“Come on, Mommy. I want to find another sleepy blue one. And a green one.”
That was his cue. “It was nice to meet you, Macy. Maybe I’ll see you again.”
“Okay.” Not much enthusiasm there, but no negativity either.
Baby steps. Better than nothing.
“You’re welcome to join us.” Candace’s words stopped him before he’d taken a step. “If you want to.”
“Yeah, absolutely.” Asking her daughter’s permission would be the right thing. Couldn’t bring himself to do it, though. Couldn’t take the chance the little girl might say no. “Lead the way, ladies. Let’s go find Macy some blue and green butterflies.”
Candace
Though she made a point not to use her cell while spending time with Macy, this moment merited an exception. She pulled out her phone and quickly tapped him a text.
If I could kiss you right now, it would be a good one.
“You should check that,” she said, when his cell buzzed from inside his pocket.
His gaze dropped to her phone, its screen face-up and visible in her hand. The smile on his face grew as he pulled out his cell and read her message. Then tapped in one of his own.
Every kiss with you is a good one.
So many possible responses. Only one really mattered right now. She typed it in quickly and hit Send.
I’m happy that you’re here. Thank you for meeting us.
There’s nowhere I’d rather be, sweets. Thank you for trusting me.
Seriously, this man. No point in denying it, or fighting it. Every day—no, every minute—she fell for him a little more. She tucked her phone into her purse before her impulse to send a mushy-gushy reply got the best of her.
Jake winked as a muffled chime rose from her purse, shaking his head when she reached for the flap. “Later. It’s not going anywhere,” he said, sliding his cell into the back pocket of his shorts. “Neither am I.”
Chapter 9
Candace
A cloud rose from the pot as Candace lifted the lid. The range hood above the stove whisked away the steam, but not the delicious aroma of Italian spices. She gave the tomato sauce a stir, replaced the lid, then turned her attention to the table.
Three plates, three cups, three sets of cutlery. The small round table was meant for two people, and that’s all it had ever seated. The surface barely accommodated the extra place setting. Maybe it was a sign.
Served her right for acting impulsively. Again. Suggesting Jake meet them at the butterfly conservatory the other day had worked out better than she could’ve hoped. She’d taken a bigger risk inviting him to join them for the remainder of their outing, but that’d gone smoother than silk too. Jake’s presence hadn’t seemed to bother Macy in the slightest.
Even today, when Candace told her baby girl that “the man from the butterfly place” would be coming over for supper, Macy hadn’t batted an eye, hadn’t questioned her mother at all. And that was the problem.
Macy was a polite, respectful little girl, but she was still very much a five-year-old. She was certainly no stranger to the words who, what, when, where, and why. Yet she hadn’t uttered any of those words with regard to Jake. Aside from a generic, “Okay,” Macy hadn’t said anything about him.
Candace removed the plates, napkins, and cutlery from the table and placed them on the kitchen counter. A handful of steps took her to the adjoining living room, where Mac
y sat cross-legged on the floor, hunched over her coloring book.
“Baby girl,” she said, drawing Macy’s attention. “My friend Jake will be here soon. Would you set the table while I finish getting the food ready?”
“Okay.” That word again.
The urge to ask if anything was wrong nearly escaped Candace’s mouth as she watched Macy set the table. Macy was a joyful, outgoing child, and the little girl carrying plates and cutlery from the counter to the table was silent to the point of sullen. Macy had always been talkative and open with her feelings. Something was bothering her. Whatever it was, it couldn’t continue.
“You’re awfully quiet.” Candace placed her palm across Macy’s forehead. “Are you feeling sick?”
Macy shook her head. “No. May I go back to the living room now?”
“Sure.” She leaned against the wall, watching her daughter return to her cross-legged position in the living room.
Macy selected a blue crayon and resumed coloring her butterfly picture. No sign of frustration, anger, or distress. Just intent focus on the task at hand.
Maybe Candace was looking for problems where none existed. Macy’s recent tendency toward silence coinciding with Jake’s appearance in her life could be a fluke.
She had to know for certain. Even if the answer could potentially change the happiness Jake’s presence had brought to her life.
She moved to the living room, curling her legs beneath her on the floor as she sat beside her daughter. “If you don’t want my friend Jake to come over for a visit, he won’t come over. Simple as that. You can tell me, and that’ll be the end of it.”
“Jake can come visit. He’s nice.”
Relief washed over Candace. “I think so too.” Something was still up, though. The air was thick with the silence created by unspoken thoughts. “Is something else bothering you?”
Macy shook her head without looking up. Then nodded. “Why doesn’t my daddy come to visit?”
Candace’s stomach clenched. The day she’d dreaded for years had arrived. She’d spent countless hours preparing answers for every possible question. Now that the moment to draw on those imagined scenarios had arrived, nothing wise, insightful, or kind came to mind. “Your dad lives far away.”
“Grammy and Papa live far away and they come see us sometimes.”
Not in the beginning and still not often, but Candace would never share those details. Plus, the point couldn’t be disputed. Macy’s maternal grandparents did live far away—much farther than her deadbeat dad—and they did come visit. Twice a year, bearing bags full of gifts for their only grandchild, along with a heaping pile of judgment for their only child.
“I wish I had a good answer for you.” She stroked Macy’s soft hair while searching for truthful words that wouldn’t break her daughter’s heart. “Your dad went away to finish school. He wasn’t ready to be a grownup and a parent.”
“What about now? Is he ready now?”
The questions squeezed at Candace’s heart. “I don’t know, baby girl. I haven’t talked to him in a long time.”
“Why not?”
Because Ken was a selfish douchebag who’d been more than happy to sign away his parental rights five years ago, that’s why. He’d thanked her for relieving him of any and all parental obligations, declined her offer to be kept in the loop about Macy’s life. She hadn’t contacted him since because he didn’t deserve an opportunity to change his mind.
She pushed the anger down, swallowed the ball of emotions lodged in her throat. “I’m not sure I have his phone number anymore. But I will try to get in touch with him, if that’s what you want.”
Macy’s rosebud lips turned down instead of up, cloudy emotion rolling through her expressive eyes. Her gaze shifted toward the front hall as the doorbell chimed. “Jake’s here.”
“Jake can wait. Or I can tell him to go home for now, if you want to talk some more.”
Macy shook her head. “I don’t want to talk anymore. Jake can come in.”
“Okay.” She rose, kissing Macy’s head on the way up. “I love you, baby girl. More than anything or anybody in the world. You will always be the most important person in my life.”
“I love you too, Mommy.”
The walk to the door didn’t give her enough time to process what’d just happened. She paused with her hand on the knob and took a deep breath, schooling her outward features as far away as possible from her current inner state. Smile in place, she opened the door. “Hi.”
“Hi.” No sooner was the word out of his mouth, then his usual handsome smile thinned to a line. “Are you okay? Did something happen at work?”
She shook her head, a truthful answer to both questions. They’d only known each other a few weeks—how could he see through her façade so easily?
He stepped inside, closed and locked the door while setting the bag he’d brought on the floor. “Hey,” he said, gently cupping her chin. “I’m here. Let me help. What can I do?”
“Nothing. Not about this. It’s—” Even lowering her voice, she couldn’t take a chance her daughter might overhear. She pointed toward the living room.
Jake nodded. Thank God for an intelligent, intuitive man. “Dinner smells great.” And another thanks, this one for a man who knew when to change the subject.
“I’m glad you think so. I remember you mentioned an Italian restaurant you enjoy.”
The smile he’d arrived with returned, full force. “I remember that conversation too.”
This time, when she shook her head, she paired it with a smile. One that came easily, thanks to Jake. “I told you it wasn’t necessary to bring anything,” she said, as he retrieved the shopping bag. “Worried that my cooking might disappoint?”
“You could serve me a bowl of dirt and I’d wolf it down and ask for seconds. Nothing about you could ever disappoint.”
“Smooth as ever.”
“I stand behind every word. But this bag has nothing to do with dinner. It’s for—” He pointed toward the living room. “You can check it out first, if you want. Make sure it’s okay.”
She shook her head, waved him off as he separated the bag’s handles to make the contents visible. “I trust you.” And she did. She really did.
He followed her from the hall, leaving a healthy gap between them as they entered the living room. “Hi, Macy.” He tilted his head to get a better look at the drawing in front of her. “That’s a nice picture you’re working on.”
“Thanks.” That’s all her daughter gave him. One word. Not even an upward glance.
Good thing Jake wasn’t a quitter, because Macy clearly wasn’t going to make this easy for him. Desperately as Candace hoped they’d click, either it would happen organically or it wouldn’t.
“Excuse me while I stir the sauce.” She motioned toward the couch while walking to the adjoining kitchen. “Make yourself at home, Jake. I’ll just be a minute.”
“Is blue your favorite color, Macy?”
“For some things.” Again, Macy answered without looking away from her drawing.
“Things like butterflies, I’m guessing.”
“Mmm-hmm.” More coloring. Zero eye contact.
Candace bit her lip, forcing herself to stay quiet. So far, Macy had been detached, not rude. As long as the latter point remained the case, Candace would not interfere. That didn’t stop her from crossing her fingers though.
Jake set the shopping bag on the floor near Macy’s drawing, then settled on the couch. “I remember that you liked the big, shiny, blue butterfly that landed on me.”
“Uh-huh.” The comment may have been indifferent, but the bag definitely had Macy’s attention. Her attention diverted to the bag every few seconds. She didn’t stop coloring altogether, but the frequency and ferocity of crayon strokes dwindled with each distracted moment.
Over on the couch, Jake was doing a great job of pretending not to notice. His gaze traveled over the room as if taking it in for the first time. “This is a n
ice living room.”
“Thanks,” Candace said, setting two glasses of water on the coffee table as she joined him on the couch. “We’re planning to buy a little house one day, but we like it here for now.”
“Yeah?” Jake’s eyebrows rose. “That’s great. What areas are you looking at?”
She shouldn’t have shared her house-buying plan with him. Not when she couldn’t tell him that her intended move would take her as far away from Lucky’s—and by default, from him—as possible. “I’m not sure. It’s still a ways off yet.”
Jake nodded, his intrigued expression intact. “My mom has a bungalow in Stanley Park. It’s a good area. Tucked out of the way, quiet streets, schools nearby. There’s been some turnovers recently, due to seniors selling. Prices aren’t crazy-high, because a lot of the homes need updating. If that kind of project appeals to you, I’d be happy to take you and Macy around some time. While we’re over there, we can stop at my mom’s place and have a swim. She has a heated pool with a slide.”
Between the shopping bag at her side and the offer to go swimming, Macy’s seeming resolve to ignore Jake crumbled. Wide-eyed, she whipped around to face them. “Can we, Mommy? Can we please go swimming?”
“Yes.”
“Yay!” Macy sprang to her feet, smiling and clapping.
Jake’s reaction was less animated, but his full-size grin came darn close.
“When can we go, Mommy?”
“Jake is a very busy police officer. He’ll have to check his schedule and let us know when he’s available. It might be a while before he has time.”
“I have this Saturday off, if that works for you, ladies.”
“Yes, please!” More clapping, more smiling, this time, with jumping. “Can we go swimming on Saturday, Mommy?”
“Yes.”
Macy launched herself at the couch, hugging her mother with enough force to push Candace into the backrest. “Thank you, Mommy.”