by Delia Latham
A moment later, she held her breath, afraid a single inhale might scare away the beauty fluttering around her on gorgeous black-and-orange wings. They fluttered on the ground and in the air. They hung in small clusters off the branches of the trees, wings overlapping. She’d been unaware of their presence in the branches until Declan pointed out thick clusters of leaves that were actually wings, all grouped together in a beautiful, quivering mass.
“Stand still,” Dec whispered. He laid a gentle hand on Raine’s arm, forcing her to stop moving.
Wide-eyed and breathless, she’d been spinning in a slow circle, trying to take it all in, determined to miss nothing. “Why?”
“Shhh.” Dec took her hand and pulled her close to his side. He spoke in a hushed whisper. “Don’t move.”
She sent him a questioning glance, but did as she was told.
Within a moment, a butterfly landed on their joined hands. Declan did not react, so Raine also remained still. Her motionless stance was rewarded when another butterfly alit on her arm…and then another on her shoulder. One by one, and then two by two, and then in rapid succession, other monarchs joined the first few brave insects, until Dec and Raine were covered in a fluttering orange-and-black wave.
Was it possible a heart could burst right out of a human chest? She’d never experienced anything even remotely close to what she felt standing next to Dec, holding his hand while butterflies performed a gentle dance on their bodies. Every flutter of every wing sent a sharp spear of wonder through her heart.
God’s creatures, in a waltz of joy and beauty…all around her, even right against her skin. What had she done to deserve this miraculous moment with this special man?
“Had enough?” Dec’s quiet murmur sent a few butterflies flitting off, but most of them stayed put.
“No. I mean, yes, I think so.” Her low laughter and whispered answer sent more of them fluttering off into the grove. “My heart can’t take any more.”
“I know what you mean.”
She felt his smile, although she couldn’t see it.
“Very slowly…just turn around. We’ll do it together. One…two…three.”
He swung to the right, leading Raine with him, until they both faced the other direction. By the time they’d made a full turn, all but a few of the lovely monarchs had flown off to join the scattered clusters on the eucalyptus branches.
One large specimen still rested on Raine’s hand, seemingly unfrightened by her change of position. She slowly lifted it level with her eyes. “Aren’t you lovely?” she whispered.
The butterfly’s wings lifted and lowered in a graceful sway of movement, but the creature stayed where it was.
For an instant, Raine had the distinct impression it actually met her gaze, eye to eye…but that was just silly. “Thank you for making my visit unforgettable, little one.” Leaning in, she blew a soft breath onto her hand, and the butterfly lifted upward a few inches.
It hovered there, just in front of her face, for three seconds…five…ten.
Skye. Her sister’s face skittered across her mind, pinched at her heart in a lightning flash of memory.
Then the butterfly was gone, along with the vague recollection.
Dec turned her to face him and used one thumb to gently brush a tear off her cheek.
Raine gasped. She’d been crying? She raised her gaze to his, and he smiled. She held her breath, caught up in one of those rare, almost-perfect moments—the kind most people never know in an entire lifetime.
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her so close she could feel the pounding of his heart. She struggled to breathe while he brushed away another tear, his eyes tracing a path from her eyes to her mouth.
Then he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his own. With a low moan, he slid from one corner of her mouth to the other, tasting, exploring. The kiss was gentle, but an underlying passion stirred just beneath the surface.
Raine felt Dec’s restraint as he kept the embrace sweet. She returned the kiss, even allowed it to deepen…just enough to show him she shared the emotion pulsing between them in powerful waves. Her “almost-perfect moment” had attained complete and utter perfection.
****
They had lunch in a busy seafood restaurant on the pier.
Raine seemed even quieter than usual, but Dec found himself more comfortable in her company than he’d ever been with any woman.
The ride home was quiet as well.
He lifted Raine’s hand from her lap and tucked it into his own. Wide, almond-shaped green eyes met his gaze, and she gave him a slow, sweet smile.
Dec drew a deep breath. Something was different in those emerald depths…they held a restfulness today, an inner peace that was new. Until now, she had seemed to hold herself somewhat aloof, lost in an ocean of sadness that lurked beneath the lovely face and polite demeanor. But then again, he’d never been a pro at understanding women, so maybe he’d been mistaken. But he didn’t think so.
“Raine…there were tears. Back in the grove.”
She nodded. “I didn’t know until you brushed them away. It was such a beautiful moment. My heart felt so incredibly full—almost to bursting.”
He hesitated, but felt compelled to press on. “So, you weren’t sad? I know the butterflies kind of have an overwhelming effect sometimes, but…are you OK, Raine? Sometimes I think you’re hiding something—something deep and painful. You know you can talk to me about anything, don’t you?”
She squeezed the hand he held. “I know. And I will, when the time is right.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He wanted to press, to insist, to know why sadness lurked so deep inside her, why those beautiful eyes always held an elusive shadow. But something told him she’d shared enough of herself today. She clearly wasn’t one to lay everything right out there for the world to inspect, and he didn’t want to push her away. He could wait…at least for a while.
He took her back to Paradise Pines and left her at the door of her apartment with a touch of his lips to each of the fetching dimples on her cheeks.
She smiled. “This has been the most amazing day of my life.”
“Mine too…and I’ve been to the grove when the butterflies were so thick we had to look down before we looked up into the trees.”
Her wing-shaped eyebrows, exactly the color of the raven hair that tumbled over her shoulders, took a tiny dive toward each other. “Why?”
“To make sure we weren’t stepping on them. They’re that thick earlier in the year. Still…you made today’s visit my favorite of any I’ve ever made to the grove.”
Raine traced his lips with one finger. “It wasn’t me, Dec. I think…I think it was God.” She unlocked her door and stepped inside. “See you soon?”
“Not soon enough.”
He left, his heart full of something he’d never felt before. Something that filled him with exultation, while at the same time sending sharp darts of fear through his very being.
8
For two days, he tried without much success to concentrate on his work. Raine filled his mind every waking moment, and flitted into his dreams at night. The feeling was powerful and all-consuming…and it made him shake in his woodsman’s boots. He couldn’t afford to let himself feel so deeply for this woman.
Far too soon, she’d return to her real life and the hard-earned career that awaited her.
Getting too close to her on an emotional level wouldn’t be smart. He’d already gotten far more involved than was a good idea.
On the evening of the second day after the Pismo trip, Dec had started putting together a simple dinner when his cell phone buzzed. A few minutes later, he rang off and dropped into the nearest chair, wearing a grin so big it hurt his face.
He hadn’t held out much hope of hearing from Roland Mills, owner of Mills Gallery, Santa Barbara—and certainly not this soon. He’d only shown the man his work a few weeks back…not long before Raine arrived in
Cambria.
The bear he’d been working on when she’d crashed into his world had been commissioned by Mills, and the finished sculpture convinced the man to showcase his work. A successful show with Mills Gallery would be a major step in Dec’s goal of making an impression on the art world.
He chuckled. As it turned out, breaking Grizz’s ear had been a good thing. The creative fix he’d come up with had made the bear sculpture unique. No one else would have a ragged-eared grizzly bear, because most artists tended to seek perfection. But after taking a close look at the damage Raine had caused, Dec had known he had to retain the look. The ear appeared to have been lost in a fight with some other wild creature. It wasn’t entirely missing, just ragged and torn…and it looked amazing.
He’d have to remember to thank Raine for barging in on him that morning.
He hadn’t seen her since their visit to Pismo. And now he’d be crazy busy up until the art show. Mills wanted as many more pieces as Dec could finish before the big day. He only had a little time to turn out a selection of carvings no less stunning than the bear.
But somehow he still had to keep his promise to his dad and Mayor Quinn.
He huffed out a frustrated breath. Two weeks ago, he’d been all out of sorts at being asked to “babysit” a pampered city girl. Now he found himself disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with Raine.
In truth, less time on his hands was probably a good thing. With his career finally taking off in the right direction, now was not the time to be distracted by a woman—and certainly not one who had zero intention of sticking around Cambria. Dec couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. This beautiful area of the California coast would always be his home.
Raine had big plans and an important career in her future.
So did he. He’d have to keep that in mind. No matter how beautiful or how appealing, he had to keep her at arm’s length, despite the constant, overwhelming urge to pull her close and hold her tight. That would be a big mistake.
He’d yielded to that temptation in Pismo and still couldn’t forget the feel of her in his arms, couldn’t shake the persistent longing to hold her again. Without any effort on her part, and probably without wanting to, Raine was invading his entire world.
Not liking the trouble in his soul, he stepped outside and walked to the clearing where he’d first met the visiting Pasadena “princess”—not to work, but to seek a bit of peace. He always seemed to find it here, in the midst of nature, with his hands busy and his mind often turned to quiet prayerfulness. Now he wandered the area, breathing a petition for tranquility of mind and for answers regarding the woman who seemed to be effortlessly gaining a hold on his heart.
“Lord, You know I can’t go there now, right? I don’t have time, and I’m not ready—not by far. I’m asking for Your strength, Father, ’cause I’m sure not finding any of my own.”
He kicked at the ground with the toe of his boot, and a small object zipped into the air and landed a few feet away. Dec picked it up and grinned.
The missing piece of poor Grizz’s ear.
He stood, turning the small chunk this way and that in his hands, and the grin faded to a quiet, reflective smile. The splintered wood no longer held any resemblance to an ear. His natural, creative instincts opened his eyes to a possibility he could not resist. Dec’s heartbeat quickened. He slipped the small object into his pocket and headed back to the house. He’d be working on his front porch tonight.
His heart, mind, and dreams weren’t enough. Raine had worked her way into every part of his being, including his creativity.
So much for keeping her at arm’s length.
****
Raine picked up a gorgeous glass sand dollar in shades of blue and purple. Absolutely exquisite! She turned it over and caught her breath. Etched into the back side, a pair of angel wings added a divine touch to the art glass.
Miss Angie.
She’d been watching for a perfect gift for the sweet lady whose gentle smile and words of wisdom grew dearer upon every encounter. She’d finally found it, here in Harmony.
“Raine, is that you?”
Startled, she looked up just in time to absorb the impact of a tiny ball of energy with spiky auburn hair and eyes too big for her face.
Returning Shay’s exuberant greeting, she grinned. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Cambria tickling someone’s toes?”
“I closed the shop today. Something in Harmony was calling my name…and now I know what it was. What’ve you got there?”
Raine handed over the sand dollar. “I was thinking of getting this for Miss Angie.”
Shay squealed. “Yes, yes, yes! It’s perfect!” She placed it back in Raine’s hand. “So pay for it, and let’s go.”
With a lighthearted laugh, Raine obeyed. Her day had just taken off in a brand-new direction.
They left the little shop where, before her fascinated eyes, the glass artists had performed the intricate work of creating a vase in shades of teal and blue that might have been siphoned right out of the ocean.
Shay danced around like an excited child. “I’m so glad I ran into you. We have to spend the day together, you know. Oh—” She paused for half a heartbeat. “You don’t have plans, do you?”
Raine didn’t have time to shake her head.
Shay pulled her along, headed across the narrow road. “Never mind. If you do, change them, OK? This is our day.”
“I have no plans more important than being with you,” Raine answered through a burst of delighted laughter.
Miss Angie had recommended a trip to Harmony—population eighteen—to see the glassworks shop.
Raine made the short drive down Highway 1, planning to visit the tiny community and then return to the lodge. She had little desire to make another pass through Cambria’s numerous tourist-targeted retailers. The lodge had become home to her. The place resonated a subtle peace and comfort that Raine absorbed like a thirsty sponge. She’d be happy to never leave the grounds of Paradise Pines for the duration of her stay.
But with Shay in the picture, enjoying a bit of girl time seemed a perfect way to spend the day.
“Let’s leave your car here and jet into Cayucos in mine.” The vivacious woman stopped talking barely long enough to round the hood of the vehicle and bounce into the driver’s seat. “It’s just down the road, and—oh! Do you like antiques? They have the absolute best antique stores in Cayucos.”
Raine was firmly ensconced in the passenger seat of the SUV, buckled in, and rolling down the road before she could properly take in the sudden change of plans. She bit back a grin. Being with Shay Light was like being on a rollercoaster—she always came away a little dizzy, but exhilarated and ready for another ride.
“Nothing like a little sister time, is there?” Shay half sang the question, obviously jazzed about the turn of events.
Sisters.
Raine pulled in a calming breath and planted a smile on her face, refusing to allow the word to ruin her day yet again. Skye was gone, and as badly as it hurt, she couldn’t keep falling apart at every mention of the word sister.
“We’ll have fun,” she murmured.
Shay seemed unaware of anything amiss.
And they did have an amazing time together. Keeping up with Shay as she bounded from one shop to another and from booth to booth was a challenge. Over and over Raine found her hand captured in the other woman’s smaller one and her body hauled unceremoniously across the floor toward something she absolutely had to see.
Her tummy had long since set up a fuss for lunch when Shay appeared at her side once again, a chain draped over one closed hand.
“Raine, look.” Something in the quiet tone, so unlike her friend’s normal exuberance, sent a sizzle of something electric through Raine’s heart. “Don’t ask me why, but you have to have this.”
She opened her hand under a lamp on a nearby shelf.
Raine stared, transfixed.
Lamp
light caught the delicate glass wings of the butterfly on Shay’s palm, lending the illusion of movement.
For a second, Raine thought the creature was real, but quickly realized it was a fan pull made of delicate, hand-blown glass quite similar to those she’d been admiring in Harmony. “It’s exquisite!” She touched one trembling finger to the brightly colored glass and blinked back hot tears.
“I’m buying it for you.” Shay squeezed her hand. “When I saw it…” She paused, captured her bottom lip between her teeth, and made a charmingly childlike face. “Don’t laugh, OK? I swear I heard a tiny whisper in my ear. Or”—She shrugged, and a shadow of uncertainty softened her voice—“maybe it was in my head. I’m really not sure, but I definitely heard it, Raine. I did.”
“Wh-what did it say?” Doubting Shay’s statement never crossed her mind.
“What I heard was ‘Tell Raine it’s time to fly.’” Wide eyes nearly consumed Shay’s pixie face.
The room spun in a sickening circle. Raine forced a couple of deep breaths, while Shay’s words boomeranged in her mind like a persistent echo.
“It’s time to fly.”
“Time to fly.”
“Fly…”
“Fly…”
Raine gripped the counter under white knuckles, her vision fading in and out.
Shay’s voice mingled with that of the alarmed shop owner, reaching Raine’s consciousness from a distant, faraway place.
9
The two women helped Raine into an ancient rocking chair.
Shay stroked her forehead with cool fingers, and gently brushed her hair off her face.
The kindly proprietress hurried to a room at the rear of the small store. She returned in a heartbeat and handed Shay a cup of water.
“Here, sweetie, have a drink. Then we’ll go get something in your tummy.” Shay held the rim of the container to Raine’s lips. “We should’ve had lunch a long time ago.”
Raine sipped at the water, her gaze fixed on her knees. If only she could sink through the floor and out of sight. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured.