Mallory took several slow breaths then cleared her throat. The girl turned in her seat, her long, brown hair cascading down her back. The girl’s dark brown eyes held depth, and in that one brief moment of hesitation, Mallory almost smiled.
The girl stood and grasped Mallory’s hands. “You must be Mallory. I’m so happy to meet you. I’m Rachel Adams.” Her smile widened and her perfect, white teeth sparkled against her tanned skin. She motioned toward the table.
She sat in the chair opposite Rachel, but said nothing.
“The first thing we need to do is see how much you already know.” Rachel paused, reaching for a pen and notebook. “Can you tell me the last grade you completed?”
Mallory averted her gaze and pulled her lips in over her teeth. Rachel would look down on her no matter what she said.
Rachel smiled and slipped her hands under her chin. “If it makes you feel better, my boyfriend only completed eighth grade.”
“Really?” Her voice sounded hoarse like she hadn’t spoken in days. Cheeks warming, Mallory cleared her throat.
“He grew up Amish. They only go to school through the eighth grade. So whatever you say will not surprise me. And I promise not to repeat anything you tell me.”
Mallory peeked at the book covers.
“Why don’t I give you a placement test? We need to do that anyway.”
Mallory held the pencil with a firm grip until her knuckles whitened, but then read through the first problems and her muscles loosened.
Reading was the easiest portion. While working the math problems, she tried to make no mistakes. She would give her nothing to tell Victoria. Yet, Mallory wanted to believe Rachel.
Mallory examined the girl’s face for condemnation or disapproval. Instead she saw compassion.
Rachel shuffled through the papers. “Wow, you’re going to make this easy. I’m impressed you finished that fast. I’ll be right back.” She stood and strode from the room.
Mallory blinked. Still, she had to be careful. After all, Rachel was Victoria’s friend.
Moments later, the girl returned. “How would you feel about coming to my house tomorrow?”
A smile tugged. Did Rachel want to be her friend? The illusion faded into the dry air of the library. Of course not.
Propping her elbows on the table, Rachel faced her. “I’m a newly graduated hairdresser and scheduling clients now.” Her nose crinkled. “If it’s not a problem, it would definitely give me more time.”
“I’ll need to check with my boss, but that’ll be fine with me.”
Rachel handed her a few books. “Great, you study the first few chapters, and I’ll talk to Ms. Chamberlain about dropping you off at three tomorrow.”
Mallory’s mouth went dry. The thought of riding in the same car with Ms. Chamberlain caused a lump to lodge in her throat.
Rachel turned to face Mallory. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m looking forward to working with you and getting to know you. We’ll make it as fun as possible.”
Mallory took a deep breath. “Thank you.” Seeds of doubt invaded her mind. Maybe she was wrong. Could Rachel really mean what she’d said?
Nancy was sitting in the recliner reading a book when Mallory returned at six. “How did your first day of tutoring go?”
She slipped off her shoes. “Okay, I suppose.”
Nancy’s eyebrows furrowed. “Did you not like the girl?”
“She seemed nice.”
Mallory didn’t know Rachel well enough to have an opinion, but Nancy had never said a harsh word against anyone, even when she had the right to.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it.”
“I’ll be going to her house tomorrow.” The words slipped from Mallory’s mouth before she realized it.
“Oh, how nice for her to invite you.”
Mallory didn’t respond. What could she say? Rachel didn’t invite her over out of friendliness. It was for her convenience. And the thought of riding with Ms. Chamberlain made her feel sick all over again.
Eric stood at the filing cabinet searching through purchase orders when Paul entered the office and closed the door.
“You ready to go?”
Paul leaned back, his gaze directed on the ceiling. “Almost. I need to ask you something.” He grasped the desk with both hands, his knuckles turning white.
“Sounds important.”
Releasing the desk, he reached into his pocket and took out a black, velvet box.
“Don’t say it, Paul.”
He stood quickly and crammed the box back in his pocket. “I knew it was a bad idea. You don’t think Rachel’s ready?”
Eric doubled over in laughter. “I’m kidding, man. Relax. You’re way too uptight.” Paul had found the perfect person to spend his life with. He pushed away the envious thoughts inching to the surface.
“Ach, Eric. It’s not funny. You know how I feel about her, but what if deep down my Amish upbringing bothers her?”
This wasn’t the first time Paul had expressed his anxiety and Eric wanted to knock some English sense into him. “Don’t you think she would’ve given you some hint of that by now?”
Paul dropped his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. Eric’s covetous thoughts vanished into thin air. How could he feel anything other than admiration for the man? Though they had their share of disagreements, Paul had been nothing but a true friend.
Paul stood, his attitude miraculously reformed. “So how are things with you and Victoria?”
“It’s going pretty good, when I see her. She’s busy with school. I’m busy with work.”
Eric wouldn’t admit it, but maybe it was best their time had been limited lately.
“Rachel’s been asking about getting together.”
“It never seems to work out, but I’ll talk to Victoria, and we’ll get together soon.” He linked his hands behind his head. “So tell me. When are you planning to ask her?”
“Her birthday’s in a few weeks, if I can wait till then.”
Eric envied Paul’s love stricken expression. He had no one to blame for his loneliness but himself. Many opportunities had presented themselves, but he’d closed himself off. Could he have that same connection with Victoria? He couldn’t be sure, but he was willing to try for the first time in a long time.
Six
The room shrank in size, the windows painted black. Mallory yanked on the door, the lock clanging loudly against the wood. A voice echoed in the distance. Darkness concealed his presence.
How long had she been here?
She rattled the door knob again, her body shaking violently. The voice shifted—the boyish voice she’d longed to hear echoed through the night. ‘Where are you?’ She glanced out into the dark night, but a glimmer caught her eye from above. Stars peeked through the tall pines swaying in the wind. Her thoughts raced ahead to his promise. She ran through the woods, her legs giving out beneath her. The angry voice from behind closed in on her, drowning out the desperate cries of the one she searched for. She hadn’t spoken in days, weeks. Finally a scream, the longest, loudest one her body could hold escaped.
An icy tremor slithered down Mallory’s arms as she sat up in a cold sweat.
Nancy peeked inside the bedroom. “Are you okay?”
Mallory yanked the blanket to her chin, hiding the heavy motion of her chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” She took a deep breath. “It was just a dream.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“No, ma’am. Thank you.”
“You’re sure.”
Mallory nodded, her heart still pounding.
“Okay, see you in the morning.”
As she closed her eyes the same nightmare tried to pull her under. Forcing her thoughts to something else, the torturous images faded into a memory equally terrifying.
Mallory cowered under the covers, hands tight against her ears. “I told you to make sure she cleans everything before any homework. Chores come first. Homework last.”
“The teacher keeps threatening to contact social services.”
“This isn’t my problem, woman. I’m busy working. You make sure the brat gets this house clean before I get home. We’re doing her a favor. She’s twelve and old enough to do her part.”
At recess, Mallory sat in her usual spot by the edge of the woods. If she was going to get her schoolwork done, she’d have to do it here. A branch snapped somewhere behind her. She jumped to her feet and looked past the thick layer of trees.
A low voice, almost a whisper, called to her. “Hey. Hey, you. Come here.”
A dark-haired boy leaned against a tall pine, smiling. No one from the school yard noticed as she stepped across the overgrown grass edging the woods. He grabbed her arm.
Mallory jerked away from him. “Let go of me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was only trying to keep you from tripping.”
She searched his face, waiting. He didn’t move, but his eyes softened.
“What do you want?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. I go to the private school over there.” He waved his hand in the opposite direction.” I’ve seen you out here, by yourself, a lot. I thought you might like a friend, someone to talk to.”
Mallory turned to leave. No one had ever been nice to her, and she wasn’t about to trust this strange boy. What had she been thinking, walking in here?
“Wait. Please, don’t go. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’ll be waiting here tomorrow, if you want to talk.”
He turned to leave. Mallory didn’t speak, but waited until he disappeared.
She returned the next day, trying not to look behind her, but wanting to. His voice startled her, though she’d been expecting it. He came closer than the day before and spoke softly. “What’s your name?”
Mallory stared straight ahead
A small smile crept onto her face. She looked to make sure no one saw as she stood and slipped into the woods. He kept a safe distance and took a seat on a fallen tree. She sat next to him, a foot away. She gawked at him. She wouldn’t tell him her name, not now. Not ever.
“That’s okay.” He faced her and smiled, his eyes brightening. “We could come up with code names for each other. Sort of like a secret club.”
Her heart gave a leap. He was trying to be a friend, and the desire for acceptance overwhelmed her.
Her thoughts gradually surfaced to reality, but sleep never came.
The next morning dragged by as Mallory dreaded the ride to Rachel’s house. She considered cancelling the tutoring session, but didn’t want to disappoint Mr. Chamberlain.
Victoria stepped into the hallway as Mallory entered the last upstairs bedroom and her animated, whiny voice echoed off the walls.
“You don’t have to wait until this weekend … My classes are late, but that doesn’t matter … It’s up to you …”
Mr. Chamberlain stepped around the corner. “Mallory, I’ll be driving you to the young lady’s house this afternoon. Ms. Chamberlain is occupied.” He walked through the back door, expecting her to follow. “It’s two-thirty, why don’t we leave now? It never hurts to arrive a few minutes early.”
Every limb in Mallory’s body relaxed. “Yes, sir.”
Mallory bit her lip, forcing herself not to get her hopes up as they rode in silence to Rachel’s house. She longed for something she hadn’t had in a very long time—true friendship.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, sir.” It was the truth. She’d dreaded the ride for nothing and had wasted a whole day worrying. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“It’s my pleasure.” His lips twitched with a pleasant smile, beneath his mustache. “Here we are. I’ll be back to pick you up at six.”
Rachel bounded down the porch stairs moments later, heading in their direction. Mr. Chamberlain had already opened his door and exited.
“Hey, Mallory. Won’t you come in, Mr. Chamberlain? I’d like to introduce you to my mom.” Rachel’s voice bubbled like it had the day before.
They moved toward the porch and Rachel led them into the house. Ms. Adams stepped around the corner and greeted them as they entered. Mallory met Rachel’s mother’s gaze who greeted her with a warm tender smile. Ms. Adams expression held a depth of understanding. She concentrated on her with such favor that Mallory almost reached out to her. The moment was shattered as memories of her own mama battled for control.
“Mom, this is Mallory and Mr. Chamberlain.”
“It’s very nice to meet you both.”
Rachel took Mallory’s arm and led her into the kitchen leaving Mr. Chamberlain still speaking to her mother. Mallory inhaled the aroma of warm chocolate.
“I thought we’d have a snack before we started.” Rachel filled two glasses with ice. “Do you like lemonade?”
Mallory followed Rachel into the kitchen. “Yes, that sounds good.”
“I love it,” Rachel poured them both a tall glass and continued, “especially on a hot, summer day.”
After taking a seat at the table, Rachel pushed a tall sapphire vase filled with golden flowers to the side and set the books in the center. Mallory rubbed her hands together. Not in her wildest dreams did she think she’d ever have the chance to finish school. She had poured everything into her studies as a young girl, trying to ease the hopelessness surrounding her.
She took a bite of the chocolate cookie, and the morsels melted in her mouth. Mallory glanced at the girl sitting across from her. No matter how comfortable Rachel seemed to be trying to make her, Mallory had to be careful not to let her defenses down.
The words on the page blurred—Victoria’s threat still ringing through her ears. ‘It’s only a matter of time before Uncle Robert gets rid of you.’
“Hey, are you okay?” Rachel’s soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Yes.” Mallory cleared her throat. “I’m great.”
“I know we’ve only just met.”
Mallory shifted and stared vacantly at Rachel.
“But I wanted to ask you something.”
She leaned back and her breathing steadied. What would she possibly want to ask her?
“A few of my friends come over every Thursday night for Bible Study. I would love for you to join us.”
“Me?” It made no sense, yet something in Rachel’s voice seemed sincere.
“Yes, you.”
“I don’t know. I don’t even go to church.”
“That doesn’t matter. I would really like for you to come. We have a lot of fun. If you come Thursday and don’t like it, you don’t have to come back.”
“I…” she started to tell her she couldn’t, when unfamiliar voices caught her attention and she glanced toward the entry.
Two guys entered the kitchen and Mallory studied the books spread across the table. Her cheeks burned. Would they figure out she was studying for her GED?
Rachel stood. “Hey guys, I wasn’t expecting you until later. This is …”
“Mallory.” The low and confident voice speaking her name startled her, and she glanced up. The taller of the two young men stood in the doorway staring at her. The moment their eyes met, his smile faded.
Seven
How did he know her name? She’d never seen him before.
“Have you two already met?” Rachel asked.
“No.” She tried to conceal her fear, but her high-pitched voice leaked through her tight throat.
He stepped back, but the other man moved forward and stretched out his hand.
“I’m Paul. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” His brown eyes glimmered with friendliness. She acce
pted his hand, his calloused palm sharp against her smooth fingers.
The other guy remained silent, his eyes averted.
“What are you two up to?” Rachel asked Paul.
“We have a load to pick up this afternoon. We started to drive by, but couldn’t wait to bring you these.” Paul handed her a manila envelope.
“Oh, I’m so excited.” She turned to Mallory. “I’ll be right back.”
“Nice to meet you.” Paul turned to follow Rachel.
The other man remained near the door way, his gaze fixed on her. His smile, when it finally came, spread across his face in slow motion, deepening the fine lines under his deep, blue eyes. “I’m Eric. It’s nice to meet you, Mallory.” He slipped from the room leaving her with tormenting questions.
How did he know her?
“I hope you like them.” Eric’s deep voice rang through the open space of the hallway, and her mind raced. She pushed her chair back, intent on finding out who the mystery man was and how he knew her. What if he was someone connected to Jake?
“Do you and Victoria have plans tonight?” Rachel’s question resonated in slow motion through her mind as reality slapped her hard across the face. Victoria’s breakfast date. No wonder he looked at her that way.
The question punched straight through her—bolts of electric current sending shocks of humiliation to the very core of her soul. Eric was probably laughing at her—a lowly maid trying to get an education. Why had she ever agreed to this?
“I’m meeting her later,” Eric told Rachel.
Of course, no one would know her here. The minutes seemed like hours until they finally left.
Trying to appear busy when Rachel returned to the kitchen, Mallory hoped Rachel would forget she’d asked her to come on Thursday. She could never come now. Trying to fit in with Rachel’s friends would be useless.
“Sorry, I didn’t know they were coming by.” Rachel opened the packet, never looking in Mallory’s direction. “So, you said you hadn’t met Eric.”
Hot flashes of remembrance ripped through her. Victoria’s boyfriend. “Yes. I mean, no, not exactly.”
Broken Butterfly Page 5