Broken Butterfly Page 2

  After flipping the lamp switch, he unfolded the small, note paper wrapped in pink lines and yellow dandelions on the table next to his bed. The number Victoria had printed in perfect handwriting beckoned an inner yearning he hadn’t felt in years. Her blonde hair had shimmered in the sunbeams from the skylight above the Chamberlain’s foyer, the light scent of her perfume still lingered in his memory.

  How could he even consider calling the bold, beautiful woman he barely knew? But then again, what could it hurt? Loneliness had become a way of life, his job requiring long hours—his well-deserved punishment for the mistake he’d made years ago.

  A nudging of gratification edged the border of his conscience. He was awarded, yesterday morning, the project that would ease the guilt he wore like a cloak around his neck day after day.

  With strong assurance, he determined to call her first thing in the morning, before he could change his mind.

  Moonlight spilled through his window, and he turned on his side. His confidence waned as past mistakes edged into his conscience. How could he move forward, when he couldn’t find a way to forgive himself?

  A few feet away, a small animal, eyes glowing in the dark, skittered by and disappeared in the burrow of a tree. The blood rushing to Mallory’s head slowly dwindled back to normal, and she took a full breath.

  A soft light burned through the window. She inched forward with each moment she waited. What was she doing here?

  The porch light shined and the front door slipped open. A woman wrapped in a robe stepped forward. She made a motion for Stephanie to come in, but Stephanie pointed in Mallory’s direction. They talked for only seconds before Stephanie beckoned Mallory to join them.

  All the fight drained from Mallory, and she left the safety of the trees. Each step she took was quicker than the last. She would rather die than have Jake find her.

  Mallory followed them in and the lady closed the door behind them, stirring a floral fragrance through the small space.

  “Mallory, this is Nancy.”

  In the murky light, Nancy watched her with gentle eyes. Mallory expected stiffness, not kindness. The lady brushed her fingers through her gray-streaked hair. Tiny creases lined her cheeks as she smiled and reached for Mallory’s hand. “It’s nice meeting you. I have a spare bedroom you girls should feel comfortable in. Let me get you something for those scrapes.”

  Mallory brushed a finger across her blood-stained ankles. She hadn’t felt any pain. Nancy returned minutes later with a washcloth and bandages.

  “I’ll help her.” Stephanie took the items and hugged Nancy. “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome. Let’s get you two settled in.” Her comforting voice produced memories of a long, lost dream.

  Nancy led the way through the kitchen and into the living room stacked with boxes. Moonlight streamed in through the windows as they entered a large bedroom with a queen bed and matching dresser set.

  Nancy set extra blankets on the edge. “If there’s anything else you ladies need, let me know. I’ll be in the next room. You girls sleep well. There’ll be plenty of time to talk in the morning.”

  Why had this woman willingly accepted them into her home? She hadn’t asked any questions. Everyone always expected something in return. Didn’t they?

  Mallory stood next to the bed and clung to her bag. “What did you tell her?”

  “I told her you weren’t safe and needed someplace to go.”

  “And?” She glanced at the door. “Just like that, she’s willing to let us stay here?”

  Stephanie yawned as she faced her. The soft glow of the lamp cast a strange glimmer in her eyes. “She’s leaving tomorrow.”

  Mallory recalled the boxes stacked against the wall. “You mean she’s moving? Oh.” At least she was safe for tonight. Her chest tightened and she grabbed the bed frame as reality set in. “Where will I go? I can’t go back to the house, not now. Jake knows …”

  “She wants you to go with her.”

  “What do you mean?” Mallory forced her voice to a whisper. “Go with her where? She doesn’t know me.”

  “I had already told her about you.”

  “You did what?” Her tone jumped a whole octave. “Why?” Mallory turned her back on Stephanie. Tears burned her eyes—tears she’d fought against for eight years.

  “Trust me. You can’t stay here. You have to get away for good this time. This is an answer to my prayer.”

  For a moment, Mallory considered arguing, but Stephanie’s eerily calm tone changed her mind. Only one thing she could be sure of—prayers wouldn’t work for her.

  “Sit down so I can clean your ankle.”

  The mattress springs were silent, unlike the bed at the shelter she’d slept on for two weeks.

  Stephanie squatted and her hair fell into her eyes. She pushed the bleached, stringy strands behind her ear before wiping away the dried blood. “It’ll be good for you to get a fresh start. And you’ll love Nancy, she’s a godsend.”

  A godsend? God wanted nothing to do with her, not that she blamed him. Only by a miracle had she escaped, but she didn’t believe in miracles. “Where’s she going? Can’t you come with me?”

  Stephanie settled onto the bed. “I’m not sure where, but I can’t leave my daughter. She’s safe with my aunt, but as soon as I can save enough money, I’m going to get her and get out of here. There’s nothing keeping you here. This is your chance to get away from Jake forever. You’ll be safe.”

  The events of the night were stripped away one by one, as overwhelming emotions attached to the wall of her soul eased in an ounce of hope. The reality that she would leave tomorrow settled in as Jake’s voice echoed in her memory.

  You’re a worthless piece of trash. You’ll never find anyone to love you, because you’re not worth it. But that doesn’t matter because you belong to me, and you’ll never be able to leave.

  Mallory winced, the sting of his hand still fresh in her mind. If Jake found her this time, he would never let her go. She sensed the desperation in Stephanie’s voice. Her friend knew it too.

  She had to go now before it was too late.

  Mallory stepped into the dark living room early the next morning, after a few hours of restless sleep. With each creak of the house, her eyelids fluttered opened. With each minute, each hour that passed, she waited for Jake to appear—to take her back.

  Stephanie wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “She’ll take you to a safe place.”

  “Get Gracie and come with us.”

  “It’s too risky. This is your break, girl. Take it.”

  Mallory’s stomach tightened. Was she really leaving? What would happen after they arrived? Would Nancy take her to another shelter?

  She tucked her hair under a Carolina-blue ball cap. A large, black jacket hung to the knees of her five-foot-six frame. If someone saw her, she hoped they’d mistake her for a guy. Jake had eyes everywhere. She had never been able to do anything without him finding out.

  Nancy and Mallory hurried to the car, leaving Stephanie standing on the front steps. Moonlight danced across the sky, casting shadows on the sidewalk.

  The fresh, clean scent flowing through the car vents gave Mallory an odd sense of wonder. Dreamlike moments beguiled her, convincing her it was only her imagination, until reality found its way back. Slumped deep in the seat, she stared ahead as the sun rose above the horizon.

  Nancy adjusted the volume on the radio. “I guess you’re wondering where we’re headed.”

  Mallory didn’t answer. It didn’t matter where they ended up. She wouldn’t be any different and neither would anybody else.

  At the stop light, Nancy rested her head against the seat. “I have a cousin who lives in the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania. A small town called Paradise. Have you heard of it?”

  “No, ma’am.” It was only a white lie.
She had to be careful. Just because she had read every book she could get her hands on about the world, trying to find the perfect hiding place, the perfect place for starting over, it didn’t mean she had to be honest. At least not today.

  “I’ve lived there most of my life. It’s nice and quiet. My cousin needs an extra housekeeper or two. I promised to come and help when his sister arrived.” Something in her eyes changed, but then just as quickly the smile lighting them returned. “God may have planned this perfectly. This job may be just what you need.”

  “Job?” She bit her fingernail. “In Paradise.

  “Of course, I should ask you first. I would like to offer you a job as a housekeeper, working alongside me.”

  “You want me to work with you?” Her voice cracked. Was this happening or had she stumbled into a make-believe world?

  “I do. It will be a regular paying job. Of course, I’ll be there to help you. His sister and niece moved in with him recently. Let’s just say my cousin, Thomas, will need some extra help.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. Thank you.” The idea of having a real job, a future without Jake, settled in, leaving her breathless. This could be her chance to earn enough, to save enough, to finally make her own way.

  Only when they were miles down the road did Mallory allow herself to look through the window. To her right, a young woman tended to her flower garden. The woman’s brown hair hung in curly layers just like Mama’s had. She blinked as memories drowned out the music.

  Day after day, she had waited for her mama to come back, for her mama to find her, for her mama to love her.

  The mid-morning sun hid behind dark, hovering clouds as they crossed another state.

  Nancy spoke, snapping Mallory back to the present. “Are you hungry?”

  Mallory’s stomach plummeted as she remembered the five dollars stuffed in her pocket. The only money she had. She needed to save it. “No, ma’am.”

  Wherever they were going would have a soup kitchen. She wouldn’t play on this woman’s sympathies. Nancy had already done enough.

  “I wanted to stop at this sandwich shop, if it’s all right. I’m getting hungry myself.”

  Mallory nodded. A soft rumble filled her stomach, and she hoped Nancy left the car before it grew louder. She searched for a sign, the name of a city or county. They had been riding for hours already. How long would it take to get there? It didn’t matter. Three states would separate her from Jake. The farther the better, yet the single string still tying her to North Carolina still burned through her veins, ripping her from the edge of joy she was so close to obtaining.

  A few minutes later, Nancy returned with a large sack. Mallory pressed against the window to keep the smell of fresh bread and meat from making her stomach growl louder.

  After climbing into the car, Nancy took a sandwich from the bag. “I grabbed you a ham and cheese sub. I hope that’s okay. I should’ve checked with you.”

  She reached for the wrapped sandwich, searched her pockets, and held the money out to Nancy.

  “This is on me.” With a flip of her wrinkled fingers, Nancy kept her eyes averted. “Maybe one day you’ll be able to buy me lunch.”

  Mallory had never met anyone like her. “Thank you so much.”

  Nancy fumbled with her purse and keys. “There’s a picnic shelter in the shade. Would you care to climb out and stretch for a bit?”

  That would be wonderful. “Okay.”

  They sat under the shade of two old Maple trees. Two small girls laughed as they climbed across the monkey bars. They jumped down then chased each other to the swing set, their blonde curls bouncing in the wind. She envied their innocence, their independence. She was here with a taste of the very freedom she’d longed to have, but the bitter taste of guilt dangled heavily in her throat.

  A full smile filled Nancy’s lips, her teeth flashing against the sunlight. It was a look of genuine happiness. Mallory wanted that. Was it possible this Paradise she was heading to would bring her that?

  Sweat soaked through Mallory’s skin as they climbed back into Nancy’s car. The ground beneath her world shifted and she faded in and out of reality. For the first time in her life, she had something real to look forward to. Then just as quickly as the moment of peace settled over her it passed and the feel of crawling flesh stretched across her arms. She looked over her shoulder. Jake would never set her free.

  Three

  Time passed in slow motion all morning, but now as Eric waited on a bench outside the restaurant, he reconsidered his actions. He knew nothing of the woman meeting him for lunch, though his conversation with her this morning left him anxious to see her again—anxious to get to know her better.

  When the black, convertible corvette parked, his pulse spiked.

  Long, slim legs ending in pointed, high heels slipped from the driver’s open door, and Eric stood as Victoria’s deep, blue eyes met his.

  “Hi.” Her long fingers twirled the ends of her hair.

  She stumbled back after taking a step inside as he closed the door behind him. “Is this the right place?”

  “Yes, they have great food here. It’s one of my favorite restaurants.”

  She bent forward and whispered, “I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s the company I’m interested in.”

  Her comment took him by surprise, but he held his tongue as the hostess led them to a corner table.

  As soon as they were seated, Victoria reached for a menu and flipped through it, the faint lines between her brows crinkled.

  Embarrassed at his lack of consideration, he hoped to make amends. “Would you rather go someplace else?”

  A quick smile replaced her frown. “No, of course not. I’ll have a salad.” Her gaze drifted around the room, her frown deepening with each second. “I would’ve thought you’d prefer something more classy. I can definitely see the plain, but I’m still searching for the fancy.” With a laugh, she leaned back.

  One thing was certain, his mother would approve of this woman. Of that, he had no doubt.

  Mallory woke as Nancy stopped the car. How long had she been sleeping? She glanced at the clock radio. After five. Had it taken them this long to drive here? Dark clouds hid the afternoon sun. The sky, wider than she could imagine, stretched across miles of fields. The place was nothing like she’d expected. Not even close.

  Mallory breathed in the cool afternoon air. Clutching her bag, she examined the house before her.

  A brick mansion reached high into the unending sky.

  “We’ll wait to visit the main house tomorrow.” Nancy opened the trunk and grabbed a suitcase.

  The only two buildings in the area were the mansion only yards from them and the small house they faced. Meticulous bushes lined the front of the brick house. Gushing water hummed from across the lawn.

  “Robert had this built for me years ago and recently had it remodeled. It will be nice having company.” Nancy stepped inside, set her luggage by the door, and headed to the car.

  The beige carpet sank under Mallory’s worn, tennis shoes. Why was she given this chance? Running for her life last night, she would’ve never thought she’d end up in a place like this. A pang of regret sliced through her. Stephanie was back at the shelter, still running from her husband.

  Remembering her manners, she ran back outside to help unload the rest of Nancy’s things. She wanted to please this woman who’d brought her into this fantasy world. Swallowing the jitters that rose up her throat, she stepped back out into the open and reminded herself she was hundreds of miles from North Carolina—hundreds of miles from Jake Davis.

  “Thanks for your help.” Nancy ran her fingers through her frazzled, gray streaks. “Let me show you your room.”

  Mallory followed her down a long hallway, glancing at the paintings lining the wall. “This room will be yours for as long as you want it.” Nancy pushed another d
oor open. “This is your bathroom.”

  Was she dreaming?

  “I’d like to arrive at the main house by seven in the morning.”

  Mallory bit her lower lip. What if Nancy’s cousin didn’t agree about the job? “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be ready.”

  “I always have breakfast ready by six-thirty.” Nancy handed her a pad with a number scribbled on the page. “This is my cell number. Please, make yourself at home.”

  After dropping her bag onto the bed, her thoughts whirled with unanswered questions. Had she really escaped? Would she be strong enough to make this work?

  Mallory stood by the window studying the back yard’s shade trees that hovered over a wooden bench surrounded by a bed of flowers.

  “Do you enjoy reading?”

  Mallory turned at the sound of Nancy’s gentle voice, the soft lines along her cheeks crinkled with a deep smile.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “There’s a bookshelf with a variety of literature I’ve collected over the years. Feel free to help yourself.” Nancy paused next to her by the window. “That’s a lovely spot to enjoy a good book. I’m heading out to the shopping center to grab a few groceries. I’ll be back soon.”

  How she had longed to read outside in the wide open expanse of the shelter’s backyard! But she’d been afraid someone would see her. Waiting until Nancy closed the front door, Mallory explored through the wide range of books and grabbed one with an appealing cover of shattered glass.

  Mallory stepped outside, book in hand. The cool breeze caught a wisp of her hair as she rounded the corner of the small house toward the bench. A few minutes later, the sun faded over the tall evergreens and with typical, unsettling tremors, she searched the wooded area behind her. Unable to brush off the haunting memories, she returned inside.

  Hours later, Mallory stretched out on the bed listening to the soft noises of the night. She breathed in the fresh scent of flowers and lemon mixed with paint and new carpet. Crawling under the cool, crisp sheets, she let her head sink into the soft, feathered pillow.