There were indeed hundreds and hundreds of butterflies with black, orange, and white markings clumped together. She’d discounted them a moment ago as a branch, but now that she was able to get an up-close look at them, there was no mistaking them for being a part of a tree.
“They migrate and go dormant here for the winter. The trees along the coast have the perfect shelter from the cold, and any storms or rain.”
Gemma’s hands twitched. “Can we get closer?”
“Yes. Just as long as we stay on the path. We don’t want to disturb them.”
Their voices grew to a soft whisper as they stepped carefully, mindful of any flying insects that might be resting on the ground. Tim pointed out more groupings of butterflies as they approached one of the trees they favored.
This area of the path was bathed in a patch of warm sunlight. Gemma’s eyes widened with wonder. She felt like she had stepped into an enchanted forest. The butterflies around her were more active and seemed to dance around her. She reached out her hand, and a monarch butterfly landed on her palm, its tiny legs tickling her skin. She watched, mesmerized, as it flapped its wings.
Looking up at Tim through her eyelashes, she watched as he held his arm out in front of him. No less than twenty butterflies flocked to him.
“Sugar water,” he whispered. “It’s the closest thing I have to nectar. Do you want some too?”
“No. I’m happy to just watch.”
Gemma felt a growing connection with Tim. The beauty of the moment intensified her desire to bridge the gap between them and kiss him. She’d been itching to since the night they’d had dinner at the Lucky Dog Diner. She’d searched long and hard for a man worthy of her affections, and it seemed that at long last, she might have found him.
Tim wasn’t a guy who would brush her off. He was a guy who’d take an active role in their relationship. Everything they’d done together had confirmed to her that he was a man who she could see herself with long-term.
Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, Gemma instinctually knew that Sequoia Valley was where she wanted to begin the next phase of her life. Her relationship with Tim was still so new and growing, but shewantedto give it every possible chance at succeeding. Shewantedto be by his side, and not hundreds or maybe even thousands of kilometers away in a long-distance relationship.
Tim told me that I would know when I knew I was ready to leave DOI. Once again, he wasn’t wrong. Skating just doesn’t seem as important to me as being near him right now. My head is telling me we still need more time to get to know each other, but my heart is screaming at me to throw caution to the wind and live in the moment. What do I do? Should I listen to my heart or to my head?
“Gemma?”
“Hmm?”
Tim shook his arms, and the butterflies took flight. “You look like a nature sprite,” he said, licking his lips. Their eyes locked. She realized his were wide with lust. Hewantedher.
“At home, we’d call that a fae.”
Gemma’s pulse took off like the speed of a hummingbird’s wings, beating several hundred times a minute. She nodded at him, and the butterfly on her hand took flight. She carefully closed the distance between them. Their bodies were pressed close to one another now. Heat rolled off him.
Turning her head to the side, Gemma granted Tim access to her neck. Slowly, he planted a soft trail of kisses leading up to her mouth. The stubble of his facial hair rubbed against the tender skin of her cheeks.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. Moving her hair out from around her face, he traced her lips with his thumb. “I’m going to kiss you just like the butterflies here drink nectar from a wildflower.”
True to his word, his lips brushed against hers, and alone in the estuary, with the company of several hundred butterflies, they kissed.
Chapter 14
The remainder of the weekend passed all too quickly for Gemma, and before she knew it, it was Monday again. She lamented that Tim was back at work. She could still feel the way he had held her and feel the warmth of his kiss upon her lips.
“Which date are you reliving?” Frankie teased, joining Gemma at the kitchen island with a cup of green tea.
“The butterfly picnic.” She smiled into her cup of coffee and took a long drink.
Frankie sighed. “I have to hand it to Tim. He’s a genius at coming up with unique dates.”
Charlie huffed as he opened the fridge and pulled out a protein shake. “And I’m not?”
The two friends exchanged glances.
“You are in your own way,” Frankie said diplomatically. “You took me hiking and to Millie’s Steakhouse. Those were places that were special to you. I love that. It allowed me to see your sparkling personality and into your heart.”
“That’s better.” Charlie was still frowning. “You know, Frankie, I was thinking?.?.?. we’ve been training really hard. How would you like to take a day off Wednesday to go out on a romantic boat ride on Lake Wakahanra, or we could do something like go horseback riding?”
