My Butterfly by Laura Miller Page A

lips against mine. The feel of her kiss sent a shiver down my spine. It was almost as if her lips were sealing her promise—the promise that she’d come back.
    But eventually, she pulled away and locked her green eyes in my blues.
    “I’m not brave,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m just determined, and if I don’t leave here alone, I just might change my mind about all of this.”
    My smile brightened, and my eyes faltered and fell to the ground at our feet before returning to hers.
    “Go get your dream, Butterfly,” I said.
    I watched as a wide, perfect smile eventually found its way to her face. Then, slowly, she climbed behind the wheel.
    “Drive carefully, Jules, and call me when you get there,” I said, leaning into the driver’s side window to meet her lips one, last time before she pulled away.
    “I love you,” I added, when our kiss broke.
    “A million times a million?” she asked.
    She was forcing a smile now, so I did too.
    “A million times a million and to the moon and back,” I said.
    “I love you too,” she whispered, through her drying tears.
    Her eyes lingered in mine for a second or two longer. Then, I took a step back from her door. It seemed as if she tried to smile again, but the corners of her lips just never quite succeeded at fully turning up, in the end. Then, she planted her eyes straight ahead and stepped on the gas.
    I watched as her jeep ambled over the rocks in the driveway, leaving me behind. I pretended that she was just going to get a pizza from the next town over or a movie from Wally’s.
    Then, at the top of the driveway, she stopped. I stood up straighter and looked for her. And through the passenger’s window, I caught her kissing the palm of her hand and then blowing it my way. I threw my fist into the air and acted like I was catching it. Then, I waved goodbye.

Chapter Ten
    False Alarm
     
     
    “D amn it,” I said, under my breath, as I turned the knob that quieted the tones.
    My eyes found hers. She was disappointed; I could tell. But she put on a soft smile anyway.
    “I’ll get it to go,” she said.
    I felt a heavy sigh escape past my lips.
    “Thanks, babe,” I said, pushing out my chair and stepping toward her. “Do you mind hangin’ out with Jeff for awhile.”
    Still smiling, she shook her head.
    I kissed her lips and gestured over to Jeff. Jeff scurried over and planted his feet in front of me.
    “Are you getting off soon?” I asked him.
    “Yeah, in about ten minutes,” he said, glancing at his watch.
    “Good,” I said. “Can you take Julia to wherever she wants to go?”
    “Sure,” Jeff said, smiling a wide, toothy grin in Julia’s direction.
    “Thanks, buddy,” I said, patting him on the shoulder.
    “I’m sorry, baby,” I said to Jules. “I’ll call you when we’re finished.”
    “Okay,” she said. “Be careful.”
    “I will,” I replied, before turning and hurrying out the door.
    Moments later, I was jumping into my truck and reaching into the backseat for my light. It took me a second, but I eventually found it, stuck it to the roof and flipped it on.
    The first week she was back in town from school, and I had a call. I let go of another big sigh and then threw the truck into reverse and then first.
    The fire station wasn’t even a mile down the road from the tiny bar, and about a minute later, I was already pulling into the little parking lot. It looked as though I was the first one there, except for the captain, who always seemed to be there. I quickly turned off the ignition and jumped out, slamming the door behind me.
    Within seconds, I was inside the station and thrusting my hand against the button on the wall that sent the bay doors flying open.
    By the time I reached my gear, someone was already behind me. It was Mike. He usually drove the tanker truck if we needed it, but we wouldn’t be needing it today.
    I stepped into my pants and boots and threw the suspenders over my shoulders. My jacket was hanging on a