For those who are new, The Butterfly Dress is a story about Flora, a girl trapped in dismal job as a seamstress and dressmaker to her cruel mother. Although she dreams of designing gowns in New York or Paris, she is forced to settle for creating prom dresses for local girls while attending class at the local college. When she receives the chance to design the Coronation Queen’s gown for a local ball, magical things begin to happen. As she dives deeper into the ball’s mysterious past and its handsome prince, it’s a pair of shoes that might lead her to her final destiny.

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“My grandmother’s garden?”  Nate wrinkled his nose.  “Flora, you’ve been there.  Plus, your friend Jackie’s gardens are better anyway.”  He raised a eyebrow hopefully.  “Can we go there?  Jackie promised to show me the carnivorous snails.”

Flora turned, fighting the smile tugging at her lips.  She wouldn’t break his heart and tell him Jackie showed the carnivorous snails to every kindergartner or boy scout troupe that toured the gardens.    “Sure.  We’ll go.  I’ll call her tomorrow.”  Shifting her bag, she fumbled with the clasp, trying to ignore the disappointment settling heavily in her stomach.

Nate reached for her, his smile fading.  “Hey, Flora, if you want to go to my grandmother’s gardens, we’ll go.”  He shrugged.  “I just don’t think they’re that interesting, once you’ve seen the silver butterflies.”  Suddenly, he grinned.  “Hey, wait a minute.  I know why you want to see the gardens.”

Flora froze, her fingers plucking at the clasp.  “You do?”

“You heard the rumors.”  Nate rocked back on his heels, a ridiculous grin plastered on his face.  “And you’re dying of curiosity.”  His grin broadened.  “I must admit, I’m shocked.”

“Shocked?  Why would you be shocked?”  Flora cocked her head, staring at him curiously.  “I mean, you know how crazy I was for her grandmother.  And designing dresses is my profession.”  Nate’s brow wrinkled and she stuttered, “I mean, I don’t really design dresses.  I just sew them…um, I have to go.”  Hoping her flaming cheeks were hidden by the darkness, she fled, stumbling down the gravel path in her sandals.

“Flora, wait!”  Not even breathing hard, Nate caught up to her in a few easy strides.  He grabbed her arm, twisting her around to face him.  Pressing her bag over her heaving chest, Flora gaped for air as her lips babbled rapidly.

“Look, I know I shouldn’t have asked and I know I have no right.  Everyone keeps telling me to shut up about it, even Jackie and Miss Tuttlesworth.  But I’ve seen the sketches and I’ve heard the rumors and I just have to find it, I just have to.  I know you probably think I’m crazy but I just feel like if I don’t find it…”  She trailed off, flushing.  Avoiding his piercing blue eyes, she stared at her ugly sandals, wishing her toes didn’t look like pale plump sausages.

“If you don’t find it…” Nate prompted.

“If I don’t find it, then the most wonderful creation my Grandmother ever made will go forgotten.”  Flora pressed her lips together.  “She’ll be forgotten,” she whispered.  “And that’s fine for me, because I don’t expect much.  But her work, her dresses…they deserve to be remembered.”

She lowered her head, not daring to look him.  For a moment, only the gentle rustling of the trees, teased by the cool evening breeze, disturbed the silent evening light.   Nate shifted, his fingers smoldering holes in her doughy arm.  Finally, his fingers slid down her arm and entwined with hers.  Shocked, she jerked her eyes up, her lips parted.

“You’re wrong about being a good designer.”  His blue eyes held hers and she fought to breathe.  “And for the record, I’m an idiot.”  Turning, he started towards the estate, his hand tugging her off the gravel path.

“Wait, where are we going?”  Flora jerked at his hand, unable to disentangle his strong fingers from hers.  “Wait!”

“We’re going to the gardens,” Nate replied, not bothering to turn around.  “Just like you wanted.”  He snorted, shaking his head.  “I feel so stupid.”

“You?”  Flora stumbled over a root, blushing as Nate steadied her.  She was going to burn these sandals when she got home.  “Of all people, why would you feel stupid?”

“Why of all people?”  Nate paused, stopping so she nearly careened into him.  “What’s so special about me, Flora?  Why shouldn’t I feel stupid?”

“Are you serious?”  She stepped back, her hand dropping from his.  Shaking her head, she laughed.  “Nate, look at you!”

“What?”  Nate’s forehead furrowed, his blue eyes unreadable.  “What about me?”

“Nate, you’re Nate Nottingham.”  Flora gestured at the estate behind them, elegantly glowing against the night sky.  “You live in a mansion and your family has run the town for years.  You’re King of the Coronation.  You’re handsome and have girls throwing themselves at your feet.”  Flora gazed out toward the gardens, scattered with light like tiny hidden stars nestled between the stately blooms.  “I mean, look at what you have, what you are.  How could you ever feel stupid?”

Nate reached for her hand, pulling her back down the gravel path.  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

With only the thundering of her awkward steps to his easy stride, they walked down the gravel path.  Nate pulled open the iron gate to the gardens, guiding Flora inside.  She glanced around, her heart fluttering in her chest as she drank in the elegant surroundings.  “Jackie would love it here,” she whispered, cringing as the words floated from her lips.

“We’ll bring her sometime.”  He was so certain, his voice so secure.  Squirming in her own skin, Flora stared at the rows of perfect flowers, delicate blooms and lush earth as Nate lead her through the garden.  Stopping in front of a wooden carved bench, he gestured to it.  “Sit.”

Her legs folded under her automatically and Flora plopped down, wincing as the bench creaked in protest.  She glanced at Nate, but his expression never changed.  Striding forward to a object draped under a white sheet, he grabbed the edges.   Meeting Flora’s eyes, he grimaced.

“You want to know why I feel stupid?”  Without waiting for an answer, he tugged off the sheet.

Flora gasped.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  Tomorrow we have a tribute post to the Blond Duck’s favorite person and then a week of whimsy and a special giveaway on Friday that coincides with our next Butterfly Dress!  Fashion lovers, you’ll be delighted!

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