Sparked (18 page)

“No, she’s not,” Bethany said.

Cora glared at Bethany, but Bethany was undeterred.

“Did you forget I’m sleeping over at Ella’s tonight, sissy?” she asked, hooking her elbow into Cora’s.

“I don’t remember that,” Cora said.

“Well I am. Isn’t that so, Ella?”

“It’s been planned for ages,” Ella said with an all-to-knowing smile.

“See? You’re entirely free. You don’t need to worry about me at all.”

Those little troublemakers.

“Wonderful,” Clayton said. He fished a ticket out of his pocket and handed it to her. “I’ll wait for you in the balcony.”

“She’ll be there,” Bethany said with a song in her voice.

“I’ll see you later, then,” Clayton said. He leaned down and kissed her right on the lips before turning to leave.

The girls stared at her with their mouths open so wide they looked like trout hungry for flies.

Cora’s face was flaming red.

“Hold me, Ella,” Bethany said, breathless. “I think I’m going to faint.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Clayton

Clayton was the first person in the movie theater when the doors opened. It was a Tuesday night, and he hoped that would mean that the theater would stay relatively empty. He took a seat in the back row of the upper balcony and waited.

A few people filtered in, but he slouched down and kept his head low. No one seemed to take much notice of him. By the time the lights dimmed there were only nine others in the audience, five of whom were teenagers sitting together up front, occupied in their own chatter. There were also two couples who seemed to be looking for the same sort of privacy that Clayton had sought out. After checking the balcony, both of them opted for different corners on the main floor.

Cora didn’t come in until the previews started. When she arrived—her eyes darting around the theater like she was half-hoping, half-expecting that he wouldn’t show—Clayton had the strongest instinct to wrap his arms around her and never let go. It was akin to the desire a collector might feel at watching the rarest of butterflies flit across the afternoon sun. 

She found him and sat down.

“Any trouble getting here?” he whispered.

“No. Everything was fine,” she whispered back. “You?”

“Zero spies detected,” he grinned, reaching under his seat. “Here. I got you a little something.”

The box hung in the air between them, but she wasn’t reaching for it. In fact, her face drained of color.

“You got me a present?” she asked. But the usual lilt he heard in a woman’s voice when he offered a gift wasn’t there. In fact, she seemed disappointed. Had he made a mistake?

“Go on, open it,” he said, keeping his voice low as the next preview started up on the wide screen in front of them. 

Finally, she took it from his hands and loosened the bow. She raised the garment by the deep red straps, the flickering light from the film reel catching on it like it was floating under water.

“A bathing suit?” she asked. Were those tears welling in her eyes?

She dropped it back into the box. 

“The other day at the lake,” he said. “I thought maybe—I thought you’d like it. And you said you liked red, so ….” He didn’t say that he knew it was something she’d never be able to afford. He didn’t say that he’d bought it partially for her and partially for himself. The idea of anyone but him seeing her in that slip pained him. It was something he would prevent at all costs. He would have paid ten times as much for the garment.

“I can’t accept this,” she said, her eyes dropping to the hands folded in her lap.

“Have I offended you?” he asked. “Don’t you like it?”

“Of course I like it,” she said. “That’s not the point.”

“Then what’s the matter?”

“You can’t—you can’t buy me presents,” she said. “I won’t let you.”

“Too late,” he said. “I already did.” If she liked the suit then, by God, he was going to give it to her. 

“You should return it.”

“It’s non-refundable,” he said. It was a lie, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Then find someone else to give it to,” she said, moving to stand.

“Cora,” he said, putting a hand on hers to stop her. “Please don’t go. I’m sorry. Just tell me what I did wrong here?”

She relaxed back into her seat. “Don’t you see what it means if you give me presents?” she asked. “A poor woman like me dating someone like you?”

Clayton’s brow furrowed. How could she even think something like that?

“It’s already too much, us going out together. Presents just make it worse.”

He had never—in all the women he’d dated—had someone object to being given a present. He marveled at her.

“How do you even exist?” he asked. “Sometimes you seem like a mirage.”

“Excuse me?”

“Everything I’ve heard my whole life about your family. You’re so different.”

She quieted for a moment then raised her eyes. “Those things you’ve heard? They’re always about my father, my grandfather, my brother. No one ever talks about my mother or her family. They never remember that I’m half her too.”

Something stilled in Clayton as the music for the opening credits swelled. She was right. He had never thought to ask about the other part of her lineage. “Tell me about her?”

“She was good. Really and truly good. Kind and selfless and honorable. And so was her family. They were hard workers, honest. My grandfather was a ranch foreman until the day he died and my mother used to say that my grandmother kept the cleanest house you’d ever seen. They hadn’t lived in Independence long when my mother got in trouble, and they passed not long after. Then the last of her family—her only brother—moved away. She got stuck in a bad situation, but she always tried to make the best of it. I think she thought—I don’t know—I think she hoped she could help my father.”

Clayton reached out for her hand, staying silent but willing her to continue talking. 

“And maybe she was helping him. He had a job before she died. And I don’t remember the drinking back then either. But of course that didn’t last once she was gone. Now all anyone sees when they look at me is a Murphy.”

“What was her last name?”

“Hollis,” Cora said.

“Hollis,” Clayton said. “It’s good to finally have a name for it. When I look at you, all I ever see is Hollis.”

She smiled so sincerely that it nearly broke his heart.

He squeezed her hand. “Please take the bathing suit, Cora? No one will know it’s from me.”

“Clayton—”

“Please? It was embarrassing enough buying the thing. I can’t imagine how the shop ladies would look at me if I brought it back.”

Cora laughed.

“All right,” she said. “But only if you promise not to buy me anything else.”

He stared into her eyes. She was serious; this meant something to her. And while it only made him want to spoil her all the more, he agreed.

“Okay,” he said, though he decided not to mention the dollar bill tucked underneath the tissue paper inside the box. He’d discovered it inside his shopping bag this afternoon, the little minx. But that didn’t count as a present. That was rightfully hers. 

Then the picture started up for real. He slid an arm around her, not thinking about the threat of giant mutant ants at all.

At work the next day, Clayton hummed as he thought about his date with Cora the previous night. He’d initially regretted his idiotic choice to invite her to a picture about mutant ants. What had he been thinking? But she had taken it in stride. And he wasn’t sorry he’d had the chance to hold her close every time one of the giant ants popped on screen. He didn’t regret her clutching his hand either. Maybe he was a cad, but he was already looking forward to the next horror picture coming to town.

“Clayton? Can you come in here for a moment?” his father asked as Clayton passed his office.

Clayton entered and sat down.

“I looked at your numbers, son,” his father said. “And I’d like to take the next step on your proposal.”

Clayton felt a rush of triumph, but struggled to keep the grin out of his voice. His father agreeing to his proposal was tantamount to declaring Clayton his equal. “That’s wonderful,” Clayton said, reaching out to shake his father’s hand.

“Your interest in the local community is … very inspiring. It’s actually a relief to hear you so invested in your hometown. I wasn’t always sure that Independence Falls was important to you.”

“Of course it is.”

“I’m glad to hear that. It’s a special place. When the first Lowell Briggs staked his claim here, I like to think he knew how special it was. How it would change the course of history for our family.”

His father stood, paced around to a large globe that sat near a window.

“Family was always important to him, you know. Most people left their wives and children back home when they ventured West, but he uprooted the lot of them to come seek opportunity here. He couldn’t bear to be without them. He used to say that a life without family isn’t a life at all. It’s that, more than the success, that inspired me to have that memorial commissioned.”

Why was he bringing up the memorial? After its destruction at the hands of Huck Murphy, the restoration wasn’t set to be unveiled until the fall. Clayton sat forward on his chair.

“A man is nothing without his family.”

“I agree. It’s a lesson I hope to carry with me my whole life,” Clayton said.

“It’s good to hear you say that. You’re five generations removed from him, but you’re the same age he was at the time—and I think of all of us, his adventurous spirit lives on in your blood. Soon the traditions of this establishment will be passed on to you and your brother. But you especially. Will was always meant for a life in law and politics. It suits him. The bank was never where he belonged. But ever since you were a boy, I imagined what this place would be like in your hands. I suppose I’ve been a bit harder on you over the years because of it.”

Clayton’s heart stirred. This was something he’d never heard his father say before. It made him feel all the worse for keeping secrets from him. He tried to lighten things with a joke.

“I appreciate your trust in me, Pop, but don’t put yourself in the grave just yet. You’ve still got a good year or two left in you.”

His father chuckled. “I hope it’s a good deal more than that.” He paused, and his face grew serious again. “I guess I’m just wondering—now that you’re graduated—how do you see your future?”

What had gotten into his father? He was acting so strange. Clayton decided to take a more serious tone.

“When the day comes for you to hand over the reins, I’ll do everything I can to uphold the values that you’ve taught me.”

Every word of it was true. Clayton respected his father, loved him, and would work to honor everything he’d taught him.

“Does that sentiment apply to your personal life as well?”

“I don’t understand?”

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that, well, the kinds of people you associate with reflect directly on your own character. They rub off on you.” 

Clayton’s gut tightened, suddenly on alert. Could his father already know about him and Cora? He thought they’d been careful, but it was a small town. Rumors spread like wildfire.

“But it’s not just that,” Lowell continued. “The choice of who you spend time with says something about the kind of person you already are.”

“I agree completely,” Clayton said.

“Wouldn’t you also agree that a person’s family is a very big part of what makes up their identity?”

Clayton bristled. This
was
about Cora. But he wasn’t about to let his father make assumptions about someone he’d never even met. If his father knew Cora, he would understand how strong a person—how good an influence—she actually was.

“Yes and no,” Clayton said. “A person can’t choose their family. They can only choose their own behavior, how they operate inside their circumstances.”

“But even the strongest, most well-meaning person couldn’t help but be shaped by their environment. And particularly so when there’s a long history of immorality surrounding them.”

Clayton was done. “If you have something to say, then say it.”

“It would concern me very much if I thought you were associating with someone who might have ulterior motives toward you
or
our family.” 

“That’s not what’s going on.”

“Crueler things have happened than a pretty girl vying for a rich boy’s wallet.”

Clayton stood, fuming, and took a moment to compose his thoughts.

“I appreciate you looking out for my well-being. But as far as my personal relationships go, it’s me who decides who I want to be with.”

“Then decide,” Lowell roared. 

Clayton flinched from the sound of it.

“It’s high time you chose your date for the Briggs Foundation Gala,” Lowell said. “But I warn you to make your decision very carefully.” 

His father took a deep breath. Clayton thought there might be a hint of sympathy under the frustration on his father’s face. He turned to look out the window.

“You have a chance to really be a part of things here, son. To contribute to this family.” 

Clayton could feel his father softening, reaching out to him with the words. Trying. How long had Clayton been longing for his father just to try?

“That’s what I want for you,” Lowell said. “That’s all I want for you.”

“I want that, too.”

“Then choose correctly. I expect an answer by tonight.”

Clayton left his father’s office and shut the door to his own. Even though the building had been updated with an air conditioning system just last year, it was stifling inside. He tugged his tie loose and threw it on his desk. He unbuttoned his collar, which suddenly felt tight as a noose around his neck. He tore off his suit jacket, balled it into a missile, and launched it at the floor. None of it made him breath any easier as he paced.

He felt ripped in half. He’d heard the genuine plea in his father’s voice, and wanted desperately to make him happy, but how could he just stop seeing Cora? The thought was unbearable.