Sparked (39 page)

He held her hand and tugged her toward the door. He seemed agitated, but determined.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“That car belongs to my mother.”

“I was hoping the two of you would arrive soon,” Mrs. Briggs said.

Cora couldn’t believe it. Florence Briggs was sitting right there in her kitchen. Right there with both her father and Butch, still in her black satin gown with its full skirt cascading onto their worn linoleum floor.

“What are you doing here, Mother?” Clayton asked.

Cora wouldn’t want to be on the other side of that voice. He sounded so angry.

“Are you all right? You look like you’ve been in a fight,” she said to Cora. And Cora thought she could detect actual concern behind the woman’s eyes.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” Cora said.

“Good. There are some things we need to discuss. I’ve just been having a conversation with your father.”

“If this is some kind of ploy to split us up again, it’s not going to work. I’ve just asked Cora to be my wife, and she’s accepted.”

“You ain’t marrying no Briggs,” Butch said from the corner.

“Hush up, boy,” her father said. There was an excited glint in Huck's eye. He turned to Florence. “We’d be amenable to a marriage. Under certain circumstances.”

“The terms of our agreement are non-negotiable,” she said, then turned to Clayton. “I had no idea what your father had planned,” she said. “And I’m sorry he did it. I think you’ll find he’s sorry too if you speak to him again.”

Clayton was silent, looking at his mother with a wary expression. Cora didn’t know what to say, so she kept quiet too.

“What I’ve been discussing with your father, Cora, is a business proposition.”

Cora didn’t like the sounds of that. No one who had ever done business with her father had come out ahead. She suddenly felt very protective toward Mrs. Briggs.

“You’re a business man, aren’t you, Mr. Murphy?”

“That’s right,” her father said. There was a smug expression on his face—one that Cora had come to hate. It always meant something bad was about to happen.

“We’ve brokered something of an exchange,” Florence continued. “He’s agreed to let you and Bethany move out.”

“In exchange for what?” Cora asked warily.

“In exchange for my paying off the remaining debt for the destruction of the Lowell Briggs memorial. If I do so, he’s agreed to sign legal papers granting you full custody of your sister.”

Cora couldn’t believe it. Clayton’s mother wasn’t against her. She was on her side. She was trying to help. 

But as soon as hope entered her heart, the guilt did too.

“That’s very kind, but I can’t let you do that, Mrs. Briggs.”

“Too late,” her father said. “We already agreed.”

“Your father is right. Will is drafting the contract as we speak and should arrive shortly,” she said.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked.

“My son has always been a risk-taker, Cora. But his bets usually pay off. Call it an early wedding present.”

For a moment, everyone in the room was still. Then Cora surprised herself by throwing her arms around Mrs. Briggs. “Thank you. Your support matters more to me than money ever could. I’ll pay you back, every cent.”

When Mrs. Briggs hugged her back, something inside Cora burst with happiness. 

“There is no debt, Cora. If anything, the debt is owed to you and to my son.”

“I can’t believe this,” Butch said to Cora’s father. “You’re just gonna let her walk outta here with one of
them
?”

“I told you to shut your mouth.”

Butch leapt out of the corner and was in Clayton’s face faster than anyone could stop him.

“I told you I would kill you, and I will.”

Huck leapt to his feet and yanked Butch away. He was just as big as Butch, and just as mean when he wanted to be. “When I tell you to shut your mouth, you better shut your mouth.” He shoved Butch out the door. “Get the hell outta here. You’re not gonna ruin this for me.”

Butch looked to Clayton. “This isn’t over,” he said, then sauntered into the night.

“Don’t mind him,” Huck said. “He ain’t got no manners.”

“You’re certain you can keep him in line?” Florence asked. “At the price I’m paying, I don’t expect any trouble.”

“He’ll mind me or he’ll lose the roof over his head.”

“Very well. Cora, dear, why don’t you wake your sister and gather your things?”

“I’m already ready,” Bethany said.

Cora looked to the doorway that led to the back hall. Bethany was standing there with the biggest grin she’d ever seen. She was also wearing every dress she owned—one put on right on top of the other.

Cora couldn’t help but to smile. Mrs. Briggs was smiling too, and if she wasn’t mistaken, trying to hold back her laughter.

“Why don’t we find you a suitcase, little bee?” Cora said, and ushered her upstairs.

“Just the essentials, dear,” Florence called after her. “I’m sure you’ll want to start fresh at your new place.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she said. The words felt a little too formal—like something a servant would say to their employer—but she didn’t know what else to call her. Would she one day call her Florence? Or Mother? It seemed impossible.

“Oh, Cora,” Bethany whispered as they went upstairs. “Is it really true? Are you really getting married to the real, real Clayton Briggs?”

“I certainly hope he’s real,” Cora laughed, then held out her left hand for Bethany to see her ring.

Bethany took her hand and erupted in wild sobs that shook her body. “Oh, Cora. It’s too beautiful for words. Like a fairytale.”

Cora hugged Bethany close. “Everything will be different now, little bee. You’ll see.” 

It was a poor choice of words, because it only set Bethany into a fresh wave of sobbing. Cora held her until she stopped crying, then the two loaded their meager possessions into their mother’s old trunk.

By the time they made it downstairs, Will was there. He sat at the table, guiding Cora’s father through a stack of papers to sign. Will passed them over to her for her signature as well.

“And then again right there,” Will said, pointing to an empty line on the last page. Huck signed. Then Cora signed.

“Very good,” Will said, turning to his mother. “I think that about does it.”

“We ain’t done here. Where’s my money?” Cora’s father barked.

“It will be paid to the county courthouse by end of business Monday,” Florence said, clearly not trusting him enough to just hand over a check. “However, you should know that this is the last money you’ll ever see from my family—which now includes both of your daughters. Any attempts to extort more will be met with a deaf ear or swift legal action. Is that understood?”

“I heard you,” Cora’s father said gruffly.

“Very good,” Florence said, then turned her attention to the rest of them. “Shall we go, then? I’m sure the ladies would like to get settled in their new home.”

They all nodded as she rose. Clayton and Will followed, carrying the trunk out to the car. Only Bethany seemed to linger. Cora could tell she was waiting for her father to say something to her—to at least give her a fond goodbye. But he was just staring at his beer. He didn’t acknowledge her standing there.

“Come on, little bee,” Cora said, tugging her away. “I can’t wait to show you our new home.”

“I think they should have a horse-drawn carriage,” Bethany said. “With at least eight horses.”

They were inside the Briggs’ Mansion, all sitting at the large dining room table: Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, Meg and Will, Clayton and Cora, and Bethany—who was currently delving into a plate of strawberry shortcake, whipped cream dotting the corners of her mouth.

“She’s the only one with any sense,” Florence said, smiling. There was a gleam in her eye as she looked at Bethany. 

It had only been a week since Cora and Bethany had moved out, but already Florence and Bethany had formed a strong attachment. Cora suspected that it had a little something to do with the ridiculous amount of brand new dresses in Bethany’s closet—Florence had never had a girl around to spoil and it seemed there was no limit to the dresses.

Once she heard how busy Cora was getting the bakery set up, Florence had appeared at their door every day to take Bethany out shopping, and every day they came back with some new treasure—curtains or sheets or clothes for the two of them. She thought Florence was trying to make amends with her, too, and she appreciated the kindness. At some point, Cora was going to have a talk with them both or they wouldn’t have any room to walk around. But she suspected Florence enjoyed spoiling Bethany just as much as Bethany loved being spoiled, and she wasn’t about to put a stop to either of their happiness. At least not yet.

“Really, we just want something simple,” Cora said. She was already in so much debt to the family that she couldn’t imagine ever getting out of it. 

“Family and a cake. That’s all we need,” Clayton said. “We could do it in the back yard next Saturday.”

“But what about your dress?” Bethany asked. “You haven’t picked out a dress yet and I’ve
so
been looking forward to it.”

“She’s right. It’s not a wedding without a proper dress,” Florence said. “And that could take months.”

“I’m sure I could find something in town.”

“Nonsense,” Florence said. “Meg’s was custom-designed in Denver and there’s no reason you should have anything less. Isn’t that right, Meg?”

“Absolutely. In fact, I’m still voting for a double wedding,” Meg said, winking at Cora the moment Florence looked away. Cora giggled and kicked her foot under the table. She knew for a fact Meg was only saying that because she thought it meant dividing the work between two brides. But Cora was pretty sure a double wedding probably meant double the work.

There had been so many changes so quickly, but Meg was one that had come as a surprise to Cora. She had welcomed Cora into the family with open arms, truly making an effort to get to know her. Cora knew she had a lot to learn from Meg. She was as elegant as a princess and just as diplomatic. She always seemed to know just what to say to people to elicit a smile or solve a worry. Meg had been kind enough to introduce Cora to other ladies their age, and now Cora found herself with a whole new set of friends. She’d never had girlfriends before, and didn’t know quite what to do with them, but she was already learning how precious a gift Meg had given her.

She had thought at first that Violet might become a friend, too, but she had left town the morning after the ball. Rumor was she was headed to Hollywood. And perhaps it was better for everyone that way. With her looks, Cora was sure she’d find success. 

“The real question,” Will said, addressing Bethany and interrupting her thoughts, “Is who you’ll bring to the wedding.”

“Me?” Bethany squeaked.

“It’s an important decision,” Clayton said. “Everyone knows that if the maid of honor fights with her date at the wedding, then it’s a bad omen for the happy couple.”

“You’re kidding me,” Bethany said. “I’ve never heard of that.”

“It’s true,” Clayton said. “So choose wisely.”

Bethany sighed. “I suppose it will have to be boring old Bill Glass, then. He wouldn’t start a fight if someone was punching him in the face. But I’d much rather take Lewis Miles. He’s mean, but ever so much better looking.”

The table erupted in laughter.

“What?” Bethany asked, truly confused. She turned to Cora. “What did I say, Cora?”

“Be nice to her,” Florence said to the table, taming her own laughter. She looked at Bethany. “I don’t think you should bring anyone at all, dear.” 

“You’re right,” Bethany said. “It’ll be so mysterious. I’ll make them all sweat.”

Again, everyone started laughing. Even Mr. Briggs cracked a smile at that one. Clayton’s father still hadn’t entirely warmed to their presence. He was civil, and had rescinded his threat to take away Clayton’s trust fund—had, in fact, signed off on the final paperwork yesterday. But he had taken his dinner at the bank most of the nights since Cora and Bethany had joined them. Even now, he was mostly quiet—only a comment here and there about the meal or the weather. It seemed to Cora as though he was being bowled over by the changes in his family, and had no idea what to do. She hoped things would get better soon. She knew how much Clayton valued the relationship with his father.

“That was a lovely meal, Mother. But I think it’s time I walked the ladies home,” Clayton said.

“Do we have to?” Bethany said. “We’ve only just started to solve my sordid love life.”

“Get your things,” Cora said. “They’ll be plenty of time for that tomorrow.”

As Bethany said her good-byes, Cora looked around the table, her heart spilling over at each member of her new family. For the first time since her mother died, she finally felt at home.

CHAPTER FORTY

Cora

Once they saw Bethany happily settled in bed with a new
All True Romance
comic, Clayton and Cora decided to take a walk down to the river. Between Cora settling in to the new home with Bethany, trying to get the bakery set up, and getting to know Clayton’s family, it had been difficult to find time to be alone.

The weather had grown cool in the last week, as though the mountains weren’t quite yet ready to give in to summer. It had just rained and the smell of it was still in the air, the shine of it still on the streets. Clayton took her hand as they wandered through town and then down toward the riverbank. 

The sight of the rushing waters reminded her of that awful night with Ralph. He’d survived his little trip into Lake Perseverance. A story circulated in town the next day that he’d been found on the beach, naked and hungover. As far as she knew, he hadn’t said a word to anyone about her powers. She hoped it meant he had no memory of what had happened that night, but it was still something that made her nervous. What if he was just biding his time? What if he told Butch? There was no way to be sure without asking him, and both she and Clayton had decided it was better not to talk to him at all.