Sparked Read Online Free

was in fashion these days, but she wore hers past her shoulders. Clayton liked it. He drew a piece of popcorn out of her long locks and tossed it in the lake. “Once I’m done we can go try our luck at horseshoes.”
    “I don’t want to play horseshoes,” she said. There was an edge of anger in her voice, almost an accusing tone—why? She balled her fists at her sides, but didn’t move away from him this time. She stayed still, let him do what needed to be done.
    “The bell-ringer, then?”
    “No,” she said.
    The boys had had good aim. Her dark hair was covered in fluffy white kernels, a constellation of caramel. She smelled delicious—the sweetness of the popcorn mingled with the earthy, wild plum scent of her. He wanted to lean in closer and inhale the smell of her alabaster skin, glowing pearl against the flickering candlelight. Instead, he combed his fingers gently through the long, soft curls and watched the popcorn sprinkle to the ground. With every strand, her fists seemed to relax a bit more.
    “How about the dunk tank? We might be able to convince Mr. Clint to give up his place to one of those little brats back there. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
    He thought he saw the hint of a smile curl under her cheeks.
    “No, thank you.”
    He was nearly finished, but found he didn’t want to be. Her hair was so soft and silky; he liked the feel of it twisted around his fingers.
    “I’m sorry about what they did. Boys are idiots around pretty girls.”
    “Boys are often idiots without the help of a pretty girl.”
    Clayton laughed. “I suppose you’re right about that,” he said.
    He tossed away the last little bit of fluff, then stepped to face her. “All done.”
    She took a deep breath and met his eye. “Thank you.”
    “So you won’t have horseshoes or the bell-ringer or the dunk tank. What would you like to do, then? Take your pick. We can do whatever you’d like.”
    “You’ve been very kind, but—”
    “There’s a moonlit puppet show, but you seem a little old for that.”
    “I’m sorry, really, but—”
    “Cotton candy, then?” he asked. He’d heard her protests, but he couldn’t let her go so easily. He had to at least try. She had intrigued him, and he wanted to know more. “No one’s too old for cotton candy.”
    “Why are you doing this?”
    She looked so earnest in her question that he felt his throat go tight.
    “Can’t a boy ask a pretty girl to spend some time with him?”
    “I, ah, I…,” her voice trailed off and her face went flush. 
    “Isn’t there anything that would tempt you to stay?” he asked, looking into her eyes. He felt an intense desire to kiss her. If he hadn’t been positive she’d take off running, he would have done exactly that.
    “I know,” he said. “Let’s cross Lover’s Bridge.”
    All at once, the flush disappeared from her cheeks. Her eyes grew sharp and suspicion furrowed her brow. She looked quite like she wanted to kill him.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
    Cora
     
    “Lover’s Bridge?” Cora asked with derision in her voice. Now she knew it was a trick. Maybe those boys had been working with him the whole time. She wouldn’t be anybody’s fool. Especially a Briggs’. “You want to cross Lover’s Bridge with me?”
    “Why wouldn’t I?”
    Why indeed. Crossing Lover’s Bridge wasn’t something you did alone. It was for couples. Even so, only the brave chanced the rocking bridge, and many plunged into the newly thawed waters along the way.
    She had never attempted the cross. Sure, boys had asked, but she’d never agreed. It wasn’t the danger that scared her. She had a steady foot and was a strong swimmer. What held her back was what happened when you got to the other side. She’d heard more than one story about the things that took place on that island. Making it across was apparently such a good omen for a relationship that couples couldn’t resist each other. Apparently, they couldn’t resist each other if