Page 21 of Spark
She shot him a sideways glance, and he could see her thinking.
“Um, remember that time when I told you that I can see ghosts?” Her tone was wary, as if she wasn’t sure how Matt would react.
Matt nodded. He did remember.
And how she’d stopped talking about it after a bunch of their fellow high school students had given her shit about it.
“So, are you saying that there's some kind of killer ghost at the hotel?” he asked.
“Yeah. Something that looked like a Hollywood monster attacked Javier,” Sophie said. “And apparently, a lot of the other resort employees have had disturbing experiences…”
As she continued to talk, telling him about what she’d learned from her interviews with the Bearpaw Springs Resort staff, Matt fought to quell his rising jealousy.
It seemed that Chris had really been helpful to her investigation, and he’d even stepped in to protect her from a possible threat.
Matt—and Matt’s inner bear—didn’t like that one bit. Protecting Sophie wastheirjob.
When she finished talking, Matt nodded. “I’ve heard that there was a murder that happened at the hotel a long time ago that set off a feud between the Tringstads and the Ornelas clan. I don’t know any details, though,” he added, apologetically.
“Was it a Tringstad who got killed, and they blamed the Ornelas family for it? Or was it the other way around?”
“I'm not sure," Matt replied, apologetically. "You might be able to find stuff in an old newspaper about it—I’m sure it was really big news back then.”
“Well, that probably explains why Mr. Ornelas gets so upset when people talk about the hotel being haunted,” she said, clearly thinking out loud. “I mean, if his family was involved somehow in the murder.” She nodded. “Makes sense. I guess I’m off to the library later, to see if they have copies of those old newspapers.”
This was the opportunity he’d been waiting for. “Well, if you’re going to be in town, do you want to meet up afterwards for dinner at Justin’s place? They still have those baby back ribs you really like, and the mac n’ cheese.”
Then Sophie hit him with a gut-punch.
Shaking her head regretfully, she said, “I can’t tomorrow, sorry. Chris invited me to his pride’s monthly dinner, so that I can catch up with Aunt Margaret, and Kayla, and everyone.”
She paused and looked at him. He realized that his expression had probably betrayed him.
Then she added, “But we’re going to see each other at Grandma Elle’s place tonight, right?
Matt just stared at her in dismay. Bringing a date to a clan dinner was usually a way of letting your clan or pride know that you were seriously courting someone.
Maybe Chris really is just trying to help Sophie catch up with everyone who’s been asking about her.
But Matt’s instincts told him otherwise. He knew what Grandma Elle and his parents, not to mention all of his other relatives, would think if he ever brought a date to one of the clan's Sunday dinners.
Sophie didn’t count, of course, since she was considered part of the Swanson family, and automatically included in clan events whenever she was at the ranch.
Was Dad right? Did I wait too long to make my move?He suddenly felt sick.
Sophie gave him an apologetic smile. “Maybe we can do dinner another night?”
“Sure,” he said, suddenly determined not to let Chris just step in and sweep Sophie away unopposed. “I’d like that.” He took a deep breath and told her the truth. “I really missed you a lot, Sophie.”
She gave him a smile that made his heart skip a beat. “I missed you, too. Why don’t we go to the movies on Friday, like we used to?”
Does that mean I still have a chance with her?If so, he was determined not to miss his shot. “Absolutely. It's a date. And I'll take you to Dancing Cow Burgers for one of their huckleberry shakes afterwards.”
Chapter Seven
Bearpaw Ridge Public Library
Four hours later
