Bright Moon Read Free Page A

same ring as
your car key?” The question stung. She had kept the keys separated
in high school when she and Callan shared the car. She’d never
wanted to admit to herself that he might never use it again. “I
hope you find it, I don’t want to pay to change the locks
again.”
    “I can pay for it.”
    Tim fished a briefcase from his car. Yanking
it out, he slammed the door with enough force to make her jump.
“It’s not about the money, it’s the principle of the matter! Do you
know the hassle changing the locks causes?”
    “I’ll find the keys, dad,” she muttered
through her teeth. Instead of looking relieved, Tim sighed and was
about to say something when a truck rumbled around the corner, one
she knew and was surprised to see, especially when it stopped in
front of her house. The driver’s door popped open and Mark stepped
out, coming around the hood to them.
    “Hey, Clara,” he said, extending a hand
toward her, the keys dangling from his forefinger. “I think these
are yours, did you lose some keys?”
    “Yes!” she breathed and stepped toward him,
taking the keys gratefully. “Thank you so much for finding them!
Where were they?”
    “The craziest thing happened! I had to go
back to my office and they were by the break-room door.”
    “I didn’t notice they were gone until a
moment ago, thank you again!”
    “It wasn’t a problem. You must be Mr. Rita,”
he said, offering a hand to her father.
    “And you are?” Tim asked coldly with a
skeptical look at Mark’s hand.
    “Dad, this is Mark Crow, my boss.”
    “And how does he know where you live?” he
asked. Horrified, Clara sucked in air and held it.
    “I actually had to refer to her file. Dynol
said they were most likely yours and I thought you might be locked
out.” Mark’s voice was even and he maintained a thin smile. Tim
looked from Clara to Mark and back.
    “I think I understand what’s going on,” he
said in an undertone. “How long have you been seeing him?”
    “Dad!” she exclaimed. “We aren’t—”
    “Don’t lie to me! You should be ashamed you
lied this long.” Tim turned to Mark, whose face had gone blank.
“How long have you been seeing my daughter?”
    Mark held up his hands defensively. “I only
wanted to return the keys.”
    “Well, now you have. You would do well to
keep away from my daughter, do we have an understanding?”
    “Dad, please don’t do this,” she said and
touched his arm. He shrugged her off.
    “Say goodbye to Mr. Crow and I will discuss
this further with you inside.”
    While her face came to life with flames of
embarrassment, the corners of Mark’s lips twitched. He chewed his
cheek before speaking. “Mr. Rita, your daughter is a wonderful
girl, but you have this all wrong. I found the keys on the floor at
work. A coworker, Dynol, was there and can tell you just how I
found them as well. Clara and I have not been… seeing one
another.”
    “Well, I certainly hope not!” Tim said and
turned briskly, stomping toward the house.
    “Mark, I’m so sorry,” she whispered before
her father had even stepped inside. Mark watched him with a
frown.
    “Is he always so very engaging?”
    She laughed shortly, relieved Mark did not
appear as traumatized as she felt.
    “Please don’t feel embarrassed. I know he’s
hurting, I’ve heard about your mother.”
    “He…has not been the same since she died. I
don’t think he ever will be.”
    “It’s a lot of pain to carry,” Mark said
with an understanding nod.
    “Thank you for being so thoughtful and
coming all this way.”
    “Listen, Clara, I know your dad is going
through a rough time, but I don’t think he remembers you are too.
How are things?” Mark’s sharp brown eyes met hers and she wanted to
share with him how lonely and betrayed she felt. The words faltered
at her mouth.
    “Things are bad, but they are what they are.
I get by and, sooner or later, I’ll leave.”
    He nodded solemnly. “Yes, hopefully sooner
rather than