Chapter Eighteen

Franklin was so happy that he’d accompanied his brother to deliver the baby crib. He watched Aaron conduct business with his client, and he was impressed. It also gave them time to talk about what each of them saw for their futures. He was pleased with Aaron’s maturity and business sense. Hearing his brother’s thoughts gave Franklin a bit of clarity in his mind where it was clouded. Working for his own family’s company would be a great honor. He and his brother had the talent to take the company to the next level. In much the same way he’d helped Kira.

He needed to mend things with her, but for him it was more than a misunderstanding. She’d done the same thing that she promised she wouldn’t do, blaming his father for something he hadn’t done. No, he didn’t have the whole story, but he believed in his heart that his father was innocent.

Aaron pulled into the parking lot of the family business almost at the same time as their father. They all got out of their vehicles and approached one another.

“So, how did they like the crib?” his father asked.

“Loved it, Pop,” Franklin answered before Aaron was able to do so.

“Listen, I want to talk to you about something important.” He then looked at Aaron. “Son, congratulations. And to think this is just the start.”

Franklin watched as they embraced each other. His father stepped back. “I told Mr. Woodson that we’d be finished with the shed tomorrow. I sent Benji out there with Roscoe. Just go and check on them for me. I really do need to talk to Franklin.”

“Sure, Pop,” Aaron replied before giving Franklin a fist bump and getting back into the truck.

Once his brother was gone, Franklin followed his father into the office, and they sat down.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” Franklin crossed his legs at the ankle.

His father sat in the chair beside him instead of at the desk. Franklin realized that this was going to be a heart matter instead of business. It gave him hope that his father was going to finally open up to him. He sat up straight in the chair and gave him his full attention.

“I’ve had some time to think about things today after you boys left.”

Franklin sat quietly, waiting to see where his father was coming from. If he got on him again about Kira, he’d just dismiss it and walk away. He couldn’t deal with any more finger pointing and I told you so’s.

“I didn’t like the way you looked earlier. I know for a fact that you love being at that inn. It seems to bring you just as much joy as being in the military has over the years.”

Franklin nodded, leaning forward with his elbows on his thighs. It was Kira more than it was the inn that he loved being around. He liked being at the inn because she was there.

“I want you to tell me the truth now. No hiding, sugarcoating, or any of that.”

“Tell you the truth about what?”

“Something happened between you and Kira.”

Franklin hoped that this conversation wasn’t getting ready to turn into a “didn’t I tell you not to fool with those folks” speech, so he kept quiet a bit longer.

“Franklin, I’m asking you a question.”

After releasing a long sigh, he sat up again and looked his father in the eye. “I know you told me not to trust the Davises and that they would turn their backs on me.”

“That’s what I said, and I stand on it, but I’m not talking about me, son.”

Franklin stood and walked over to a nearby window. “Kira and I were in the attic. I said something and then she said something back. It just really got out of hand, so I walked away,” Franklin said, finally turning back to his father.

He got up and walked over to him. “About me and Sophia, right?”

Franklin nodded.

“That’s exactly what I thought. I promised her that I wouldn’t say anything, but it needs to be said. I went to see Kira this afternoon.”

He did what?

Franklin must have heard his father incorrectly. He had been adamant about his beliefs. There was no way that he’d ever thought his father would do something like that.

“It’s a shock, I know, but I felt that I should talk to her about her aunt.”

“I asked you several times, Pop, to tell me about Sophia. You wouldn’t say a word, so I left it alone. You’d talk to her, but not me? That’s not fair, Pop.” He didn’t want to sound like a whiny kid, but in his heart, the sentiment was what he felt.

“Yes, and I know it was wrong.”

“Then why, Pop?”

His father walked toward the door. “You see, I figured that Kira didn’t have the whole story, and I was right.”

“How could you know that? You don’t even know her,” Franklin replied, his mind still trying to process why his father took this route.

“All these years, I’d never heard anything except that I was to blame. The Davises never talked about Sophie’s heart condition.”

Franklin’s eyes widened. “What? She was sick?”

He nodded. “Very.”

Franklin slid back into his seat. “I’d love to hear what you told Kira.”

His father came back over to him. “So, let me tell you why I didn’t want to have the conversation with you first. When I talk about Sophia, there are so many emotions that I have, son. I’d known her since we were about nine years old. She was my best friend in the whole world.”

Franklin could see his father’s eyes so filled with emotion.

“I just didn’t want to tell you all of that. Spilling my guts and showing you my heart when it came to another woman that way.”

“It would have been okay, Pop.”

“I’m speaking about a woman that isn’t your mother.”

Franklin covered his father’s hand. “You should have trusted me with it.”

“Even after all these years, it hurts me when I speak about Sophia.”

Franklin went to open his mouth, but his father stopped him by raising his hand. “Now wait. Let me finish. I need to say this. I should have known that you would be able to handle yourself and your emotions. All you were asking me was ‘what’s your side of the story, Pop’ and I wouldn’t give it to you.”

He stood. “I was wrong, so here it is: the day that Sophia Davis died, I wasn’t even in Clover. I had a job over in the next town. Yes, it was my car, but I’d told her not to drive it, and she did it anyway.”

Franklin shook his head as he tried to comprehend his father’s testimony. His heart raced and his mind raced as to the implications of what it all meant. His instinct was correct. It wasn’t his father’s fault. “So why are the Davises carrying this horrible story that you killed her?”

“I think they were in so much pain, they had to find someone to blame.”

“That’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not, but see, they were already on pins and needles because they were hoping she’d get the revolutionary treatment for her heart and be as good as new.”

“Her heart.” The story was getting deeper and deeper as he listened to his father. Franklin quieted, processing everything. The Davises were just plain wrong. There was no other way to explain it. “Pop, those folks owe you an apology. I mean really. This is ridiculous.”

“I’m not looking for a thing from the Davises.”

“Then why come out and speak about this?”

“Because you and Kira deserve a fighting chance.” He moved closer to Franklin’s face. “That is, if you want to be together.”

Franklin got up and pushed his hands down in his pockets. “I don’t know if there is a chance for us.”

“Why? I watched you two at dinner the other night. I heard her reaction when I called her today and she thought something had happened to you.”

Franklin pointed to himself. “Why would she think that? Because I walked out on her?”

“No, because I called her.” His father paused momentarily. “Look, all I’m saying is I loved Sophia and we were going to have a life together, but it wasn’t to be. I think you and Kira have a shot.”

“Really, Pop?”

“Yes, and I don’t want to stand in the way.”

Franklin hugged his father tight. “Thank you for sharing with me. I’m sure all this just brings up memories for you that you want to forget.”

He pulled back and touched Franklin’s chest. “Look, since I’m being honest with you…I love your mother, but I don’t ever want to forget about Sophia. Hell, if I’m honest with myself, I won’t because she has a special place in my heart.” He smiled. “As a matter of fact, today is her birthday.”

“Really? Did you usually do something special for her?” Franklin asked.

“Her sister Mary Louise always made this tall lemon cake.”

Franklin’s brows lifted. “As good as Momma’s?”

“Of course not,” he said with a laugh, “but they were tasty. It was Sophia’s favorite. We used to go to the movies or down by the creek for a picnic. We had this old tire that her father made into a swing. We spent a lot of time down by that creek.”

Franklin could see his father’s mind turning as he remembered the past. If his father hadn’t explained things the way he had, Franklin may have taken his last statement the wrong way. But he knew that if things didn’t work out between him and Kira that she’d always have a place in his heart, too, so he understood.

“I think you should talk to her,” Charlie suggested.

“I will, but not today. We’re sprucing up the inn, so there’s a lot of movement. I want to finish that first.”

“Whatever you say, son, but don’t wait too long.” He dug around in his pocket, then pulled out his keys. “I’m headed home. Your mother is making lasagna.”

“I’m going home, too, so I’ll follow you out.”

Franklin wanted to talk to his father about his recent decision to stay in Clover, but they’d already had one heavy conversation today. There were still a few loose ends that he needed to fix, so he would wait another day. It was best that he get some rest, too. He had a big day ahead of him tomorrow.