by Regina Hart
Peyton stiffened at the realization. She forced her attention away from Darius. She didn’t need any more complications in her life. She had plenty to deal with as it was.
“Enough trash-talking, people.” Megan raised her voice for attention. “We need to get ready for story time.”
“Have you always been this bossy?” Ramona grumbled.
“Yes, you just chose not to notice.” Megan’s response was dry. “Stan, are you ready for your big moment?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Stan sounded confident. But his movements seemed nervous as he smoothed his brown sweater. He followed Megan across the front of the store to the area set up for story time.
Megan seated Stan in an ornate, red velvet throne decorated for Halloween. Two large fake human skulls were staked to the seat’s high back, and two smaller ones were driven onto the chair’s arms. After Megan announced story time, Peyton watched as a stampede of children charged toward Stan.
Young children raced forward. Toddlers rocked on unsteady legs. Even teenagers managed to join the growing crowd without abdicating their cool. There were princesses and warriors, soldiers and other superheroes, astronauts and characters Peyton should have known—and would have if she watched more television.
Ean and Ramona joined Megan near the reading area. Audra tugged Jackson along behind her. The newspaper publisher looked as though he’d follow her anywhere.
“You coming?” Noah directed the question to his older brother.
Darius shook his head. “No, but you and June go ahead.”
Noah and his mother joined the rest of the group at the perimeter of the entertainment. The young man grabbed a handful of wrapped chocolates from one of several candy bowls around the store. The crystal dishes were shaped like decaying hands.
Peyton surveyed the themed decorations hanging from the ceiling, affixed to the walls, and draped over the bookshelves. “Megan must love Halloween.”
Darius eyed the decorations. “She loves all of the holidays.”
Peyton nodded toward the story time area. “Stan looks amazed to have all those kids surrounding him.”
Doreen hummed. “In the past, when they saw Stan, most people turned away.” She looked at Darius. “You did a wonderful thing, helping him pull his life together.”
“That was very caring of you.” Peyton wondered at the blush rising up Darius’s neck.
“Stan’s a good guy.” Darius’s voice was tight. “He just needed a nudge in the right direction.”
Doreen’s eyes widened. “Look at him. You did more than nudge.”
“OK, ladies, let’s change the subject.” Darius nodded toward the store’s entrance. “Doreen, you’ve got company.”
Doreen looked toward the front of the store. Her body warmed as she watched Sheriff Alonzo Lopez stride toward her. His was tall and lean in his sheriff’s tan shirt, black tie, and spruce-green gabardine pants. He took off his brown felt campaign hat, revealing his still-dark, wavy brown hair. His coffee-brown gaze was intense; his chiseled café-au-lait features serious. As he drew closer, his gaze swept her from head to toe. The way he looked at her in her copper flapper’s dress made her want to take it off.
Alonzo stopped in front of her. He greeted Simon, Peyton, and Darius before giving Doreen a quick kiss. It was a brief touch of lips that made her want more.
“You stop my heart, mi amor.” His voice was low and rough.
“Now you know how I feel when I look at you.”
Alonzo’s eyes widened. How could her comment possibly surprise him? Even now she was struggling not to swoon at the handsome lawman’s feet. “I’m glad you stopped by.”
“So am I.” His gaze dropped again to her dress.
Doreen’s cheeks heated. “I wish you could stay.”
“So do I. But it means a lot for the deputies with young children to attend the celebration with their families.”
He’d said the same thing last year. She admired him for putting others’ needs before his own, but it would mean a lot to her to share this time with him, too. “Next year, maybe you could ask one of the other deputies without young children to mind the town while you attend our Halloween celebration.”
Alonzo gave her a sexy smile. “That’s my intention.”
Doreen’s lips parted in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly. “Great. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to your Day of the Dead celebration.”
Day of the Dead, a rather daunting name for a holiday that brings family and friends together to pray for and remember loved ones who’ve died. Doreen was excited to experience this Mexican holiday with him and their friends: Ean, Megan, Ramona, Jackson, Audra, Darius, and Ms. Helen.
“I’m glad you’re coming.” Alonzo took her hand. “It’s important to remember our loved ones. Our memories keep them alive.”
Doreen squeezed his hand. “It sounds like a very special celebration. I’ll arrive a little early to help you get ready.”
Alonzo was silent for several moments, holding her eyes. “Thank you. I’d better get back to work.” He gave her another kiss before straightening away from her.
She leaned into him, breathing his scent, soap and shaving cream. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Alonzo looked her over again. “Don’t change your clothes.” With a wink, he turned to leave, nodding good-bye to their friends.
Doreen’s cheeks flushed. As she watched Alonzo cross the bookstore, she wondered whether her grin was as goofy as it felt. Alonzo held the door open for Nessa Linden, the Trinity Falls town council member and dental office manager, then he disappeared on the street.
Nessa made a beeline to the café entrance where Doreen stood with Simon, Peyton, and Darius.
Still glowing from Alonzo’s flirtatious farewell, Doreen smiled as the smaller woman came to a stop in front of her. “Hello, Nessa. Nice costume.”
“I wish I could say the same, Doreen.” Nessa’s smile was cool. “Do you really think it’s appropriate for a Trinity Falls mayoral candidate to ever wear a flapper costume?”
It took Doreen a moment to register Nessa’s attack. Although they’d grown up together in Trinity Falls, they’d never been close. But their relationship had chilled even more since the town’s sesquicentennial celebration last August. Why?
Doreen sensed Darius’s tension beside her. She didn’t want to cause a scene during story time and risk ruining the children’s enjoyment of the celebration. She kept her voice level. “What’s wrong with my costume?”
Nessa raised her chin. “You need to represent the office of Trinity Falls’ mayor with dignity and decorum—always.”
Was Nessa serious? “I’m not dressed as Lady Godiva.”
Nessa’s disdainful gaze took in Doreen’s modest neckline and knee-length fringe hem. “You might as well be.”
“I think she looks great.” Darius came to her defense.
Nessa turned pitying eyes toward him. “As a young man, I wouldn’t expect you to say anything else.”
Darius crossed his arms over his chest. “Nessa, I don’t know what’s going on between you and Doreen, but please don’t insult my intelligence.”
Darius heard a small intake of breath from Peyton. In reflex, he rested what he’d meant as a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Nessa tracked his movement. She glanced at Peyton before returning her attention to Darius. “So close so fast, Darius? The rumors must be true.”
“What rumors?” Darius had been about to remove his hand from Peyton’s shoulder. But when he caught the taunting gleam in Nessa’s eyes, he decided against it. With the feel of Peyton’s skin warming his palm through her costume, the decision wasn’t a hardship.
“That you’re dating the university’s new history professor.” Nessa’s expression was speculative. “Have you grown tired of the women of Trinity Falls?”
“W-we’re not dating,” Peyton stuttered.
“Yet.” Nessa returned her attention to Doreen and the flap
per costume. “The election is only ten days away. It’s just a formality since you’re running unopposed. However, try not to bring disgrace on the office. It’ll reflect poorly on the town.”
“What is this really about, Nessa?” Doreen stood straighter. “I can’t believe you find this flapper costume so objectionable.”
“I’m giving you a little friendly advice.”
Doreen crossed her arms. “You walked into the bookstore loaded for bear and pointed your sights at me. Why?”
“Ladies, you may not want to continue this conversation here.” Darius released Peyton’s shoulder. He glanced around the store, scanning the curious glances directed their way. Trinity Falls was a small community whose residents’ curiosity was close to insatiable.
Nessa ignored his warning. “The mayor’s office is going to be handed to you just like everything else in your life. But don’t expect me to let you continue to walk around this town like royalty.”
Doreen’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with temper. Darius strained to hear her reply. “If you wanted to be mayor, Nessa, you should have run.”
“Next time, I will.”
Doreen inclined her head. “Until next time, then.”
Nessa’s glare shot sparks before she turned to leave Books & Bakery.
Peyton exhaled. “Who was that?”
“Nessa Linden.” Darius observed Nessa’s stiff gait as she left the store. “She’s served two terms on the town council. I didn’t think she wanted to be mayor, though.”
“She didn’t.” Simon shoved his hands into the front pockets of his cowboy costume.
Darius faced his father, who stood on Peyton’s other side. “How do you know?”
Simon’s gaze drifted away. “She told me when I considered running for office.”
Darius wasn’t certain he bought that. Perhaps he’d press his father for more later. He turned to Doreen. “What happened between you and Nessa?”
“I don’t know.” Doreen’s eyes remained on the front doors as though she could still see Nessa. “We’ve never been friends, but she’s never been so confrontational toward me, either.”
“She seemed to have it in for you.” Simon shifted his stance.
Something in his father’s voice put Darius on alert.
“And what did she mean that everything’s always been handed to me?” Doreen sounded more curious than offended.
Peyton touched Doreen’s forearm in a brief but sympathetic gesture. “Sometimes people make accusations that are unfounded and unjust.”
“Like claiming someone’s a player when he’s not.” Darius gave Peyton an innocent look, watching as a blush rose into her cheeks.
Peyton looked away from him and continued. “I wouldn’t spend any time worrying about it.”
Doreen shook her head. “I need to fix this. When I’m mayor, I’ll have to work with Nessa and the other council members to get projects done.”
“CeCe’s council president.” Darius straightened his fedora. “She’ll keep Nessa from turning the council’s work into Nessa’s personal agenda.”
Simon shrugged. “Nessa’s off her rocker. I’d ignore her.”
Darius faced his father, searching eyes that were so much like his own. “What do you know?”
Simon pressed a finger to his own chest. “Me? What do you mean?”
Darius gave Simon a hard look. “Either she told you something or you’ve heard something that would explain Nessa’s behavior toward Doreen.”
Doreen’s wide-eyed gaze swung between Darius and his father. “Simon, is this true? Do you know something?”
Simon’s expression grew haunted. “I don’t know anything.”
Darius set his jaw. “Yes, you do.”
Simon raised his arms in surrender. “I agreed not to say anything.”
Darius pressed harder. “Dad . . .”
Still Simon hesitated. His troubled gaze moved from Darius to Peyton, lingering on Doreen before returning to his son. “Nessa came to me last summer.” He sighed. “It was her idea that I run for mayor against Doreen.”
CHAPTER 4
Simon Knight wasn’t above lying. Darius knew that. But as far-fetched as his father’s claim sounded, Darius believed he was telling the truth.
Still, Darius pinned Simon with a skeptical stare. “Why would Nessa ask you to run for mayor of Trinity Falls?”
“She thought I’d do a good job.” Simon seemed to believe his own words. “She said I was a strong candidate to challenge Doreen in the election.”
Darius shook his head. “Nessa may have told you that, but those can’t be the real reasons she wanted you in the campaign.” In his peripheral vision, he caught Peyton’s surprised expression. “What is it?”
Peyton’s gaze slid from Simon back to Darius. “I’m just surprised at how blunt you are.”
Darius frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Never mind.” Peyton shook her head. “Why else would Nessa encourage your father to run for mayor if she didn’t think he was qualified?”
“That’s what we’re trying to understand.” Doreen studied Simon as though trying to determine what Nessa saw in him. “Simon doesn’t get involved in civic issues. Everyone who knows him knows that. No offense, Simon, but it’s the truth.”
“None taken.” Simon threw back his shoulders. “But, if everyone in town believes that, why did two hundred people sign my petition to have my name added to the ballot?”
“Two hundred people signed your petition, but there are fifteen hundred residents in town.” Darius cocked his head. “What did Nessa say when you told her you were pulling out of the campaign?”
“Not much.” Simon pinned him with a hard stare. “Just that I wasn’t a viable candidate anymore because you’d introduced Noah.” Simon said that as though it had been a bad thing.
“Maybe Nessa just wanted a competitive election.” Peyton’s comment claimed Darius’s attention.
Darius snorted. “Then she would have chosen a stronger candidate than my father.”
“I’m standing right here, Darius.” Simon’s tone was dry.
Peyton spread her arms. “Maybe people you’d have considered stronger candidates weren’t interested in challenging Doreen for office.”
“Then why propose a candidate at all?” Darius shoved his hands into the front pockets of his Dockers.
It took all of his concentration to have this debate with Peyton while she wore that smoking-hot Catwoman costume. The outfit was better suited to a completely different line of conversation.
Darius’s gaze sought refuge at the front of the store. He found Noah and June standing with Ean, Megan, Ramona, Audra, and Jackson on the perimeter of the story time crowd. According to his silver Timex Batman watch—and the smells of apple cider and fresh-baked cookies—story time was almost over. Judging by Stan’s grin and the expressions on the children’s faces, the reading was a huge success. Screams and shrill gasps periodically rent asunder the bookstore’s usual quiet. Some of those sound effects came from the parents who’d brought their children.
Megan and Ramona were all but bouncing with joy. They didn’t do their Halloween or Christmas events for the money. They did special celebrations for the children. Right now, both women seemed like big kids themselves.
Peyton continued. “Perhaps you should just ask Nessa what she’s up to.”
A look of horror settled on Simon’s sepia features. “I wasn’t supposed to let anyone know that she supported my campaign.”
“Don’t worry. I understand the need to protect a source.” Darius looked around the group. “I’ll find another way to learn what Nessa’s up to.”
“I appreciate your letting me join you for the town meeting.” Peyton followed Vaughn Brooks, Trinity Falls University’s concert director, into the town hall Tuesday evening.
They snaked their way through the crowd swelling the antechamber of the building’s largest conference room. Vaughn’s six-foot, broad
-shouldered frame paved a path where Peyton was certain her five-foot-plus stature would not.
“You’re a Trinity Falls resident now,” Vaughn spoke over his shoulder. The hall’s light shone on the smooth nutmeg-hued skin of his clean-shaven head. “You should witness firsthand how your new government works.”
Peyton surveyed the crush of bodies around her as she unbuttoned her double-breasted burgundy wool coat. She’d thought Ohio would be colder in late October. She’d been wrong. “Are all of these people here for the council meeting?”
“Yep.” Vaughn sounded pleased. “And even more will show up later.”
Peyton stared in amazement. “I’ve seen crowds like this one lining up for Broadway shows.”
Vaughn chuckled. “We’re not quite ready for the stage. But our council meetings do get pretty entertaining.”
Peyton smiled. Vaughn was such a nice person. He’d taken her under his wing, helping her navigate the university’s campus and especially its administrative offices. Now he was helping her get acclimated to the town.
She stared at the band director’s broad back as he led her into the assembly room. He was in great physical shape. A well-groomed goatee enhanced his ruggedly handsome features. But Trinity Falls was full of attractive men, a single woman’s fantasy: Vaughn, Dr. Quincy Spates, Ean Fever, Jackson Sansbury, and Darius Knight.
Peyton was surprised to see even more people socializing in the assembly room before the council meeting. Doreen, Megan, Ean, Jackson, Audra, and Darius stood toward the front of the room.
Vaughn led her to them. “I thought it was time to expose our newest resident to one of our greatest traditions, the Trinity Falls Town Council meeting.”
“I thought the Books and Bakery Halloween celebration was the town’s greatest tradition.” Peyton struggled to keep her gaze from lingering on the reporter.
Several other women in the room didn’t seem to have her willpower. In his gunmetal-gray sport coat, snow-white shirt, burgundy tie, and black pants, Darius looked as though he’d dressed for a men’s clothing commercial.
“The Halloween celebration is just one of Trinity Falls many great traditions.” Megan adopted a humble tone even as her wide chocolate eyes twinkled with mischief.