“You need a chairperson who’s been here longer. Their knowledge of the community would serve the town better.” Peyton nudged aside a cantaloupe chunk with her fork.
“You wouldn’t be leading the committee alone. There are a few people I’ve got in mind to cochair with you.”
“Who?”
“I’d rather wait until I ask them.” Ramona’s smile didn’t inspire trust. “So what do you say? Will you help the town?”
When she put it like that, how could Peyton refuse? “You don’t waste any time, do you? You proposed the fundraiser Tuesday night. It’s only been five days.”
Ramona leaned into the table, propping her chin on her palm. “You strike me as a decisive woman.”
Peyton laughed her surprise. “This is a big decision.”
“But it’s for a very good cause.” Ramona pinched a grape from Peyton’s fruit bowl. “And it will be a good way for you to meet your neighbors and learn more about the community.”
Peyton enjoyed fundraising and she was good at it. She’d learned from the best—her mother. They’d worked together on several university as well as community fundraisers. Ramona was right. She had the experience. Then why was she hesitating?
Because she was afraid she wouldn’t be good enough. This would be her first fundraiser without her mother’s guidance. Could she handle the project without Irene Biery Harris’s help? There was only one way to find out.
“All right.” Peyton set aside her fruit. “I’ll cochair the fundraising committee on—”
“Wonderful.” Ramona clapped her hands together. “You won’t regret—”
“I do have one condition.” Peyton held up both hands, palms out. “The other cochair has to be willing to partner with me. I don’t want to be a part of a project with someone who isn’t willing to work as a team.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to work with you.” Ramona smiled.
“He?” Warning bells chimed in the back of Peyton’s mind.
“Darius.” Ramona looked toward the café counter. “I think this would be a great experience for him as well.”
“Darius?” Peyton’s eyes stretched wide as she, too, turned to look at the reporter. “I don’t know if recruiting him would be such a great idea. He’s going to think you’re playing matchmaker again.”
“I know.” Ramona sighed. “He’s so paranoid. I think it’s the investigative reporter in him.”
“Is he right?”
Ramona held Peyton’s gaze. “What if he is?”
Peyton was both amused and incredulous. “Then I think you and your friends are going to be very frustrated. Darius isn’t interested in me.”
Why does that thought depress me?
Ramona gave her a secret smile. “What if you’re wrong?”
CHAPTER 5
Alonzo’s doorbell rang just before seven o’clock Sunday evening. The sound reverberated in his chest, causing his heart to skip a beat and his thoughts to scatter. Doreen. The time had finally come: November second, the Day of the Dead.
Hosting this celebration for Doreen and their friends was one of the most important things he’d ever done in h
is life. What if it backfired? Alonzo wiped his damp palms on the seams of his black denim pants, then crossed to his front door. He took a moment to gather himself before pulling it open. Doreen stood on the other side. She took his breath away. She always did. Her smile made his head spin and his body warm.
“I’m glad you came.” Alonzo offered her his hand and helped her across the threshold.
“So am I.” Her voice was warm but a little tentative, as though she wasn’t completely confident of being here.
Alonzo drew her to him to greet her with a kiss. Her coat was cool against his jersey and pants. He drew her closer to share his body heat, then lowered his head to hers. Her lips were soft and sweet, her body yielding in his embrace. Her mouth parted, allowing his tongue to steal inside. Her slender arms slipped over his chest to twine around his neck. Alonzo’s body heated.