Peyton was lost in the moment. Laughter and friendship carried her away. Without stopping to think, she jumped sides. “I’m probably making a politically inadvisable move, considering I’m new to Trinity Falls and a professor with the local university. But for once, I don’t want to play by the rules.” Peyton pumped her fist in the air. “Go, Sequoia!”
Did the surprise in Darius’s eyes mirror her own expression?
Boos and hisses mingled with cheers. But Peyton heard only Darius’s laughter, warm, deep, and rumbling. She studied his close-cropped hair, angular features, smiling lips, then lost herself in his midnight eyes. This was the reason women in Trinity Falls were infatuated with Darius Knight. Yes, he was handsome—extremely attractive—and smart. But he also helped the town drunk get sober. He cheered for his school’s rival because his brother was on Sequoia’s team. He was a player with a heart of gold. She could see herself falling for him.
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.”