Wishing Lake Read Online Free PDF Page B

into coming to the celebration. These friends formed a family. They showed each other unconditional love and unwavering support, with few exceptions. It was a new experience for her, one she welcomed.
    “I want in on this bet.” Ean’s comment drew her from her wistful thoughts.
    Darius offered Ean his hand. “Absolutely. You can buy me an order of spicy buffalo wings.”
    “Now, wait a minute.” June grabbed Darius’s wrist, stopping the men from shaking hands. She offered Ean her hand instead. “You can buy my beer.”
    Laughter erupted again.
    Darius patted June’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit, June. Anyone else want to stand with the champions?”
    Megan smiled. “Darius, I love you, but you’ve lost your mind if you think Heritage is going down to Sequoia. You can buy my beer next month.”
    “And mine, too.” Ramona set her hands on her trim hips. “The mayor’s office will always support Heritage.”
    “You’ve got that right,” Doreen agreed. “Especially after all the time and money I poured into that football program.”
    Audra chuckled. “Something tells me I won’t have access to Doreen’s Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownies if I bet against Heritage.”
    “That’s fine.” Darius wrapped his arms around Noah and June again. “It’ll just be the three of us against all of you.”
    “Not so fast.” Stan stepped forward to stand beside June. “I’m putting my chips in with you. But someone can buy me a soda if Sequoia wins.”
    The group cheered again.
    Simon squared his shoulders. “There’s no way I’m betting against my sons.”
    Noah’s eyes widened as though taken off guard by the older man’s words.
    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