Wishing Lake Read Online Free Page A

to Ramona, then back. “All right.”
    Darius’s relief was short-lived as Megan zeroed in on him, Jackson, and Ean. They were on the precipice of another crisis.
    Megan clenched her fists. “Oh, for heaven’s sake! Where are your costumes?”
    Ean rushed to reassure her. “We’re wearing costumes. I’m a corporate executive. I’m even wearing a power tie.” He smoothed the red silk fabric.
    “I’m a repairman.” Jackson wore a brown flannel shirt tucked into faded blue jeans.
    Megan narrowed her eyes at Darius. “Isn’t that the same outfit you wore last year?”
    Darius touched his gray stitch fedora. The name tag on his teal sweater read M EMBER OF THE P RESS. “I couldn’t think of anything else.”
    “It barely passed for a costume last year.” Megan scowled.
    “Oh, here’s Peyton.” Ramona’s voice was excited. “Doesn’t she look great ?”
    Darius looked over his shoulder . . . and almost swallowed his tongue. That was Dr. Peyton Harris?
    The pocket-sized siren striding toward him looked as though someone had painted her into an old-school Catwoman costume. She’d accessorized her black stretch polyester jumpsuit with matching gloves, a gold belt, and a long, gold coin necklace. Her headband with feline ears peeked over the top of her riot of copper curls. The university professor appeared to have stepped straight out of the campy 1960s Batman television series.
    “You look fantastic .” Ramona greeted the shorter woman with a hug. Darius wanted to change places with the mayor.
    Peyton returned Ramona’s embrace. “Thank you. I’ve never worn anything this revealing before.” She sounded nervous.
    The professor stepped back and somehow ended up standing right beside him. How had Ramona managed that? Not that Darius was complaining.
    “Thank you for wearing a costume.” Megan sent a scathing look toward him, Ean, and Jackson. “Not everyone got into the spirit of the event.”
    Ean protested. “Honey, we’re wearing costumes. They’re just very simple.”
    Peyton gave Darius a once-over. Her gaze lingered on his fedora. “What are you supposed to be?”
    Darius tapped the white sticky label affixed to his sweater. “I’m the press.”
    “Are you serious?” Peyton laughed. The warm sound bubbled up from her chest to pour over him like spring water. “You could have put a little more effort into it.”
    “How?”
    “I don’t know.” Peyton’s caramel eyes danced with amusement. “Maybe you could have used a prop like an audio recorder or even a pen. But really, this is just sorry.” Her voice broke on more laughter.
    Darius gestured toward her jumpsuit. “You look great. I never would’ve guessed you were a Catwoman fan.”
    Peyton’s laughter faded, but her smile remained. She had perfect teeth. “It was Ramona’s idea.”
    He should have known. He’d bet his comic book collection that Ramona had encouraged Peyton to choose the Catwoman costume because the caped crusader was Darius’s favorite superhero.
    Darius stilled. He was thinking like his father. The realization turned his stomach. Not everything revolved around him. Maybe Ramona just knew the little professor would make a hot Catwoman.
    “Great party, Megan.” Simon’s greeting came from right behind Darius.
    So his father had been serious about attending the event this year. Darius forced himself to relax and face the older man. Simon wore a brown cowboy hat, navy shirt, faded blue jeans, black boots, and a brown duster. His red kerchief around his neck completed the Wild West look.
    Megan gave Simon a beaming smile. “Thank you, Simon. Great costume.” She sent another shaming look to the other men in the group.
    “Thank you. I ordered it on the Internet.” Simon squeezed his way between Darius and the university professor. “And who do we have here?”
    Darius made the introductions against his better judgment. “Dr. Peyton Harris, this is my father, Simon Knight.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,