Wishing Lake Read Online Free Page B

Mr. Knight.” Peyton offered Simon a tentative smile.
    “Call me Simon.” Was his father flirting with the professor?
    “I’m Peyton.”
    Tension built in Darius’s neck and shoulders as he observed Simon’s easy exchange with Peyton. Am I actually jealous of my father?
    He considered Simon’s costume again. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
    “Your mother’s the one who never wanted to come.” Simon slid a glance toward Peyton. “Now that I’m a single man, I can go wherever I like.”
    Darius’ stomach turned again. “You’re not single.”
    Simon smiled. “Yet.”
    A movement in the corner of his eye drew Darius’s attention. Stan Crockett hesitated just outside the group’s circle. Darius waved him closer. “Hey, Stan.”
    “Hi, Darius.” Stan nodded at him. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before turning to the McCloud women. “Good afternoon, Ramona, Megan. Thank you for giving me another chance with the children’s story time. I apologize for my behavior last year. I won’t disappoint you today.”
    “Stan?” Megan blinked her wide cinnamon eyes. “You look great.”
    Stan’s nervousness eased and a grin brightened his expression. “Thanks, I feel great. But I didn’t know whether I should wear a costume.”
    Megan waved a hand. “A costume isn’t necessary.”
    Darius shared a silent exchange with Ean and Jackson.
    Megan’s surprise was understandable. The Stan Crockett standing with them today bore very little resemblance to the town drunk who’d sang dirty ditties to schoolchildren last year. His green eyes were clear and direct against his healthy, though pale, skin. His dark blond hair had been washed and professionally trimmed away from his clean-cut, sharp features. Black Dockers and a brown sweater hung loose on his thin, six-foot frame. But the clothes were clean.
    Megan continued to stare at Stan. “I don’t mean to pry, but I’ve got to ask. What happened?”
    Stan’s chuckle broke in the middle. His gaze circled the other six people in the group. “I’ve joined an alcoholics recovery program, thanks to Darius.”
    All eyes turned to him. Darius kept his attention on Stan. “Stan’s been sober for almost a year. His recovery is all thanks to his own hard work.”
    “No.” Stan’s reply was firm. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help and belief in me. You saved my life.”
    Their stares bore into him. Darius registered Peyton’s attention more keenly than the others. But he was too self-conscious to return her gaze.
    “Well, Darius, I guess you’re not an asshole.” Ramona’s drawl broke his tension.
    He looked into her smiling ebony eyes. “That’s high praise from you.”
    There was a time when he and Ramona couldn’t stand each other. Now that she was dating one of his best friends, they were both making an effort to get along.
    Darius glanced toward the front of the store as three women entered dressed as flappers. He blinked, but the mirage didn’t disappear. The new arrivals only drew closer.
    “Mom?” Darius blinked again.
    Beside him, his father tensed. “Ethel?” Simon sounded as though he were choking.
    Darius’s mother as well as Ean’s mother, Doreen, and Jackson’s girlfriend, Audra, wore similar flapper costumes: a black headband with a matching feather; sequined, tank-style dress with spaghetti straps and fringe hem; and black pumps. The only difference was the color of their dresses. Ethel’s was silver, Doreen’s copper, and Audra’s gold.
    Jackson crossed to Audra. He took her arm and spun her around, causing her hem to flare. “You’re beautiful.”
    “Great costume, Mom.” Ean’s voice was warm with affection.
    Darius’s mother seemed like a different person. She looked ten years younger and ten times happier than he’d ever seen her. He didn’t know what to say.
    Simon didn’t have that problem. “Ethel, what the hell’re you wearing?”
    “Who the hell wants to know?” Ethel