Read Online Shadows at Sunset: Sunset Trilogy ~ Book 1 by Tonya Royston - Free Book Online

platinum-blonde hair. She was the head cheerleader and the most sought after girl in our class. All of the boys were in love with her, but she treated them like toys. Her friends, also cheerleaders, followed her like puppies. A part of me envied them. Not just because they were pretty and popular, but because they were normal and they fit in, something I couldn’t relate to. As I continued watching them, a guy I didn’t recognize approached them. From a distance, I could only tell that he was tall and lean with dark hair. “Who’s that?”
    “Who?” Brooke asked.
    “That guy over there talking to Marlena.”
    Marlena beamed at him, flipping her hair back over her shoulder. I could tell even from across the crowded lawn that she was trying to impress him.
    “Oh, him. That’s Noah Lawson, your dad’s new recruit. I saw him a few days ago in town from a distance. He’s really hot. I told you about him, remember?” Brooke rolled her eyes. “Looks like Marlena has staked her claim on him.”
    “Isn’t he a little old for her?”
    “She’s eighteen. Remember her huge birthday party that we weren’t invited to? Although, if he has any sense at all, he’ll stay away from her. Because, if he doesn’t, he’ll have to be very careful where he puts his hands, not to mention other things.” Brooke looked back at me with a sparkle in her eyes, and we both laughed. Then she asked, “So, are you ready to start your senior year as the local hero?”
    “You’re giving me too much credit. Dakota’s the real hero.” I stopped short as her parents approached us and asked about the night I found Ryder. I answered them politely, only this time referring to Dakota as a stray dog. As I spoke, my attention reverted back to the scene across the lawn. Marlena had moved closer to Noah, and he had turned slightly so that I could see the side of his face. He was wearing the town police uniform of blue jeans and a light blue button down shirt, a silver badge pinned to the front pocket. From a distance, I could tell that Brooke was right. He was gorgeous.
    As I watched him, his gaze wandered across the lawn until it settled on me. Even hiding behind my sunglasses, I felt like I’d been caught staring and I snapped my attention back to Brooke’s parents. They looked at me expectantly, as if they were waiting for me to speak. “I’m sorry. Did you ask me something?” I asked sheepishly.
    Brooke’s mother smiled with understanding. “I’m sure this is a lot to handle right now.” She motioned to the crowd. “They all came to see you. I was asking if you had prepared a speech.”
    I nearly choked at her question. “Speech? Um, no. I haven’t even thought about that. I have no idea what to say.”
    “Well, you better think fast,” Brooke said. “It looks like the mayor is about to begin.”
    I looked over at the gazebo. Mayor Hobbs, dressed in khaki slacks and a white polo shirt, his short gray hair brushed perfectly into place, stood at the front and center. He held a microphone in his hand. “May I have everyone’s attention?”
    A hush fell over the audience as his voice echoed from the loudspeakers. A baby cried and the voice of a young child broke through the silence every few seconds.
    Once all eyes were focused on him, the mayor began. “Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to gather here to pay our respects to one very special girl.”
    As he rambled on about Ryder’s rescue as if no one knew yet, I tuned him out and looked at Brooke. She took a deep breath and mouthed, “Sorry.”
    I turned my attention back to the mayor just in time to hear him say, “Please give a warm welcome to Laken Sumner.” He held his free hand up over his eyes to shield them from the sun as he scanned the crowd for me. “Laken, please join me up here.”
    I slowly rose to my feet and handed my sunglasses to Brooke. Everyone watched me as I walked along the outer edge of the