Read Online Trinity Falls by Regina Hart - Free Book Online Page B

look for his inappropriate laughter. “I’m sorry, Sheriff.”
    â€œNo need to be.” His calm acceptance soothed Megan. “I took the afternoon shift so my deputies with families could take their children to your party. It’s a fun event for the kids.”
    â€œThat was nice of you.” Ramona gave him a sweet smile.
    The older man’s shrug was uncomfortable. “Doreen looks very nice in her movie star outfit.”
    â€œDoreen’s spoken for.” Darius’ smile teased the older man.
    â€œCan’t a man appreciate a pretty woman without having any designs on her.” Alonzo turned to Ean. “No disrespect intended.”
    â€œNone taken.” Ean’s tense tone belied his words.
    Alonzo nodded. “Well, I’d better get back to work.”
    â€œThanks for stopping by, Sheriff.” Megan laid her hand on his shoulder. “It’s always good to see you.”
    Alonzo nodded before strolling away.
    Ean caught Megan’s attention. “Dracula was singing inappropriate bar songs to your customers.”
    Megan threw up her hands. “Oh, for Pete’s sake.”
    Ean caught her arm as she started past him. “My mother brought him into the kitchen. She’s giving him coffee.”
    The warmth of his touch through the sleeve of her costume made her shiver. Megan exhaled before addressing Ramona. “What were you thinking to hire Stan Crockett to read to a bunch of kids in our store?”
    Quincy gaped at Ramona. “ You hired him?”
    Ramona’s ebony eyes were innocent. “He needed money.”
    â€œTo buy alcohol.” Megan wanted to throw back her head and scream. Why wouldn’t Ramona understand?
    â€œIt’ll be OK, Megan.” Ean released his hold on Megan’s arm.
    She bit her lip to keep from protesting his withdrawal.
    â€œEan’s right, Meggie.”
    â€œDon’t call me that.” Her cousin added insult to injury with that obnoxious nickname.
    Ramona continued, unfazed. “Doreen’s giving him coffee. He’ll sober right up.”
    â€œHave you seen him?” Megan’s throat ached under the strain of keeping her voice level.
    Darius snorted. “There isn’t enough coffee in the store to sober up old Stan.”
    Ramona frowned. “He promised me he wouldn’t drink before the reading.”
    â€œHe lied.” Quincy stated the obvious.
    Ramona’s dark eyes snapped at him. “He said he needed work to rebuild his self-esteem and get off the alcohol.”
    Megan took a deep breath. She counted to ten, then exhaled. “How are you going to fix this, Ramona?”
    â€œMe?” Ramona pressed her index finger against her chest. “Why do I have to fix it?”
    â€œBecause . . .” Megan pressed her lips together, hating herself for not being able to stand up to her older cousin.
    Quincy crossed his arms. “You hired him. You should be the one to fire him, Mona.”
    â€œDon’t call me that.” Ramona gave the group a stubborn look. “Let’s wait and see. Once Stan’s sober, he’ll read to the children. It’ll boost his self-esteem, and your party’ll be a howling success, just as it always is.”
    Megan’s skull started to ache. She was sympathetic to Stan. She really was. But Ramona had taken empathy to the edge of reason.
    â€œThe parents who brought their children here are on a schedule. So is the store.” Megan checked her red Timex. “The reading is supposed to start in seven minutes.”
    â€œYou and your schedules.” Ramona rolled her eyes. “What’ll happen if story time starts late? Will the kids turn into pumpkins?”
    Darius bent over, laughing.
    Megan thought her head would explode. “How long will it take for Stan to get sober?”
    Quincy scratched his chin. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him sober.”
    Darius shrugged.