Texas Lonestar (Texas Heroes Book 4) Read Free Page A

their pathway lit by the big school sign declaring ‘Go Vaqueros!’ in bright white lights. “I sure do like your hair. How are you?” she asked her friend. 
    “Thank-you. I’m good.” Melody smiled, flipping a long lock of her curly hair behind her. “Do you want to hang with me tonight? Us wallflowers have to stick together. We can plan what plays the Drama Club will do this year.”
    Lennon smiled at her friend, giving her a wide-eyed stare. “I would love to spend some time with you. You’re as pretty as a picture tonight.” She admired Melody’s pretty blue dress, obviously new. “But miracle of miracles…” Grabbing her friend by both hands, she stage-whispered. “I have a date!”
    “You do?” The joy on Melody’s face was unmistakable. “With who?”
    “Colin! He sent a message by Tony who gave it to me at church. Colin has been emailing me all week!” The elation in her voice made people stare as they walked by.
    “Where is he?” Melody asked, looking from side to side.
    “Inside with the other guys, I suppose. It’s a hot night to be just lounging around outside waiting for me to show up.” Arm in arm they moved toward the wide double doors. Through them, Lennon could see the burgundy and white balloons, their school colors. A big welcome banner hung over the door and when one couple entered ahead of them, she could hear the sound of the DJ as he announced the next song.
    As they entered, Melody gave her hand a tug. “I’m going to the restroom. I’ll see you inside.”
    Lennon nodded. She probably should go in and check her appearance, not that it would do any good. In her haste and excitement, she hadn’t even brought a lipstick with her. Face it, she just wasn’t used to being girly. With a tremble of excitement, she stepped into the main room, taking in the scene before her. Everything was as gaily decorated as their small school budget would allow. Couples were dancing to the music; others were standing around the refreshment table. But when someone spoke loudly–it all came to a screeching halt.
    “Attention everyone, it’s time for our evening’s entertainment to begin!”
    Lennon stopped where she was on the top step of the entrance way. When a spotlight hit her, an uneasy tingle made its way down her spine. The crowd parted and Elton Warner appeared. Oh, no. For some reason, Elton hated her. This couldn’t be good. From the time they were in elementary school, he’d led numerous attacks against her. Anything to make her feel uncomfortable or humiliated was his usual goal.
    As she stood there, the movie Carrie came to mind and she glanced up–just making sure there was no bucket of pig’s blood hanging over her head. No, nothing there. But that only meant he’d come up with something better. She steeled herself, looking for Colin.
    “Ladies and Gentlemen! You are all invited to witness the hook-up of the century. Colin Ferguson, meet your blind date!”
    Blind date? Lennon started to shake. No, this wasn’t a blind date. Even as she reminded herself how all of this had gone down, a sneaky suspicion began to creep up her spine. She probably should’ve run, but her feet were frozen to the ground. Her eyes desperately searched the crowd.
    “What the hell?”
    Colin Ferguson came from the rear, dressed in a dark brown suit. He looked amazing. She waited for him to come toward her. “Colin?” she whispered, not loud enough for her voice to broadcast across the room.
    “Colin, your friends wanted to give you an early birthday gift. For your dating pleasure, we offer the delectable…the desirable…the laughable–Lennon Haley!”
    There was a moment of silence–of dead quiet as everyone digested what Elton announced. Slowly, a few people began to snicker. Then, a few more began to laugh. Colin came closer, staring hard at Lennon with a frown on his handsome face. She felt like a small helpless bug under a microscope. “My date?” he said scathingly. “Are you