Mystic Park by Regina Hart

didn’t confide to her the reason for his distant behavior, she was considering making the unilateral decision to postpone their wedding—if she could get her heart to agree.

    â€œI’m going to need help coordinating the play.” Vaughn Brooks followed Darius to one of the few available tables in Books & Bakery’s café Tuesday.
    It was lunchtime and the place was packed. Employees from local businesses, and students, staff, and faculty from Trinity Falls University were looking to console their sorrows over the start of a new week with Doreen’s famous Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownies.
    â€œI had a feeling you might.” Darius spoke over his shoulder as he closed in on the table for two. “A production that ambitious is more than a one-man show.”
    â€œI gave it my best shot.” Vaughn lowered himself onto a chair at the small, white, rectangular table. He was glad Darius had snagged the spot before anyone else had claimed it. “There’s a lot to do: scheduling, auditions, costumes, props.”
    â€œNot to mention promoting the performance and managing the ticket orders.” Darius bit into his turkey-and-cheddar-on-wheat sandwich.
    â€œI was thinking of asking Peyton again. She turned me down the first time.” Vaughn scooped his spoon through his chicken-and-wild-rice soup.
    â€œWhy?” Darius paused with his iced tea halfway to his mouth.
    â€œShe said she didn’t have experience with theater performances. But she did a great job with the fund-raising event for the Guiding Light Community Center.”
    Vaughn studied Darius for his reaction to his request. This past fall, The Trinity Falls Monitor ’s managing editor had thought Vaughn and Peyton were dating. In truth, Vaughn was one of several Trinity Falls residents who were matchmaking Darius and Trinity Falls University’s newest faculty member. Now that Darius and Peyton were the latest happy couple in their little town, did the newspaper man harbor any lingering resentments toward him?
    Darius sipped his drink. “You’re right. Peyton did a great job on the charity dance. The entire fund-raising committee worked really hard and raised a lot of money for the center.”
    Vaughn appreciated Darius’s generous words since he was one of the members of the fund-raising committee. “Do you think I could convince her to help with the play?”
    â€œUnder different circumstances, probably. But as you know, TFU hasn’t replaced Ken Hartford yet.” Darius mentioned the recently retired head of the Department of History. “That means all of the history professors are carrying extra courses and advising additional students. Her plate’s pretty full right now.”
    â€œI hadn’t thought about that.” Vaughn looked down at his bowl of soup and his half chicken-and-pepper-jack-cheese-on-wheat sandwich. He wanted to produce this musical. But to do it well, he needed help; someone who was meticulous, well organized, who could multitask and manage difficult people. Someone like Peyton, but with an edge.
    â€œI know someone who could help you.” Darius’s words were like lifelines thrown to a drowning man.
    â€œWho?” Hope sprang anew.
    â€œBenita Hawkins.”
    Time slowed to a crawl. Vaughn’s blood roared in his ears. His pulse pounded in his throat. In their past, the idea of working with Benita had filled him with excitement. Now there was dread mixed with enthusiasm. He’d thought he’d see her again last Friday. Ms. Helen and Benita had been on TFU’s campus that morning. But Ms. Helen had stopped by his office alone. Obviously, Benita was avoiding him. Even if he could see himself working with her, would she want anything to do with him?
    â€œThat wouldn’t be a good idea.” Vaughn made himself swallow more soup.
    â€œWhy not? Benita has experience managing performers and performances. She’s