Chapter 25

25

The smell of smoke still lingered in the brisk October air outside the roller rink, but the winds had blown it all out of the area. Kinsley could barely contain her excitement as she waited outside the door with Dev and Jada for the next arrival. Not only had she been able to review her memories with them, but this one had come to life.

Dev was wearing lime green pants and a matching knit shirt that had belonged to his dad. Kinsley wanted to wear a blue paisley jumpsuit with a riot of flowers covering nearly all of the fabric, but so did Jada. This was the same jumpsuit they'd argued over when they were kids, so they had played Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide. They'd used the same method last night and Jada won, so Sandy gave Kinsley an outfit of wide-legged jeans with flower patches sewn on the bells and a psychedelic blouse. A nice choice, but not the jumpsuit.

"I can't believe everyone agreed to come tonight." Jada rubbed her arms to stay warm.

"I'm excited to meet them." Kinsley didn't have to rub her arms. Anticipation kept her dancing in place as she waited for the remaining guests. Not one person had said no. A couple people even canceled plans they'd had for the evening to come to the Blast From the Past.

A large black SUV parked in the lot, and an older woman with a blond braid down her back emerged. She wore extra-wide bell-bottom jeans, an orange suede jacket with fringes, and a belt tied at her trim waist. Ryan and his wife Mia stepped out, too, so Kinsley assumed the older woman was Barbie Maddox.

Seeing all the sixties attire was equally as fun as bringing this memory to life. Mia wore hot pink stretch pants and a cropped jacket in a plaid pattern with a pink T-shirt underneath. Ryan had on a knit shirt with a collar in an aqua color and khaki pants that barely reached his shoes, revealing colorful, patterned socks.

Barbie hung a pair of roller skates tied together by the laces over her shoulder and started their way. The man accompanying her wore orange pants and a green paisley long-sleeve shirt buttoned up to the neck. Despite the fashion-forward sixties outfit, he looked pretty straight-laced, while she seemed to be a free spirit.

The older woman stopped by Dev, and a scent of honey and vanilla filled the air. "Thank you for inviting us." She turned to Kinsley and clasped her hands. "Barbie and Hank Maddox. We're delighted to meet you and welcome you to our extended family. We'll have to get together for lunch and catch up."

"I'd like that," Kinsley said, now that she knew she was going to be living in Shadow Lake.

Sandy offered to let Kinsley stay at her house in town rent-free, and with no housing to pay for, Kinsley could work part-time, and the travel wouldn't be that big of a deal. So she could definitely do a lunch with Barbie, who'd done so much to make this night special.

Kinsley squeezed Barbie's hands. "Thank you for arranging the clothing for some of the guys. Your selections are wonderful."

"No big deal. I know the perfect retro shop in Portland, and all I needed was their sizes." Barbie studied the men. "Don't they look fab? But trust me, the best is yet to come."

She'd piqued Kinsley's interest for sure, and now she couldn't wait for the others to get there. "Pizza is served. I hope you enjoy the night."

"Are you kidding?" Ryan's eyes crinkled with humor as he circled an arm around his mother's shoulder. "This night was made for my mom."

"No truer words were ever said." Hank's lack of enthusiasm came through in his flat tone. "We'll probably be here till the place closes down."

"Now, Hank." Barbie pursed her lips lacquered in orange lipstick. "Let loose for once, and let's have a good time like we used to do before the kids and your formal accountant job."

He rubbed his neck. "I'll do my best. Just for you, my love."

"Aw." Barbie flung her arms around him. "See, this is the part of Hank nobody ever sees but me, and why we'll be together till death do us part."

Hank sputtered. "Don't want the pizza to get cold."

He removed her arms to take her hand and lead her toward the door.

Barbie looked over her shoulder. "It's good to see you, too, Jada. This guy is in a hurry to get to the pizza, and I never stand between him and food. Find us inside so I can hug your neck."

Ryan laughed. "They're a lot to get used to, but thanks for inviting them."

"And two of the sweetest people you could ever meet," Mia added. "I've known them for so many years, and not my best years. They've forgiven and forgotten all of my bad behavior in high school to include me in the family. I'll love them dearly even if our little Austin and any future children might end up wearing wide-legged jeans and tie-dye."

Ryan kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad I found a wife who appreciates them."

Mia ran a hand over her outfit. "How could you not appreciate someone who had pink stretch pants from the sixties in her closet?"

They all laughed, and Mia and Ryan stepped into the building. Not a minute passed before two more vehicles rolled into the lot.

She recognized Micha, his fiancée Ava, and Russ, but not the other two women or boy with them.

The groups merged and made their way across the parking lot, Ava and Micha hanging back. Ava wore the most interesting of outfits. She had on white go-go boots below a tiny black miniskirt, with an orange-and-black striped top boasting a heart cut-out in the middle of the chest. Micha wore brown corduroys with a green striped sweater and a corduroy newsboy hat.

The other woman wore yards of pleated fabric with a white princess neckline, like pregnant women wore in the sixties to hide their baby bumps. She had to be Sydney. Next to her, a teenager with hair dyed a wild shade of blue was wearing a modern outfit of skinny jeans and a T-shirt, and she dragged her feet as if she didn't want to be there. But the boy skipped along as if eager to get to skating. He, too, wore a basic pair of jeans but paired it with a dinosaur T-shirt.

But Russ. Russ was the real costume winner tonight. He was wearing red plaid pants with a snug mustard-colored T-shirt and zip-up ankle boots.

Russ introduced Kinsley to his son, Zach, and to Sydney, and finally to the teenager, Sydney's younger sister, Nikki.

Russ cleared his throat and folded his arms across his broad chest. "Before anyone says anything about my clothes, remember I have the power to arrest you."

The group laughed, and when it died down, Nikki stepped forward.

"No fair." She lifted her chin and aimed it at Russ. "I'll never have a chance like this again to make fun of you the way this extreme outfit deserves."

Russ knuckled the teenager's shoulder. "Sorry, kiddo. I know you're right, but cut me some slack. I only did this for your sister." He leaned closer to Nikki and cupped a hand by his mouth. "You know she's crazy hormonal, and you can't say no to her these days without putting your life on the line."

The teenager gave a solemn nod. "This baby can't come soon enough."

"Hey, now," Sydney said. "It's not like I'm not standing here. I heard everything you said."

Kinsley waited for Sydney to get mad, but she just rolled her eyes and laughed. "I know you're right, but let's not air our dirty laundry with everyone."

"Uh, Sydney." Zach looked up at her and scratched his cheek. "Are you having this pregnancy brain thing again? 'Cause we didn't bring any laundry."

The others burst out in laughter.

Zach looked from person to person, but then he shook his head. "Must be one of those things Dad says I'll understand when I'm grown up. Is Jessie here yet?"

"Already inside," Dev said, working to stem his laughter.

"Come on, kid." Sydney rested her hand on Zach's shoulder. "I'll take you to get skates, and we'll find Jessie."

Zach bolted for the door.

"Listen to Nikki," Russ called after him.

"Don't worry," Nikki said. "I'll keep an eye on him."

Russ fist bumped with Nikki, then looked at Kinsley. "He's pumped about tonight, in case you couldn't tell. Nikki not so much, but what can you expect from a seventeen-year-old who's forced to come to an oldies bash on a Friday night?"

"With her sister, no less." Sydney pointed at Russ. "I won't be skating, but I had to come along to see this guy do it. I just can't imagine him as a carefree teenager, wheeling around this rink."

"Me either," Jada said. "But Reid's telling everyone you were the best skater of the Maddox brothers."

Russ puffed up his chest. "He's right about that, but then, when you put the three of us together, I'm pretty much the best of anything."

Sydney punched his shoulder. "And modest, too."

Kinsley laughed. "When's the baby due?"

"In a week. Hopefully he won't come while Russ is wearing skates. I can just see him panic and fall. I don't need an injured father-to-be."

Russ rolled his eyes. "I didn't panic when Zach was born. I won't panic for Jacob."

"You've named him," Kinsley said.

"Out of self-defense." Sydney smiled fondly at her husband. "This one was calling him Bubba, and I was afraid it was going to stick." She laughed.

"Well, have a good time," Kinsley said. "I can't wait to see Russ on skates."

"Then you'll have a long wait." Russ narrowed his gaze. "I might've been the best of the best back in the day, but I'm smart enough to know people have cameras on their phones, and a picture of a roller skating sheriff in red plaid pants doesn't instill confidence, so it's not gonna happen."

"We'll see about that." Sydney tugged him toward the door. Russ looked over his shoulder.

"They're a hard act to follow," Ava said, "so we'll just say hello and talk to you inside."

Without a word, Micha took her hand, and they stepped toward the door.

"That Micha is really the strong, silent type, isn't he?" Kinsley asked.

"Makes him seem kind of mysterious," Jada said.

"Nah," Dev said. "He's just a regular guy who doesn't like to talk much, but when he speaks, we listen."

"Now, Sydney's the exact opposite," Kinsley said. "She's the perfect woman for Russ. She gives him as good as she gets from him."

"I couldn't agree more." Dev lifted his hand, and she slipped hers in his.

Jada shivered. "Is that everyone? I'm turning into a Popsicle and would love to get inside."

Dev snorted. "It's not that cold out here."

"Listen, buddy." Jada poked her brother in the chest. "You're talking to a transplanted California girl now. Anything below seventy is freezing."

"And here I thought you were a tough Navy sailor." Dev flashed her a wry smile, but there was humor in his eyes. "So let's see. That's Ryan and Russ and their parents, and Reid and his family got here early. So did Colin and Brooklyn. Mom's inside and Micha just arrived so that's everyone we're expecting. Time for us to go in."

"I thought you'd never suggest it." Jada bolted for the door, wobbling on her platform shoes and not looking back or waiting for them.

Dev followed, and since Kinsley was holding his hand, she had no choice but to go with him. They stepped into the dark space. The first things that hit her senses were the loud sixties music pounding over large speakers and a disco ball spinning over the circular roller rink as it radiated multi-colored sparkles throughout the space.

"This really is a blast from the past," Dev said, looking around. "Doesn't look like anything has changed except the carpet."

She looked at the black carpet with streaks of turquoise, purple, yellow, and orange running along a low, deep purple wall that surrounded the rink. The same orange tables and turquoise benches from her childhood butted up to the wall.

To her right were yellow benches with black iron legs, lockers in matching yellow, and the skate rental counter. To her left, the kitchen and snack bar took up the whole area. The air held a mixed scent of stale socks and pepperoni. Right now, the pepperoni was winning, and her stomach grumbled.

She was hungry for sure, but she would do whatever Dev wanted to do first because he was uncomfortable even thinking about getting on the skating rink. And not just from the pain in his hip, which she knew was still a problem, but from his lack of success in skating when he was younger.

She looked up at him. "Do you want to get some pizza before we skate?"

He stared out over the rink where some of their guests were skating. "I'd rather get some skating over with before everyone finishes eating and the rink is too crowded."

She hated to ask but… "Is all of this uncertainty because you weren't a very good skater?"

"Ouch." He mocked pulling a knife out of his chest. "You're not messing around, are you?"

"Hey, roller skating is serious business." She grinned. "And I should've said that in a better way. Not so blunt."

"No, you're right. I wasn't very good, and getting on that rink is something I'll do just for you." He took her hand and led her toward the rental counter, where they each picked up a pair of worn, tan skates.

His gaze traveled to his brother, who was getting pizza. "I need to talk to Russ for a second. Be right back."

He took off and held a quick conversation, then he returned, and they sat on the bench to put on the skates. Dev eyed his suspiciously, but he didn't hesitate and slipped into them. She was proud of him for being willing to participate because she wasn't exaggerating when she said he wasn't a very good skater. She remembered him falling a lot and wanting to take his hands and help him around the rink. No matter how many times they'd come here, he'd never improved.

He stood, and his straight-legged pants got hung up at the top. He tried to pull them over, but the bottoms were too narrow to fit. "Not only will I embarrass myself when I fall, but with the color of my clothes, I'll stand out. I look like Kermit the Frog."

She resisted laughing. He was right. His knit shirt was nearly a perfect match to the lime green pants. She didn't have the same problem. Her bell-bottom jeans easily fell over the top of her skates.

She stood and took a moment to gain her balance. "It's been so long, I might take a few spills myself."

He held out his hand. "Let's do this together. One for all and all for one, I say. At least when it comes to me getting out on that rink. You don't know how many times when we came here, I wanted to ask you to help me learn to skate."

"And I wanted to help you." Kinsley shook her head. "All that time wasted, but we have to figure that God had a plan when Jada made us promise not to get together. Everything is in His timing."

"One thing's for sure," He took her other hand and faced her, "it will be all the sweeter for waiting."

"That's so true."

He lowered his head and kissed her. Not the kind of kiss filled with passion, but a sweet, soft kiss that wouldn't embarrass either one of them in public. He quickly leaned back.

She searched his face, and his love for her burned in his expression. She was tempted to throw her arms around him and kiss him soundly, but this wasn't the place or time.

"Now, about that skating," she said.

He groaned, but dropped one of her hands and started for the rink. He wobbled, even on the carpet. They reached the half-wall surrounding the rink. He let go of her hand and grabbed on to the wall as if his life depended on it.

"That's not going to help you learn to skate." She pried one of his hands free and gripped it tightly. "I'll skate backwards and hold both of your hands. Are you game for that?"

He nodded, but his expression was so pinched that guilt nearly had her stop from taking him onto the rink. But they say you have to face your fears, and there was really nothing to fear here. They could try a few laps around the rink and then get some pizza.

She took his other hand. "Let's go."

He looked her deep in the eyes. "I wasn't kidding when I told you I trust you. Completely. And that includes right now."

Love for this man nearly overwhelmed her, but she gave a sharp nod, swallowed hard to keep from tearing up, and started moving backward. He flowed along with her, wobbling a few times, but making good progress.

"See?" she said. "You're doing great. We're almost halfway around the rink and no falls."

"Can't talk," he said. "Must concentrate."

They made a complete revolution, and as they approached the middle on their second turn, he pulled back. "I need to go to the middle of the rink for a minute. Get out of the way of other skaters."

Only a handful of skaters had been on the rink with them, giving them a wide berth. She had no idea why he needed to go to the middle, but he'd faced his fears and done one and a half laps, so she wouldn't question it. She led him to the black circle painted on the wood floor.

They came to a stop, and he released one of her hands to lift his arm above his head and twirled his hand in a signal.

She glanced around to see what he was doing. "What's going on?"

"Just wait."

The music stopped, and soon the soft lyrics of "A Thousand Years" started playing. The song was popular when it was released, and she'd loved it when they played it here for slow skates for couples. Of course she hadn't been part of a couple, but she still enjoyed sitting and looking at Dev from afar, wishing she could've been skating to the song with him.

She met his gaze. "How did you know I love this song?"

"Jada told me," he said. "Plus, I wanted to skate with you back when they played it here."

"Me too." She smiled at him. "We don't have to wait anymore. We can skate to it now."

"In just a minute."

Dev waved his hand again, and Russ came racing over to him on skates. He slid to a stop as if trying to impress everyone.

"What in the world?" Kinsley said. "You said you weren't going to skate."

"Gotta help a bro out when he asks for it, even if it means embarrassing yourself." He took Dev's hand and helped him kneel without faceplanting on his skates.

"Thanks for the assist, man," Dev said to his teammate. "I can handle it from here."

Russ raced off, and Dev reached into his pocket. His hand came out holding a black velvet box.

She gasped.

"Kinsley Pearce, I have loved you for what has felt like a thousand years, just like the song lyrics say. And I'm done waiting. I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. Till death do us part." He opened the box. "Will you marry me?"

She didn't have to think about that question. Not for one second. She held out her left hand. "Of course I will. It felt like more than a thousand years for me, and I would be most honored to be your wife."

He slipped the solitaire diamond set in shiny gold on her finger, and she lifted it up to admire it.

The Jumbotron on the side wall started flashing with the words, She said yes!

Their friends and family started cheering from the sidelines. She couldn't think of a better place for him to propose to her than with everyone who meant so much to her in the room. Sure, she would've liked her parents to be here, but she'd invited them, and they'd chosen not to come. Their loss.

Overwhelming happiness swept over her. She dropped to her knees and flung her arms around Dev's neck. He wobbled and tumbled from his knees to the floor, taking her with him.

"Are you okay?" He anxiously scanned her body.

"Fine. And you?"

"Fine, too." He grinned at her. "I knew I was going to end up on the floor tonight, I just didn't think I'd take you down with me."

She stroked the side of his face. "From this day forward, we do things together, even if it's crashing on the roller rink in front of everyone."

Their friends and family started flocking onto the rink, but she didn't care. She took hold of his face and kissed him soundly. Cheers and whistles erupted from the background, but that didn't stop her from telling the man she was about to marry that she loved him completely through her kiss.

He pulled back. "Wow. Just wow."

She caressed his cheek. "Like you said, it will be all the sweeter for waiting and the waiting is over."

Thank you so much for reading Shadow of Fear . If you've enjoyed the book, I would be grateful if you would post a review on the bookseller's site. Just a few words is all it takes or even leave a rating. Click or tap HERE , and you will jump to the right place to post your review.

Though this book concludes the Shadow Lake Survival series, you'll be happy to hear that there will be an exciting new series releasing in early 2025. Read on for details.

LOST LAKE LOCATORS SERIES

When people vanish without a trace and those who go looking for them must put their lives on the line to bring them home alive.

LOST LAKE LOCATORS SERIES

Meet the Lost Lake Locators. Friends for years. Since college. Through police academy training and then through honorably serving in various law enforcement agencies.

Now a six member private investigator team living in the secluded Oregon town of Lost Lake and dedicated to finding lost people and items, usually after law enforcement or other private investigators have failed.

No matter. The Lost Lake Locators possess the skills to locate and defend the defenseless when others have failed.

Join the four men and two women of the Lost Lake Locators as they delve into mysterious disappearances to bring loved ones home. Even if it means risking their own life.

Book 1 – Lost Hours - March 3, 2025

Book 2 – Lost Truth - July 7, 2025

Book 3 – Lost Cause – November 3, 2025

Book 4 – Lost Lake - March 2, 2026

Book 5 – Lost Girls - July 6, 2026

Book 6 – Lost Light – November 2, 2026

For More Details Visit -

https:// www. susansleeman. com/ lost- lake- locators/

LOST HOURS - BOOK 1

Protecting his friends has always come first…

When Nolan Orr, founding member of Lost Lake Locators, and his teammates receive a mysterious invitation to a secluded mansion on Lost Island for what seems to be an innocent game night with his closest college friends, he eagerly agrees to attend. Not only to enjoy the event with friends who were more like family to him than his actual family, but to figure out which friend set up the fun but unusual night.

Until he has to consider one of them a suspect for murder.

However, as the evening progresses, he soon realizes that they are pawns in a deadly game orchestrated by a twisted mastermind. Where betrayal and survival go hand in hand, ultimately leading to a missing friend–to murder and a murder investigation that county detective Molly Park arrives to take charge of. Problem is, Nolan and Molly had a brief summer fling one year on his visit to the island, and it ended badly. Will she let him into the investigation and work with him, or avoid him as she's been doing for years?

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