Southern Sass (Southern Desires Series Book 6)

by Jeannette Winters

  Donna looked as though she was going to follow the guys upstairs. Maybe I should add naïve to the list. They were good guys, but men nonetheless. Grabbing hold of Donna’s hand, she said, “Those guys know where to take the stuff, why don’t we sit down and talk about the baby shower?”

  Donna nodded, and they headed to a table away from everyone else. “What can I do to help?”

  “How’s your cooking?”

  Donna wrinkled her nose. “Are we having sandwiches?”

  “Not on your life. I have a reputation, you know. Okay, I’ll handle that. How about decorations?”

  “Simple. What’s the theme?”

  Sissie hadn’t really decided on anything yet. So many ideas had come to mind, but nothing jumped out at her. “I’ll leave that up to you. Just remember, it’s a girl.”

  “Got it. Is it still on for tomorrow afternoon?”

  Tomorrow? It’s that close already? Darn it! “No pressure, right? You still think you can pull this off?”

  “How hard can it be putting up decorations?”

  “I like your attitude. It’s shopping for supplies that’s going to take time.”

  “Did you want to come with me? This is my first time here and I have no idea where to start looking for anything.”

  “I have more than I can manage as it is.” Sissie knew Donna could manage alone, that wasn’t the problem. She was supposed to be keeping an eye on her at all times. “Why don’t you take Lou with you? He’s great at carrying things. Besides, he hasn’t done anything but stand behind that bar since he’s gotten into town. Getting out of here might do him some good.”

  She knew Mark wouldn’t be pleased with her reassigning his team, but then again, if anything happened to Donna, Sissie wouldn’t ever forgive herself. And neither would Ryan. Besides, Lou was just standing around. Trouble wasn’t going to walk into the Sass. As far as she was concerned, Mark wasted manpower by having Lou there in the first place.

  “Are you sure? Lou doesn’t look like the shopping type.”

  Sissie called out to him, “Lou, honey, can you please come here for a sec?” He came from behind the bar and approached their table. Lou needed to learn how to relax. He was as stiff as they come. “I was just telling Donna how you like to shop. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind getting out of there and taking her around town for me now, would you?”

  Lou looked a Donna, tipped his tan cowboy hat and said, “Howdy, ma’am.” Then he turned back to Sissie and said, “It’s my shift to bartend. Maybe another time.”

  Sissie almost fell out of her chair. Lou’s Texan accent was worse than Donna’s, if that was possible. “Since I’m the boss, guess it’s up to me to clear your schedule. You two go, and I’ll tend bar.”

  Lou didn’t seem thrilled with the change of plans, but she hadn’t left him much choice. He turned back to Donna and said, “I’d be honored to.”

  “Perfect. You two be safe now, ya hear?”

  Lou gave her a nod, which meant he understood his role as her bodyguard. As they headed out, Sissie was shocked to see Donna smiling as she hooked an arm with Lou’s. It was the first lighthearted playful thing she’d seen Donna take on herself. Even though Lou’s expression hadn’t changed one bit, she knew Donna was actually looking forward to the outing. Sissie breathed a sigh of relief. She picked up her phone and texted Ryan.

  DONNA HAD A GOOD DAY SHOPPING. ALL IS GOOD. NO NEED TO COME.

  WHERE IS SHE NOW? Ryan asked.

  Darn. SAFE. HAPPY.

  There was a long pause before she received a response from Ryan. The one she didn’t want to see.

  I’LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

  Sissie was frustrated with him. Even when she did things his way Ryan wasn’t backing down.

  TOMORROW IS NOT GOOD. IT’S THE BABY SHOWER.

  There was no further text. Sissie would like to think Ryan had thought twice about it and saw her point. The chance of that was slim.

  Well, we better make the most of tonight!

  Ryan might win the battle, but Sissie had every intention of winning the war. She was going to bring his wallflower daughter out of her shell. Or at least crack the shell open a bit.

  Sissie really wasn’t worried about the cooking. Her part was easy. She was providing her ribs and chili, what she was known for. All she needed to do was make the cake. She could do that with her eyes closed. The women from town never showed up empty-handed, so there would be more food than any of them could eat.

  That left her with hardly anything to do today except get together a little shindig at the Sass tonight. She’d perfected the art of gathering people together on short notice a long time ago. All she needed to do was call a few key people, give the time and place, and they’d spread the word like wildfire. Picking up her cell, she made the calls. Within minutes, she knew it was already the buzz around town. All she had to do was sit back and wait for the guests to arrive.

  With Lou gone Sissie needed to tend bar for a while. It felt good to be at the helm again. The mood in the bar was light, but that changed the instant the sheriff stormed in.

  Jack looked mad as a hornet, and somehow she knew it had to do with her. It usually does. “You look like you could use a cold one.”

  Leaning over the bar and keeping his voice low, Jack said, “What the hell is it I’m hearin’? You’re throwing a party tonight?”

  Pulling herself up high and confident she said, “You know you’re invited if that’s what’s got your panties in a wad.”

  “Did you pass this by Collins first?”

  Sissie put her hands on her hips and peered at him. “I don’t recall having to ask permission to have a party. I do own the Wild Sass the last time I checked.”

  “You know damn well that’s not the problem.”

  “Then tell me, Jack. Because all I know is I’m stuck with a guy working the bar who has the personality of a rock. No one wants to give me any details, but they sure as heck are ready to tell me what I can and can’t do. You’ve known me long enough. That don’t fly with me.”

  Jack took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. He looked around the room then back at Sissie. “You’d need to talk to Collins.”

  “I don’t see him here, so why don’t you tell me?”

  Jack finally took a seat on the barstool. “Damn it, Sissie. Why do you have to be so darn difficult?”

  “I hope you’re not expecting an answer.”

  “Honeywell isn’t the same place it was a few months ago. I’ve seen people coming and going that I’ve never seen before.”

  Strangers weren’t something they got much of. If someone new came by it was a relative or friend of someone who lived in Honeywell. Everyone knew everyone. That’s what made the place so special. “I haven’t seen anyone except for the guys Mark’s got in place.”

  “It’s my job, Sissie, to notice things. Besides, you spend most of the time in here workin’. Who goes into a town and doesn’t stop at the local bar?”

  Good point. “Have you told Mark this?”

  Jack nodded.

  “And?”

  “He’d flip his lid if he knew what you were up to. What the heck made you throw a party now anyway?”

  “Donna Watson.”

  Jack raised a brow. “Ryan Watson’s daughter?”

  “The one and only. I’m going to help her meet people.”

  Jack shook his head. “Oh, hell. I’m not sure who I should worry about more. The terrorist sneakin’ around or Ryan Watson if you piss him off.”

  Sissie dropped the glass she was holding, and it crashed onto the floor. Even the sound of the breaking glass didn’t startle her as much as Jack’s last statement. “They’re really here?”

  “Nothing concrete, but very suspicious activity. You need to cancel this.”

  Her heart was pounding. Not for fear for herself, but for all of Honeywell. “Jack, what’s happenin’ to our town?”

  The look in his eyes matched hers. “The same thing that’s
happenin’ all over the country.”

  “Is Mark callin’ off the baby shower tomorrow?” Sissie knew that was a higher risk than her party tonight. All the Collins women would be in one place.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. The issue is doin’ so without tellin’ them what’s going on.”

  That stirred up anger deep within her. “You guys have no idea how strong and valuable we are. You sit back and think we’re all so fragile. Let me tell you, my cousin Hannah sure can handle more than Mark gives her credit for. I’m sure Casey and the others can as well.”

  “It’s for your own safety,” Jack stated plainly.

  Hogwash. “We’d be safer if we knew what to watch out for.”

  “Exactly, Sissie. This is not some cowboy movie where the good guy wears the white hat or the badge. They play by a set of rules only the sick-minded can relate to. Even I have a hard time comprehendin’ just how evil they are.”

  For the first time in her life, Sissie didn’t feel secure in her saloon. She looked around and knew that everyone there was friendly. What scared the crap out of her was who was sneaking around the corner waiting to pounce. Jack was right, having the party tonight was dangerous. It was a mistake. But how do I stop it?

  “Jack, what do I do? Obviously, the gossip gazette has already started sharin’ the word, or you wouldn’t be here.”

  “Call them back and tell them you broke a pipe or somethin’. You’re very resourceful, Sissie. I’m sure you’ll think of somethin’.”

  “If the pipe is broken today, they might think the shower is off tomorrow.”

  “Damn, Sissie, this ain’t good.” She had to agree with him. Picking up her phone she began to dial. “Who ya callin’?”

  “Mark.”

  Jack sat and waited. When Mark answered, she explained what she’d done.

  “Why the hell didn’t Lou tell me about this?”

  “Oh. He’s not here. I sent him out with Donna to do some shoppin’ for the baby shower.”

  Sissie could hear the anger in Mark’s voice. “That is not why he was placed there. I can’t have my family showing up at the saloon without it being watched.”

  “I’m watchin’ it.”

  “Sissie would you be able to spot an IED?”

  Once again her heart raced. The thought that a bomb could be in the Wild Sass seemed far-fetched a year ago. Now, not so much. She prided herself on knowing more than most gave her credit for. This wasn’t something that’d crossed her mind. Oh, God. I’m riskin’ people’s lives.

  She was also pissed at Mark. If he’d been honest with her when he assigned Lou, she never would’ve sent him out. I probably never would’ve opened my doors. I sure as heck wouldn’t have brought Donna here.

  It was the first time she was glad that Ryan was coming tomorrow. He needed to get Donna out of here. The fewer people she needed to worry about the better. “What am I going to do?”

  “We can’t cancel it now, but it is going to be much harder to secure. I’ll have more men brought in. From now on, Sissie, don’t do anything without passing it by me first. Understood?”

  Great. Another person controlling my actions. She normally would’ve set him straight, but this was much bigger than her. Her friends were at risk too. Sissie was tempted to call Donna back, but she was with Lou. There really wasn’t any safer place for her to be. For now all she could do was ride this out and pray for the best. “Understood.”

  “Sissie Entwistle, you can drive a man to drink,” Jack stated after she ended the call.

  Forcing a smile, she said, “Good thing I own a bar.”

  Chapter Three

  “Collins, what the fuck is going on? First, you don’t want me there, and now you want me there with my security team. What changed?” Ryan demanded.

  “We found JT had a son. One who’s not too happy with his father’s death or his mother’s imprisonment,” Mark said.

  “How the hell didn’t you know that before?”

  “Because he wasn’t in this country. We were monitoring communication and stumbled across it.”

  Wasn’t. Shit. “Is he looking for revenge?”

  “Or to take over where his parents left off. We’ve confirmed he’s assumed the role of leader among the scumbags. Their forces aren’t as strong as they were a year ago, but they shouldn’t be ignored either.”

  “So they’re a viable threat?” Ryan asked, but he already knew the answer. He just needed to hear it spoken out loud.

  “Yes.”

  “And you think they’re in Honeywell?”

  “I know they’re close. Hovering around, waiting.”

  “Why aren’t you grabbing them then? What’re you waiting for?”

  “These are scouts.”

  Son of a bitch. “This is a trap! You want them to come to Honeywell. My daughter’s there, damn it.”

  “My entire family is.”

  Ryan might not like what he was hearing, but he knew Mark wouldn’t risk his wife and family for anything.

  “What can I do to help?”

  “There’s a party tonight at the Wild Sass. I need you there. Do you think your security team can dress casual and fit in?”

  “They’ll do whatever I tell them to.”

  “Ask for Lou. He’s tending bar. He’ll be your inside contact. My guys will handle securing the perimeter.”

  “You’d better not be wrong about this, Collins.”

  “Roger that.”

  Once he was off the phone with Mark, he called an emergency meeting with his security team. He trusted his men with his life. It wasn’t the first time they had to cover his ass. In Ryan’s line of work, one makes enemies. This situation was different. They weren’t out to protect him, but the people of Honeywell. They needed to understand what they might be walking into. Mark’s team was trained to deal with terrorists. That’s not a skill he ever thought his guys would require. I’m going to have to give them a raise after this.

  Immediately after the meeting, he had his team gather what weapons they might need, and they boarded the jet. Ryan wanted to reach out and hear Donna’s voice. He’d tried her earlier, and it went to voicemail. Any other time Ryan would chalk that up to her blowing him off because he was overstepping the boundaries again. With what he’d just learned from Collins, he wasn’t going to take anything for granted.

  His team studied the material Collins had provided for the entire flight. Jack had provided a copy of all the locals who held a driver’s license and some sort of description for everyone else. It was the best way for them to determine friend or foe. He’d also sent a few photos of people they had flagged as suspicious. Collins team seemed prepared and thankfully they were trying to do the same for Watson’s. They knew the risk, and yet they were willing to step into the fire. He’d respected them before, but nothing compared to now.

  It was almost dark when the jet landed. As Collins had promised, there were vehicles with keys in the ignitions waiting for them. Ryan knew they had to make it to the Sass before the sun totally set. The plan was in motion, and Collins’s team needed to be free to secure the perimeter, otherwise all could be lost. He’d also been told that Collins and Jack had men stationed on the rooftops on the surrounding streets. It eased his mind knowing snippers were watching the Wild Sass and his baby girl.

  Ryan didn’t normally drive himself, but today he wanted some control. Hoping in the driver’s seat of one of the Jeeps, he called two of his men to join him.

  “Sir, I can drive.”

  “So can I. Get in,” Ryan barked. He wasn’t going to be at ease until he laid eyes on his daughter, and she was safe.

  They needed to spread out before arriving in town. The entire point was for the people of Honeywell not to panic when they saw them enter. Ryan and his guys went first. There was no delay, and he headed directly for the saloon.

  As soon as they pulled up, he heard the music blaring from inside. Collins wasn’t lying. At a fucking time like this, they’re having a
party. He knew having Sissie watch Donna was a mistake. He would be surprised if Donna hadn’t left and wasn’t alone at the library. She doesn’t enjoy stuff like this. She’s quiet. Reserved.

  When he entered the front of the building, Ryan scanned the room. It was packed; there was barely space to move. He could see a live band playing across the room that seemed to have most people’s attention. He couldn’t see Donna anywhere.

  Ryan headed to the bar where Collins said to make the connection with Lou. Although he was trying to fit in, the guy didn’t look as though he was enjoying himself at all. We probably have the same “oh shit” look.

  “Collins sent me.”

  Lou nodded but didn’t take his eyes off the crowd. He poured drinks but wasn’t missing a thing out there. He really had things under control. The only thing was Lou stood out like a sore thumb. At least to him anyway.

  In a low voice, Ryan said, “The two guys by the door are with me. More will be outside monitoring things.” That wasn’t as easy as watching for someone packing a gun. It was legal to carry in Texas. Since Lou had been working for Sissie a few weeks, he was going to have to rely on him to know who was friend or foe. At least before shit goes down.

  “All secure on the border. No issue. Tonight might be a quiet night,” Lou said as he poured whiskeys and put them on the tray for the waitress who was approaching.

  I sure as hell hope so. Looking toward the band again, Ryan knew quiet wasn’t the right term. Since there wasn’t an immediate threat, he needed to find Donna. Making his way through the crowd, he bumped into a waitress he’d met the last time he was there.

  “Don’t know if you remember me, I’m—”

  “Mr. Watson. Everyone knows who you are. Can I get you a drink?”