Southern Sass (Southern Desires Series Book 6)

by Jeannette Winters

  I’m sure it’s hard no matter what.

  “We’d all become so busy with our own lives we hardly saw each other anymore. When I was a child, we ate dinner together every night. Then my mom became so obsessed with finding a cure for Alzheimer’s that we started having take-out. Before I knew it, Dad also was working at night, and I was on my own.”

  It broke Sissie’s heart. Donna was still hurting, and she didn’t think Ryan had a clue about it. He was so focused on protecting her well-being he was missing the mark on her emotions.

  Sissie knew what it was like to lose someone. Her parents had been killed when their single engine crop duster crashed. She’d thought her world had come to an end. But she was lucky the people from Honeywell rallied around her. They made sure she knew she was loved and never felt alone. She’d just graduated from college, and if it wasn’t for the kindness of others, she knew she wouldn’t be the woman she was today. This was her chance to pay it forward.

  She reached her hand out and covered Donna’s. “I’m really sorry. Sometimes people get lost along the way, and we forgot there are still those around us who need us. Even in the best of families, things go wrong sometimes.”

  “Thanks, Sissie. Don’t get me wrong. My childhood wasn’t horrible. It was different, that’s all. It taught me how to be strong and independent. Like you.”

  Oh, yeah. It’s like we’re twins. Donna was everything Sissie wasn’t. Serious and smart. Sissie did know one thing they had in common. No one knows the real us. “Guess that’s why we get along so well.”

  “It’s funny, my dad thinks I’m so much like my mother. He’s wrong you know. I’m more like him than he’d ever admit.”

  “I’m sure you’re a blend of both. You definitely don’t look like your father.”

  “Oh, goodness no. But it’s funny. I don’t look like my mother either.”

  “Family resemblance is overrated. Did you know that Hannah and I are cousins?”

  “Casey’s sister-in-law?”

  “The one and only. My uncle was her father. And none of us look alike either. We women are very thankful for that too. Although Hannah is stunning.”

  “And so are you, Sissie. I know my dad thinks so too.” Donna gave her a wink.

  Oh no. Not again. Thankfully the door opened and the guests started arriving. Sissie turned to Lou who gave her a nod, confirming he was monitoring everything. That left her to do what everyone expected her to do. Host a party.

  It wasn’t long before the room was overflowing with women and more food than any of them could eat. She knew she was supposed to be on high alert, yet being surrounded by all of them for such a joyous celebration was something she’d looked forward to. It was just a little more than a year ago when this town was in shambles. Not only from the tornado, but the town spirit was rocky as well. Casey came to town and brought more than the financial support they needed. She brought her charm and somehow was able to calm the raging giant. Derrick Nash.

  She looked at the clock and knew the guest of honor was going to arrive any minute. “Okay ladies. We have to quiet down. Casey should be walking in any minute.”

  Everyone was chatting up a storm and no one listened. She was about to say it again when she heard a loud whistle. Turning around, she saw Donna standing on a chair. “Take your seats. She’s arrived.”

  Everyone grabbed a chair, and the room got so quiet you could hear a pin drop. You go, girl.

  Within seconds the front door opened and Casey walked in. The room erupted in cheers. From what Sissie could tell, she really was surprised. Derrick, on the other hand, wasn’t. He was pushing a wheelchair. She knew Evelyn, Casey’s mother, was going to attend but thought this was a women-only party. Yet, she understood the exception. Greg was quickly losing the battle against ALS. It was time for him to enjoy every moment he could with his children. It’s a shame his sons, Mark and Kevin, couldn’t be here too.

  Sissie knew Mark would be with Ryan doing whatever they were doing. Kevin seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. If anything had happened to him, she was sure someone would’ve told her. Or I hope so. The Collins family was like family to her. They’re all I really have.

  Derrick and Greg took seats off to the side where they could watch without intruding. Sissie didn’t miss the look in Derrick’s eyes. He wasn’t the man she remembered. The hard coldness was replaced with love and tenderness. She remembered the first time she’d seen Casey and Derrick together. Instantly she knew they were soulmates. All they needed was a little push. And look at the results. A family.

  She’d done the same for Hannah with Mark, and Bailey with Don, and so many more before any of them. Sissie caught a glimpse of Donna out of the corner of her eye. Now I just need to find your match. That wasn’t going to happen in this group. Good thing you’re going to be with me for a bit.

  How long that would be, she had no idea. It was all in Ryan’s hands. Why am I taking orders from him? The only thing she knew was when asked she was defenseless to say no. When did I get to be a pushover?

  What she wasn’t was someone who could sit through an hour of watching Casey open gifts. Each one was going to come with a story behind it. That’s the way the town did things. No one bought her a gift; they were all handmade. Another thing I love about Honeywell. It’s not about money. It’s about connection. Family. Love.

  Evelyn came and sat beside her. “You did a beautiful job, my dear. Thank you.”

  Sissie smiled at her. “I had some help.”

  She was only about ten years older than Sissie, yet her eyes seemed years more. She could only imagine what it was like for her. Each of her children had faced tremendous dangers and thankfully were still alive.

  “From what I hear, you’ve been a lot of help. My family owes you, Sissie. My husband’s speech is . . . hard to understand now, but he wanted me to thank you. We hope you understand. You’re family to us. Don’t ever feel as though you are an intrusion in any way.”

  “Your children mean a lot to me as well.” More than she could explain. Not just because her cousin married a Collins, but because of who they were. Each of them was strong and brave, but when you got them alone and saw deep inside of them, that was nothing compared to the love they had in their hearts.

  “I just wish Mark and Kevin could be here too.”

  “I’m sure they would be if they could.” Sissie knew they’d made hard choices based not on what they wanted but on what was best. Selfless sacrifices. Each one of those missions came with high risk. And now Ryan is out there with them. Please, Mark, keep him safe.

  “We all do what we need to, don’t we?”

  “Yes, we do, Evelyn.”

  “Mom!” Casey’s shout echoed throughout the room.

  Evelyn ran toward her daughter. “What is it?”

  Casey stood up and even from across the room Sissie could tell her water broke. Oh, really not part of the plan.

  “I think I better get back to the ranch. Now!” Casey said, her voice filled with panic. Derrick was by her side even before Evelyn could reach her.

  He picked her up in his arms and nodded toward Lou. Lou was already by the door with a radio in hand. Obviously, he was left in charge during Mark’s absence. Derrick carried Casey out of the Sass, and the rest of the family followed. Lou went out ahead of them.

  She could tell everyone was already thinking about heading out. Sissie knew it was up to her to continue with Mark’s instructions. I need to keep everyone else here. Keep them safe.

  “Oh no, you don’t. She might be havin’ a baby, but we’re havin’ cake. And there ain’t no way you’re leavin’ me with all this food.”

  The room filled with laughter as they all returned to their seats. Lou re-entered, giving her a nod that all was clear. That didn’t mean all was safe. We stay until Mark tells us otherwise.

  Ryan knew Collins was bringing in some woman who’d gotten Janet involved in all this mess. She might be coming to get samples, but she w
asn’t getting anything until he got some answers.

  It wasn’t something he’d mentioned earlier. Ryan knew Collins would slam him with excuses he didn’t want to hear. They were here, but it was on Ryan’s terms. Collins needed to learn that.

  The second chopper was touching down, and the rules were about to change. First off was a guy who looked like a younger version of Collins. He knew Mark’s brother was also in the military, so seeing him involved in all this didn’t surprise him at all. Yet, he approached walking hand-in-hand with a woman with long dark hair who didn’t look like any biochemist he’d ever seen on television. This might be more difficult than I thought.

  He was prepared to argue with Mark because it wasn’t personal. But if Kevin was involved with the woman, then the lines of separation weren’t as defined. Ryan wondered if that’s why Mark hadn’t been forthcoming about who else was coming. If he’d known, he’d have been better prepared. Was it because Mark didn’t want Ryan to know or was it because it was best he didn’t? Hard to tell with you, Collins.

  Mark reached his hand out and shook Kevin’s hand. “Sorry to pull you out of your little—”

  “You two can play catch up after I get into that lab.”

  Mark turned his attention to the woman and said, “Good point, Marina. This is Ryan Watson.”

  “Watson? Do I know you?” Marina asked.

  “You knew my wife, Janet.”

  He saw the expression on Marina’s face change. She sincerely appeared to be shocked. “Knew? Did something happen to her?”

  Ryan’s first question was just answered. Marina didn’t know the price Janet paid for meeting with her. “She died almost seven years ago.”

  “That’s not long after—”

  “Meeting with you. I know.”

  Kevin put an arm around Marina and said, “If this is too difficult, we don’t have to do it.”

  “You’re wrong Kev. No matter what, we need those samples,” Mark said firmly.

  Ryan could see the realization of whose samples they were retrieving had shaken Marina to the core.

  “Kevin, Mark’s right. I have to do this,” Marina said softly. Then she turned back to Ryan and asked, “How did she die?”

  He could see she needed to know, but he wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear the truth. “Guess that’s why she left the samples. So you can answer those questions for me.”

  Marina pulled away from Kevin and stood up straight as though preparing herself for what needed to be done. “If there’s anything to find, I promise you, I’ll find it. Now let’s get to the lab.”

  Ryan couldn’t ask for anything more than that. He could see Marina was a victim in some way as well. He wanted to know more, but asking in front of Kevin wasn’t going to get him what he wanted. Mark might be a bit more open if they were alone.

  They headed to the newly constructed cabin that held the doorway to the bunker deep below ground. He was glad it survived the attack a few months ago. Not only did it save Maggie and Wyatt’s life, but it protected the samples and notes Janet had left behind.

  He’d had a tight security system before where it required a fingerprint and eye scan to access, but it now also took a full-body scan before the elevator would take them to the lower levels. The more he learned, the more justified his paranoia felt. Even after all these years. From what he was hearing, he might still have to step it up.

  Ryan led them to the lab. It looked more like a sterile hospital room. A room Janet spent her last days in. Marina looked around but said nothing. When she approached the bed, Ryan could see her eyes glistening, and her hand trembled as she touched the bed.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. She was . . . only trying to help me. I never thought . . . never knew . . .” She sniffed, fighting back the tears. “This is not what I wanted.”

  He believed her. “She would’ve done anything to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.” Even give her life. Unfortunately for nothing.

  “I know that feeling. That’s how we met. But everything I tried to get my project back on track failed. And when I knew I couldn’t then I—”

  “Called her and cut off ties?” Ryan never forgot that night because Janet was never the same after that.

  “Yes. It was for her safety.”

  “Guess you were too late, because she’s dead.” Ryan hadn’t meant to sound so cold. The anger knowing that this was intentional meant someone had to pay. With Floyd dead, all that was left was Marina.

  Kevin stepped between him and Marina. “Watch yourself, Watson. She didn’t kill your wife. She wouldn’t hurt anyone. I, on the other hand, would.”

  Ryan didn’t like Kevin’s tone. “Is that a threat?”

  “It’s a promise. She’s a good person, and I won’t let her be browbeaten by you or anyone else.”

  “Please, Kevin, stop. You have to understand. He’s lost so much, and it’s because of me,” Marina said as she tugged on Kevin’s arm, trying to calm him down.

  Kevin turned toward her. “This is not your fault. Your father did this. Not you.”

  Father? “What do you mean her father?”

  Mark interjected. “General Floyd. And Marina was a victim just as so many others who suffered at his hands. She’d risked everything, even her life, to stop her father and those he was working with. Even now, coming out of hiding to come here, is putting her life at risk again. She’s not doing it for herself, and not for you or even Janet. She’s doing this for the world.”

  “Floyd did this? He had Janet killed?”

  Mark nodded. “Janet was one of many who paid that price. He can’t hurt anyone anymore, but the threat is still out there, and we need Marina and people like her to help us fight this battle, or we’re going to lose the war.”

  “You should’ve told me who she was, Collins,” Ryan growled.

  “This is who she is. Now you either show her where the samples are that Janet left for her or not. But if you want answers and want to help us put an end to this fucking madness, quit pointing fingers. There’s nothing any of us can do for what happened in the past. All we can do is take action to prevent more deaths in the future.”

  He was trying to give Janet a voice, yet he wasn’t doing what she would’ve wanted. Janet had done everything she could to preserve the medical documentation regarding what happened to her. That wasn’t for him or Donna. He knew wholeheartedly she left it in hopes that Marina would find it. She was fighting the battle long before I knew there was one to fight.

  Ryan walked over to a mirror and moved it aside. There was a key panel behind it. He pressed the six numbers he hadn’t used since he’d placed Janet’s journal inside many years ago. Once again a wall moved, and the high-tech full-functioning lab appeared. He stepped aside and said to Marina, “Everything you need is inside.”

  She reached out and touched his arm briefly as she walked in the room. Ryan didn’t follow. There was nothing left for him to do. He’d protected the samples all these years. Now it was all in Marina’s hands. Full circle.

  Ryan didn’t want to be in the bunker. Seeing Marina enter the lab was like a door closing to a part of his life that had been haunting him. He didn’t have the answers and knew they probably wouldn’t tell him the truth anyway. Secrets that started long before she died.

  He turned to Mark and said, “I don’t think you need me here.”

  “I know where you’re needed.”

  Honeywell. “You know how to find me.”

  “We’re counting on you, Watson,” Mark stated.

  He might not have been able to save Janet, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let anything happen to Donna. Or Sissie.

  Ryan had Mark accompany him to the mainframe security database. He added him as an authorized user. “This place is yours now. There’s no need for me to come back.”

  “We’ll put it to good use.”

  Ryan boarded the chopper again. As the cabin disappeared from view, he felt an emptiness inside. It wasn’t the same grief he�
�d felt when he lost Janet, because part of his grief then was mixed with anger. But now that he knew who had been responsible for Janet’s death, and that there was no possibility of retaliation, he felt somewhat hollow. Ineffective. He knew one day he’d have to tell Donna the truth about her mother. He knew that time was coming sooner rather than later.

  When he thought of Donna though, and now of Sissie, a small seed of possibility filled him. He wanted things to be different between him and his daughter. He didn’t believe in second chances, but he hoped to have a better relationship with Donna. He’d seen the look in Marina’s eyes. She despised her father, which was totally understandable. Ryan didn’t ever want Donna to feel that way about him. Perhaps it was time to let Donna in. He wasn’t even sure if he knew how to anymore. He’d closed himself from everyone for so long . . . even Donna.

  Yet something was changing within him. He wondered if it was because of a certain bar owner whose lips had tasted like sin and pleasure all wrapped in one soft package. She added complication and delight to his life. Going back to talk to Donna wasn’t the only thing he wanted to do. But seeing Sissie again meant having to continue with the lies. It wasn’t what he wanted, but what was needed. Someday the lies will have to end. But today isn’t that day.

  Chapter Six

  Although she’d been enjoying the company, Sissie had never been so relieved to see Jack enter the Sass and quietly let her know the party could end anytime. There was only one problem. The ladies-only party changed once Casey left. It was Sissie’s own fault for telling them they weren’t leaving till the food was gone. The only sure way to have that happen was to call the fellas.

  She had to admit it was good for business, but right now she wasn’t thinking about making money. Sissie needed to know that Ryan was okay.

  “Have you heard from . . . Mark?” Sissie asked softly as she cut him a piece of cake.

  Jack nodded. “If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have come.”

  She didn’t miss his sarcasm. Holding the frosting-covered knife and waving it at him, she shook her head. “Y’all know better than that, Jack.”