Southern Delight (Southern Desires Series Book 3)

by Jeannette Winters

  Bailey woke alone in the bed. When she rolled over, the sheets were still warm from where Don had been. She ran her hands over them and pulled the top sheet up to her face. Don’s cologne still lingered. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought it had all been a dream. The only thing I would change is he’d still be here now.

  Lying in bed all morning wasn’t an option. Mark and Hannah were going to be taking off for their honeymoon, and she needed to get up to at least see them off. She threw the covers off, slipped on her robe, and made her way down the hall to the bathroom to brush her teeth and shower. There was no time at all for enjoying the feel of the hot water pounding on her back.

  As she stood in front of the mirror drying herself she stopped and stared at her reflection. Somehow it had changed. How could that be? Yesterday as she prepared for the wedding all she saw was her peach-fuzz hair and the scar across her chest. Today she saw her dark green eyes and the smile on her face.

  Is this what one night in his arms can do to me? If so I think I should spend the rest of my life in them.

  Bailey needed to look past her eyes and lips. So she leaned closer to the mirror and really looked at her head. Don had said it was perfectly shaped without any puckers or dents. She’d never given it any thought. All she’d seen was the lack of thick brown hair. I’m so tired of that blonde wig. I can’t wait till my own hair, whatever it looks like, grows back.

  Then she stood and looked at the one thing she’d avoided for the past six months. Standing straight up she saw her left breast full and perky, then the absence of her right one. The scar was still red and pronounced, but it didn’t disgust her as it had. For whatever reason, it no longer defined who she was. What had Don said? “I see a beautiful, courageous woman sitting on my lap, who’s been braver through this ordeal than most men I have known.” Is that really what she was now? Brave? I can try. I will try. Scars and all, I’m Bailey Tasca, not Bailey the breast cancer survivor.

  She took her fingers and traced it. All she could remember was how gentle and loving Don had been last night. He kissed every inch of her scar as though the simple gesture could heal her wound. Surprisingly it had. Not in the physical sense, but emotionally. So many of her fears and insecurities had faded, if not completely gone.

  Bailey felt the tear roll down her face. Not a tear of fear but a tear of courage, bravery. She’d conquered a major obstacle.

  Wiping her face, she put her robe back on and headed for her bedroom. She dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She picked up her prosthetic and was about to insert it when she looked down at it. No. Today is a new day. A new me. If Hannah can be an advocate for other women, then so can I. It’s time to be who I know I am.

  She tossed the gel prosthetic on the bureau and pulled off her wig. Bailey walked over to a vase that held some wild flowers she had picked a few days before. Picking up what looked like a wild daisy, she trimmed the stem a bit and then tucked the flower behind her right ear. Without any hair, it jumped right out, but it sure as hell made a statement. Look at me. I’m Bailey, bald and beautiful!

  Smiling, she left her room and headed off to join the others in the kitchen. When she entered everyone seemed to be looking at her even though they didn’t stop their conversations. Two days ago she would’ve come up with an excuse to run and hide. Not this time. Instead she waved to them and said, “Someone better have saved me some biscuits and gravy or there is going to be hell to pay.”

  “You bet I did. Now you come on over here and sit by me.” Sissie patted the seat next to her.

  Don shook his head. “Not today, Sissie.” He turned to Kevin and said, “Move down a seat.”

  Kevin looked at both of them and then got up and gave Bailey her spot next to Don. Everyone watched as she went to sit near Don. Sissie was grinning as though she could barely contain her excitement. How I hoped she wasn’t thinking she’d called this one too. You just got lucky, that’s all. Don and I are not together, we’re just enjoying some time as . . . well, I don’t know as what, but whatever it is, I’m enjoying it.

  “I guess we don’t have to worry about what you’ll be doing while we’re gone,” Hannah teased.

  Bailey shot her a warning look but Hannah ignored it totally.

  “Kevin, looks like we’re going to have to get you another girl,” Mark added.

  Sissie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I’ll be happy to help. I have a great track record for this type of thing. If you would like some references, all you need to do is look around the room.” She winked at Bailey and Don.

  Bailey saw Don arch his brow. “Am I missing something here?”

  Bailey, Casey, and Hannah all said in unison, “No,” then the women burst out laughing.

  “I think we men are in trouble,” Mark said.

  “Yeah. Looks like it, and from what I see, you don’t have a fighting chance,” Evelyn said.

  Greg had to chime in too. “I don’t know why you ladies are taking the credit. I was the one who gave Don the advice last night. If it wasn’t for me then—”

  “Okay, everyone. I think we get the picture.” Turning back to Hannah, Bailey asked, “So what time are you two taking off?”

  Hannah put her head on Mark’s shoulder and said, “We hate to leave you all, but we have to leave now.”

  Everyone got up and started hugging them goodbye. Bailey thought it was funny because they were only going to go away for a few days, not a month. What she wasn’t expecting was people were hugging Don as well.

  “Are you leaving so soon? I thought we’d have more . . . time,” Bailey asked softly.

  He looked down at her. “I meant to tell you last night but we got . . . distracted. I have a job I need to attend to. Just promise me you’ll stay here and wait for me to return.”

  Leaving? Just like that? I finally get you back in my arms—in my life—and now you abandon me? Bailey refused to let her hurt and pain show. So she put on her brave face and replied, “If I can’t find anything else to do, you’ll know where to find me.”

  As they all went onto the porch to wave the happy couple goodbye, Bailey could only stand there and watch the one man who made her happy drive off with Hannah and Mark. It was hard enough knowing she was alone, but at that moment she also felt empty.

  She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but she knew there was no way she was going to sit and wait for a man to come back into her life.

  Bailey turned to Kevin and asked, “Are you up to a road trip?”

  “Me and you?”

  “Just us.”

  Kevin shrugged his shoulder. “Why the hell not? Count me in.”

  “Thanks, Kevin. If you don’t mind, I have some packing to get done first. I’ll be ready in an hour.”

  Bailey made her way back to her room. As she packed all she could tell herself was Don needed space. I have to have faith in him. He never would’ve made love to me like that and then leave. He’ll be back. When, I don’t know, but he said he’ll return, and I promised to trust him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The ride from the airport to The Mountain had given Don a lot of time to think about Bailey. He hated leaving her, especially after she’d opened up to him last night. His intentions had been to talk, but once they started kissing, touching, it was all over. His body reacted at a memory of her now.

  Don had known Bailey needed him. Timing was everything. If he would’ve tried reaching out to her before, she might not have been ready. The walls she had up around her hadn’t been built in a day, and he wasn’t foolish enough to believe they had been totally removed yet either. However, the woman he saw walk into the kitchen was confident. Maybe slightly embarrassed by any noise we may have made, but overall, standing tall and confident. It was beautiful to see. She was beautiful to see.

  He knew he should be focusing on what he needed to do next, but right now he didn’t want to let go of the vision of her face. Her green eyes darkened each time he was near her, and her lips seemed to always be be
gging to be kissed. Yet her beauty was nothing compared to her spirit. She was ten years his junior, but in some ways she had the strength of someone so much older and wiser. He was grateful she did because that was probably what she drew from during her cancer treatments.

  Hannah and Mark had been there for her the entire time, but Don knew that was only an external support system. I know how brave and strong she is. That’s why I know she can do this, even with me gone. If I’d told her what I was about to do, she would have tried to stop me. And if she knows anything, then they’ll try to make her talk, and I don’t want to think how they’d go about it.

  Mark had made it very clear to the extent they’d go to get what they wanted. Someone like Bailey, Hannah, or even Casey would be easy prey for them. If protecting her meant losing the only woman he’d ever loved, then so be it. As long as she was safe and healthy, it was all worth it.

  The hairs on his arms stood up as he came around the last bend in the road. He was going to be in full view of their security cameras from that point on. It was time to stop daydreaming and think about what was at stake. My life.

  When he approached the gate, he knew things had changed. It wasn’t only the uniforms Don didn’t recognize, but the men were strangers as well. Every time he’d come to The Mountain before, there were always a select few at the gate, and always the same faces. Johnson was right. I’ve never seen these men before. He stopped by the gate and held his facility ID out the window for the guard to inspect.

  “I need to see your work orders,” the guard said.

  “I’ve never needed to show my work orders before,” Don argued. “Look, kid, you’re new. I’ve been here once a week since construction began. I’m the one who takes photos of your progress for insurance purposes. I’m on your list.”

  The guard didn’t waver, and he didn’t even attempt to check the list. He stood there with his weapon slung in front of him, ready and probably anxious to use it.

  “Sir, my orders are strict. I need to see your work orders.”

  Don grabbed his cell. I haven’t come this far to be turned away. Let’s see if my impression of Mark got any better. “All right, let me call your insurance company. But I’m telling you right now, they’ll pull your building permits and have this construction shut down until I get back from my vacation. That’s out of my control. If they don’t receive my updated report by the end of the day today, this place will be shut down till I get back in the States. Which is about six months from now.” Don pretended as though he was about to put the truck in reverse when he added, “Your bosses will understand, I’m sure.”

  A young woman in an identical uniform ran down the road from the other side of the gate.

  “Let him in!” she shouted at the guard.

  The guard did as she ordered with a mortified expression. Don grinned smugly at him as he rolled by. He parked his truck by the door and grabbed his camera bag. The woman finally caught up with him. She looks vaguely familiar. I don’t think I’ve slept with her. So where do I know her from?

  “Mr. Farrell, I apologize for the guard,” she said.

  “You’re General Floyd’s aide, uh . . . Mary, Marsha . . .”

  “Master Sergeant Margaret Graham,” she said.

  “Maggie! I was so close. I know what threw me, you’re not in uniform. Neither are the other Marines. Care to share why?” Don asked with a smile, trying to keep the question casual rather than probing. He used to be very good at sweet talking the ladies. Either he’d lost his charm or Maggie was as stressed as she looked.

  “Not really,” she said stone-faced.

  “Ouch. Maybe one of the other men will be more forthcoming with an answer.”

  That got a quick reaction. She turned to him and said sharply, “Listen here, Mr. Farrell, you’re in a government facility. You’re hired to do a job, not to ask questions. If you’re not the right person to finish the job, let me know. We’ll have someone brought in who can.”

  So she doesn’t want me talking to them. Because of what I’ll learn or what I’ll say? He wasn’t able to read which it was. But nothing felt right. Not her and not them. All he could do right now was play along with the game. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t need to worry who were the good guys, because it would quickly become evident. “That sounds like you’re in charge.”

  “I’m here overseeing the transition. For all intents and purposes, my word is law until the higher-ups sign the final paperwork,” she said.

  “Transition?” Don asked. “What’s that about?”

  She shook her head. “No more questions, Mr. Farrell.”

  That was more information than he thought she’d share. One thing he knew for sure, Maggie was not in charge. She was someone’s puppet just like the guards at the gate. He was here for one purpose today, to try to figure out what the hell General Floyd was trying to tell him right before his death.

  “Then let’s get down to business,” he said. “I have some concerns I need to see the progress on, so I hope you don’t mind following me around.”

  She glared at him questioningly. After a moment she said, “Very well, I don’t want anything to hold up progress.”

  “Eager to get out of here, I take it? The new overlords not as kind as the old ones?” he joked.

  “You have no idea,” she muttered under her breath.

  I might have a knack for this. Don entered the building with Maggie in tow. She slid her credentials at each checkpoint. What she said was true, everyone gave them the right of way and made scarce when he needed to take a picture. He went floor by floor, wondering why it felt like the job was going so much quicker with Maggie than it had with General Floyd.

  The General had me zigzagging all across The Mountain. Either he was out to waste our time or there was a reason why he had me take the photos he did. Don cycled through his SD card, a copy of the original. The original photos weren’t important, no room numbers or furniture to be found. He checked the new photos and realized something. Maybe it isn’t just what is in the photo, but the order they were taken in. I could try to rearrange the photos I just took, but what if I’m off by just a little? I’m taking no chances.

  “I need more angles,” he said. “Hope you wore good shoes, you’re going to get your steps in today.”

  “Take as long as you want, as long as you get what is needed and then get out,” she said.

  They returned to the elevator and got off on the seventh sub-basement. When the doors closed, he turned to take a photo, like the one the general had him take. The doors sported an F clearly, so he took the photo. Beside the elevator was a new filing cabinet, still in the packaging it was shipped in.

  He got back on the elevator and went three floors up. They walked down the hall and entered an examination room. He took a photo of an old scale in the corner, another photo General Floyd had him take. It wasn’t something a person would use in this day and age. It measured in pounds only and offered no metric alternative. Strange, but on the list.

  He led Maggie down two flights of stairs and took a picture of floor number six. General Floyd, was brilliant. He had me take a picture of a blank wall, knowing at some point there’d be a number there when I came back. How did he know that when I came back I’d be searching? Was that why he texted Mark? Was he letting Mark know he was on the right trail, that The Mountain would hold clues if anything happened to him? He took one hell of a gamble that I’d come back here after his death. Now I just have to figure out what we both risked our lives for. I know whatever it is, Floyd, it’s huge.

  Don walked to the elevator and went up to the second floor. He headed to the next blank wall and snapped a photo. A watercolor painting with attribution below it sat in the previously empty space. Is it the painter’s name you wanted me to see, or something else? As he made his way to the next destination, his mind searched the photos over and over again. His birth year, 1925. That might make more sense.

  When Don and Maggie left the second floor they headed
back down to sub-basement F. He was waiting for Maggie to make a comment on how scattered or unprepared he was by not taking the most direct path. Out of the corner of his eye, he could tell she was deep in thought. Oh, I bet you have a lot to think about. You should be worried. We’re on to what’s going on here. It’s only a matter of time before Mark’s team comes in here and shuts it down.

  They arrived at the decontamination showers. There was a huge sign on the wall, and Don knew the message the general wished to pass on to him was more concise. So he looked back to the photo he took with the general and made sure to get the same angle. The only part of the sign not obscured by the newly installed hardware was a dash. How the hell did he know I’d be back in time to see this? He was banking that someone wouldn’t think there was a problem and fix it. God, I hope I’m taking the right photo because I don’t think Maggie here is going to let me take this tour again.

  There was only one more stop he needed to make, and that was one he couldn’t reach by elevator. They had to walk down the hall on the seventh floor and actually take stairs down one flight. They were getting closer to the security breach he was concerned about, and he was eager to see the progress made on fixing it. They came to a locked door with a small window that hadn’t been installed when he made the rounds with General Floyd. He gestured for Maggie to use her credentials.

  “You can’t go beyond this point,” Maggie said. “You don’t have the clearance.”

  “I had the clearance when Floyd was with me.”

  She sighed. “Let me be clearer then. I don’t have the clearance. General Floyd did.”

  “Why do you need clearance for your building?” Don pulled out his ID card and swiped it as he had in the past. It should have opened for him, but it didn’t. What the hell is going on here?