Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2)

by Jeannette Winters

  “Got it. Double-wide, double-deep with Jacuzzi jets. And if you’re lucky, Mark, you might even get a chance to try it with her,” Don said as he was leaving the room.

  Never going to happen. He couldn’t help but turn toward where the tub would be going. Although I can imagine how fucking amazing it’d be, to be in there with her.

  Mark slammed his hand against the wall and left the room. He didn’t allow himself to fantasize. Reality and the here and now was all that mattered. And now he needed to head back to the other apartment.

  While Don had been attempting to rescue Hannah’s bathroom yesterday, he’d been with a member of his team, who’d dropped off some surveillance equipment. He was most interested in the listening devices. He knew he could have his team monitoring it twenty-four/seven, but that would raise a red flag. The guy freaked when he went inside the first time. Bringing in anyone new might spook him. It wasn’t as though they were in a place where people just stopped by. They were as far off the beaten path as they could get. It was almost an hour drive to town. Brilliant if you wanted privacy, but not great if you’re trying to blend into the crowd. And let’s face it. The men in my team don’t blend into small-town USA.

  Mark knew he was going to need to update Don on what was going on. Unfortunately, it meant also giving him his spare weapon. If anything went down unexpectedly, he needed someone to watch over Hannah and Bailey while he dealt with the issue head-on. I hope that won’t be the case, but something is off. I don’t know what he’s doing upstairs, but I know he’s planning something. I can feel it. No one has a row of cell phones on one table and a few laptops on the next. I need to find out who he is before I make my move.

  His cell phone rang. Pulling it out of his pocket, he shook his head before answering. “Casey, what’s up?”

  “Hello to you too,” she teased.

  If you’re giving me a hard time, I know everything is okay. “I’m in the middle of something, can I call you back?”

  He hated blowing her off, but wedding plans were the last thing on his mind. I have all the information I need. She should call Mom if she wants to chat.

  “This will only take a minute. Since you didn’t reply to my text message yesterday, I figured I better call you.”

  He saw it, but that was right before he walked in on Hannah’s little meltdown. Getting back to her about when he was going to arrive for the wedding didn’t make his list of important items.

  “I know the time, Casey. You know I’ll be there if I can.”

  “Why can’t you come and stay a few days before the wedding? Kevin is going to be here, and so are Mom and Dad. I’d love us all to spend some time together.”

  It’d been a long time since they all hung out together. Maybe a holiday or two over the last twenty years. Their schedules usually collided. This time, he wasn’t deployed, but he also didn’t want to leave Hannah alone with the guy upstairs. If I’d been here when he looked at the apartment, he wouldn’t be a tenant. Just because you think you’re safe, Hannah, doesn’t mean you are. And nothing is going to happen to you on my watch. That I promise you.

  Mark was shocked at himself even for thinking the word promise, but something in his gut said it wasn’t a slip, he meant it.

  “I’ve got something I’m working on here, Casey. I can’t leave.”

  “I thought you were doing construction for Sissie’s cousin, Hannah. Is she that difficult that she won’t let you go for a few days? I mean you don’t need the job, Mark. If you can’t stand her, then leave now and come here.”

  Oh, I can stand her all right. Too damn much. That’s the problem. “She is not the issue. There are so many more repairs than we first thought.” Thanks to my little diversion tactic that worked like a charm, but with one casualty, her bathroom. Damn. I still can’t believe I did that shit. Don’s never going to let me live it down.

  “We? I thought you took these side jobs because you liked working alone. What’s really going on, Mark?” She tried sounding in control, but he heard the concern in her voice.

  I think she’s spent too much time around me; she’s picking up my interrogation skills. I don’t like it. But what she still lacks is the ability to lie. You need both to excel.

  “Don Farrell was between contracts and decided to come by and give me a hand.”

  “I haven’t seen him in years. Not since you stopped making him follow me to make sure I was behaving myself.” Casey laughed.

  He was still around, just got better at not being seen. Don’t worry, sis, I’ve always got your six.

  “So get here a few days early, do you hear me?”

  “I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise. We are in the middle of a major renovation, and I don’t want to leave her here without a working bathroom. Casey, Hannah’s had some tough times, and I’m not talking about needing work done here. I don’t want to add to them.” That was close enough to the truth to ease his conscience.

  “What do you mean by tough times?”

  “Her father died. She’s trying to deal with everything, but I’m sure you can imagine, it’s not easy.” He knew that was going to hit Casey hard. She was taking their father’s illness the hardest. She was Daddy’s little girl. It sounded as though Hannah was the same with her father.

  “I’m sure it’s not easy for them.”

  “She’s all alone, Casey. Her mother died when she was born.” Even telling Casey this information was tugging at his heart. Empathy was something he often faced in the field, but this was unlike anything he’s experienced. It felt personal.

  There was a long pause on the line before she said anything. “Oh, my God. I’ve got it. It’s perfect. I can’t wait to tell Sissie. This solves everything.” Casey’s voice was beyond excited, and it scared the shit out of Mark.

  What is she thinking? And what did I just get myself into? “Care to enlighten me?”

  Casey laughed. “Not at the moment. I’ll call you tomorrow. Have a great day, Mark.”

  She was too happy and plotting something. If he had the time to figure it out he would, but right now, he needed to help Don upstairs, or they’d never get this place done.

  Mark flipped the button to record and left the room. Tonight he could listen while everyone else slept, except him and the tenant, that is.

  Hannah and Bailey were out for a walk when her cell phone rang. Not many people called, and usually it was a collection agency regarding her father’s bills or her student loans. What part of “I’ll pay when I can” don’t they get?

  She would pay every cent she owed. It might not be on the schedule they wanted, but she didn’t like owing anyone anything. That’s why she wouldn’t accept charity. Because she was unable to return the favor. One day things will be different. I will not give up. My father never did and neither will I.

  Her phone dinged announcing she’d missed a call. They can leave a message that I can delete later.

  It rang again. They’re persistent today.

  “Aren’t you going to answer that?” Bailey stopped walking and looked at her sternly.

  What could she say, that she was avoiding taking the call? She pulled it out of her pocket and answered.

  “Well, I thought for sure you might be preoccupied with that sexy contractor since you weren’t answering my call.”

  Sissie.

  “Sorry, Sissie. I didn’t know it was you. How have you been?”

  “I’ll be much better when you get your pretty little butt over here to visit me. I’ve not seen you in a few years. I think you’ve forgotten all about me.”

  “Never. I’ve been so busy with the house and work.”

  “Excuses work on people who don’t know you, girl. Now my friend is getting married this weekend, and it’s going to be a huge shindig. The whole town’s invited with their families.”

  “That sounds exciting.”

  “It would be, but you’re my only family. I’m not going alone. Do you hear me, girl? It’s time for you to come and
visit.”

  Sissie was using her tone that said one way or another. The problem was she couldn’t afford to travel except to her job. Never mind traveling all the way to Honeywell, Texas to attend a wedding of someone she didn’t even know.

  “Sissie, I can’t come right now. I’m sorry.”

  Bailey grabbed the phone from her hand. “Hey, Sissie, this is Bailey, your cousin’s best friend. When do you need her there?”

  Hannah couldn’t believe this. Her best friend was turning on her like that. She knows I can’t afford to go. And I have all this construction going on. Bailey, you’re not doing this to me.

  “Great. You’ll see us both there tomorrow night. And thanks again for the invite. I’ve always wanted to see Texas. Hope the saying is true that everything is bigger in Texas.” Bailey laughed, and Hannah was sure Sissie had a snappy rebuttal to that comment. Sissie normally was quick-witted.

  Bailey ended the call and handed the phone back to Hannah.

  “I can’t believe you did that.” Hannah’s voice wasn’t harsh but shaking from hurt. She was going to have to call her cousin back and say she wasn’t going. It would’ve been easier being upfront and honest the first time. Now she’ll be disappointed and won’t believe I really can’t go.

  “Do what? Get you out of this place and on a vacation you need so badly?”

  “I can’t afford to go, and you are the one person who knows that.”

  Bailey put an arm around her shoulder as they started walking toward the house. “You’re right, but do you know what I do have?”

  “No.”

  “I have enough frequent flier miles from all my flying to comedy shows that it won’t cost either of us a dime to travel. And your cousin said we can stay with her. I know you took some time off from the diner so you could spend quality time with me. So let’s spend it in Texas. Are you ready to give in, or would you like to come up with a few more excuses that I’ll be happy to shoot down?”

  “What about the repairs? Who is going to watch them?”

  “Hannah. Be honest, girl. It’s not the repairs you’ve been watching, is it?” Bailey laughed.

  Damn it. This is why we’re friends. She pushes me in ways I’m not always comfortable with, but she always has my best interest in mind. Am I that good a friend to her? I hope she knows how much I appreciate and love her. Once again she’s right. I do need a break. “Okay. I’m going because I can’t stand to share that bathroom with those two guys for another week. I only asked one thing, one small thing.”

  “Put the seat down?”

  Hannah nodded.

  “You have so much to learn, Hannah. It’s the small things that trip up the guys. You’d have more luck asking for the moon.”

  Hannah laughed. “I’m glad you stole my phone from me.”

  “Good, because I have more to tell you, but I’m holding out till we’re in Texas.”

  Oh great. And you’re my friend? Hannah smiled and wrapped her arm around Bailey’s waist as they approached the house. Yes, you’re my best and dearest friend.

  Chapter Ten

  “What do you mean you’re leaving me here to do the repairs on my own?”

  Mark didn’t look at Don. “I told you, Casey is getting married.”

  “Exactly. What I want to know is where the hell is my invitation? I thought I was like a brother to her.”

  “Don, men don’t like to go to their own weddings, never mind someone else’s. So tell me why you suddenly want to go?”

  “For starters, there usually are a bunch of single women at weddings. Next, anything is better than sitting here by myself while you go off and have all the fun.”

  “You won’t be alone. I’m leaving you here to keep an eye on Hannah and Bailey while I’m gone.”

  Don laughed. “So if I didn’t have to watch the ladies I could go?”

  “Yes. But I can’t have them here alone with that guy upstairs.” Don knew this could be serious as Mark had given him his spare sidearm. If Don weren’t there, Mark wouldn’t go to the wedding. His priority would be to protect them at all cost.

  “Excellent, so we will take my jet, which is still at the airport.”

  Mark got up from where he was working and looked at Don. His voice was gruff and full of attitude. He was too tired to deal with any shit today. “What part of “you’re protecting the girls” did you miss?”

  “None. But since they’re boarding a plane today, I don’t see why I should sit around here twiddling my thumbs. Besides, it’s a perfect time for me to have a crew come and get the work done for us.”

  Are they leaving? “Where are they going?”

  Don shrugged his shoulders. “Bailey wouldn’t say. She said it’s a surprise for Hannah. I’m glad they’re heading out of here. We can have this done in a week or less without killing ourselves doing it.”

  “What kind of surprise?”

  Don was apparently frustrated. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. You brought me here to get the work done. Somehow it’s all working out better than either of us could hope for, yet you don’t seem to give a shit about what I’m telling you.”

  Mark knew Don was right. His focus was on Hannah and not on the house. This trip is good. She’ll be happy. That’s all that matters. I just wish I knew where and why she was going. And why she didn’t tell me . . .

  “What were you saying about the repairs?” Mark hated admitting he wasn’t listening to Don, but it’d been obvious anyway.

  “Since they are out for a week, I don’t know why I can’t bring in a team to get this all done. We don’t even need to be here to supervise. They can show up in the morning, and we’ll tell them what needs to be done and come back after the wedding, and we’ll do the finishing touches long before the girls get back.”

  It sounded good. Mark liked projects, but this one was much more than he normally took on. Getting some extra hands while they were away would mean he could concentrate on the guy upstairs when they got back.

  “Do it.”

  “Oh, I already did. They’ll be here by six a.m. tomorrow. My jet leaves at ten.”

  Bastard. Don was the only person who could get away with pulling that type of shit and he knew it. But this time, he was more of a cocky bastard than usual. Even though the plan was coming together nicely, he preferred it when it was his plan, and he had control.

  This has to stop. When we get back from Texas, I’m taking the control back. He knew this was much bigger than Don. He’d lost it with Hannah more than he ever thought possible. Time away from her was exactly what he needed. If he didn’t put some distance between them, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold back next time their paths crossed.

  “Isn’t this fun?” Bailey said as they stood by the window of the airport terminal.

  “Loads.” The sarcasm was coming through loud and clear.

  “Okay, tell me what’s wrong.”

  Hannah turned to her and said, “I can’t believe you wouldn’t let me tell Mark we were leaving. What’s he supposed to think?”

  “Keep the man guessing. Besides, I told Don, and he’ll tell Mark. See, all good. Stop worrying already.”

  Worry is all I seem to do lately. Worry about bills and worry about disappointing people. It’s exhausting, and I can’t keep doing it. But what options are there?

  “It’s easy for you to say. But that place is all I have.”

  “No. You’re wrong on that point, my friend. You have so much more, and getting away to see your cousin might help you realize that.”

  I hope so. Right now I just want to be back at that old broken down piece of shit because that is where Mark is. That’s stupid because he’s been avoiding me since I had my little meltdown, but I can’t stop thinking of him. The damn man is making me feel. I’ve tried so hard not to.

  “While we wait for them to call out seat numbers, why don’t you tell me what else you and Sissie have planned for me?”

  “Good try, but no. That is a surprise. My l
ips are sealed.”

  “I thought we were friends.”

  “BFF always. But the answer is still no.”

  Before she could push any more, their seat numbers were called to board the plane. You lucked out that time, Bailey. When will it be my turn to have some luck?

  They boarded, and Hannah gave Bailey the window seat. She hated to fly, but Bailey loved it. As they taxied away from the terminal, they passed by a row of private jets.

  “Now that’s the life. No lines, no waiting.”

  Hannah looked out to see what Bailey had been pointing to. “Maybe when we’re old and gray we’ll have one too,” Hannah teased.

  “It comes when you least expect it.”

  Then it should’ve already been here.

  “Hannah, hurry up and look at that one. The smaller jet. What does it say?”

  She leaned over again not watching the movement as they taxied, trying to avoid getting sick. “I don’t know.”

  “Look. I think it says Farrell.”

  Hannah looked again. It did look like that, but she wasn’t sure. The letters were too small. “It could be anything, Bailey.”

  “Yeah, it could, but it could also be Farrell. You don’t think—?”

  “No, Bailey. I don’t. Did you see the old beat-up truck he’s driving?”

  “Oh, yeah. What the heck was I thinking? That some billionaire decided to play contractor at your house just for fun? I tell you, I think I’ve been doing comedy so long my imagination thinks anything is possible.”

  “Well, you ask Don when we get back if he’s a billionaire undercover and let’s see if he laughs.” I know I will if you actually do it.

  She gripped the armrest as they began their takeoff. Bailey reached out and covered her hand. “And off to live on the wild side for a week, Hannah. Who knows, maybe we’ll even rustle us up some sexy cowboys.”

  She was going for one reason and one reason only: her friend with a very strong will. If she had her way, she’d have her feet planted on the ground where they belonged. She didn’t know why she hated flying so much. She’d made this flight every summer when she was a child and went to stay with Sissie. But as she got older, things that hadn’t scared her then, did now.