Southern Spice (Southern Desires Series Book 1) (12 page)

By the way he kissed her and touched her, she knew he found her attractive. Something else had changed his mind at the last minute.
Unfortunately, nothing changed mine. I would gladly give up another night of sleep to have you here with me, Derrick.

H
er eyes were closed, but sleep wouldn’t come. This time, it wasn’t just Derrick keeping her awake but Mark as well. She’d been so distracted with everything happening between her and Derrick that she never asked Mark why he was calling. Casey hoped everything was okay with him. He wasn’t one to share information as much as obtain it. If she would have returned his call, he would’ve evaded her questions and deferred the subject back to her.

Talking to Mark did open her eyes. He would’ve dug deeper into what was going on because he never took anything at face value. So why was she taking Derrick at face value? There was no way it was because Derrick had warned her to stay out of his private life. If anything, a warning like that should have been a red flag that something wasn’t right.
Maybe it’s time I find out what that is.

Casey knew Derrick’s wife and child had died in an accident. That type of trauma would leave a permanent scar on the strongest of people, but something told her there was more to the story she didn’t know.

Throwing her covers off, she went downstairs and confirmed she was alone in the house. She plopped herself down on the couch.
This would be so much easier if I had my laptop.

With everything still in Jack’s office she had to make do with her iPhone. She normally wasn’t a snoop, so where to start looking didn’t come naturally. She typed in Derrick Nash. He didn’t have a Facebook page. That probably wasn’t going to give her the information she needed anyway. The only thing she was able to find was that his address wasn’t here in Texas, but actually he lived in New York.
So why are you here?

Knowing his New York address, she found some details of his business online, and it seemed Mr. Nash was doing quite well for himself.
Ranching must be his hobby because that man doesn’t need the money.

Casey gave up finding anything juicy on him. She could call Sissie, who probably had all the information she was looking for, but she’d probably have her own twist on it. Also, she wanted to keep her search private, and Sissie held a secret like a strainer held water.

I’m looking for the wrong name.
Casey typed Penny Nash and still no results. What was she missing? Then it hit her. Typing one final name, Penelope Nash, she hit search. Instantly numerous articles from North Carolina appeared. She was tempted to start there, but her eyes were focused on one in particular.
The obituary.

Casey was hesitant to read it. She wasn’t sure why. It was public knowledge. Maybe the reason she was going to read it was troubling her. She scanned it quickly and found Penny had been an only child. Her parents were already deceased. Derrick kept the burial private, which seems to be exactly how he remained to this day.
Alone.

Casey then opened the articles that had been in the paper. One mentioned the husband had been in New York on business at the time of the accident. Many couples needed to separate to maintain financial stability, so that wasn’t abnormal. What wasn’t
normal
was an interview where Derrick stated it was murder—not an accident—and someone would pay.

What made him think their deaths were anything but an accident?
Whatever it was, she needed to find out. It was too late for her to call the police department and request a copy of the report, but at least she could reach out to one of her coworkers at FEMA and see what they had on file. This accident was during a hurricane, so it was very possible a FEMA agent was on-site afterward.
And with loss of life, a supervisor should have been there as well
.

Normal practices would require her to go through the proper chain of command and request a report through JT.
I’m not saying anything about this story until I know exactly what happened five years ago.

Typing the email to one of her friends, she asked for copies of the documents to be emailed to her. Now all she could do was wait. The next twenty-four hours were either going to give her answers or more questions. Either way, she needed to make sure Derrick didn’t find out she was digging deeper into his life.

Believe it or not, Derrick, I’m doing this for you. Just remember that when or if the shit hits the fan.

Derrick was up early, mostly because he hadn’t slept. McLean’s words, though out of line, had haunted him all night. It was so easy for everyone to give him their advice when they weren’t walking in his shoes.

Yes, they’d all loved Penny and Kim. Penny had grown up on this ranch, and the folks of Honeywell acted as though they were her extended family. But the reality was Penny and Kim weren’t their family, but his. How they’d all moved on so easily without any answers was beyond him. Often he felt hatred toward them as they continued on with their lives. All it did was remind him that it was his job to keep their memory alive, or they’d be forgotten altogether.

A knock on the door broke him from the painful thoughts. “What do you want?”

McLean opened it and said, “You have company.”

Derrick stood up. “I know. I told you Casey was staying at the house.”

“Not her. When I was out at the barn, I saw a chopper landing behind the house in the field. You expecting anyone else?”

I wasn’t expecting the first visitor, never mind more.
Derrick brushed by him and shouted, “You left Casey at the house alone with God knows who?”

“Your house, your girl. Thought I better let you handle it.”

If he wasn’t concerned about Casey, he would stay and set McLean straight about his smart-ass remark. This past week, he noticed McLean was pushing his luck more than usual. He was playing a dangerous game, and Derrick knew very well how it was going to end if McLean didn’t back off.

Derrick might use questionable tactics in business, but nothing that would have someone showing up at his door. Whatever brought them here today, he needed to address it quickly.

He flew out of the cabin and jumped in the truck, speeding to the house. Casey had enough going on without her taking on any of his issues as well.

As he rounded the bend, he saw the chopper taking off again. There didn’t appear to be any markings on the chopper, which was odd. Whoever it was had decided not to hang around. Could they have landed there in error? Or maybe they were doing a flyby to check out the damage. Of course, they hadn’t sustained any at the ranch.

Then he saw a tall muscular man climbing the steps to the house. He wasn’t dressed in a uniform, but that didn’t mean anything. The only thing Derrick knew was he hadn’t invited him.

He was about to shout out to the guy when the front door opened, and Casey came out. First she looked shocked, or surprised, then she was smiling, actually beaming with joy and half ran into the man’s arms. He watched the guy swing her around in the air before placing her back on the porch and giving her a kiss on the top of her head.
Damn. He’s not here for me. It’s her lover. She invited her lover to my ranch. What the hell!

Everything in him wanted to go and tell her off and kick the guy’s ass off his ranch. She’d invited the folks from town and now her boyfriend? Was she just playing him when she’d looked at him with desire? Had she just been relieving her boredom? Does she do this on every assignment?
Whatever game you’re playing, Casey, I’m not playing it with you. You and your friend, or whatever he is, can get the fuck off my ranch.

His blood rushed through his veins in anger. Last night he’d come so close to taking her to his bed. Today she was in the arms of another man. Casey appeared to be one hell of an actress. She enticed him with her sweet ways, when all this time she was involved with another man.
You can have her, buddy. She’s not the lovely sweet girl everyone believes her to be. Eventually, true colors always come out.

Derrick didn’t even get out of the truck. Instead, he turned it around and headed down the driveway. Staying in Texas yesterday had been a mistake.
I should have gotten on that plane. It’s time. Time to return to New York.

In his rearview mirror, he watched them enter his house arm and arm.
I was right. A liar with only her own interests at heart. The town deserves whatever they get by listening to her lies. FEMA wasn’t there for me five years ago, and obviously nothing has changed except who they send to do their dirty work.

No matter how pissed he was at the townsfolk for showing up at his ranch, Penny would’ve wanted him to protect them if possible.
Get ready, Casey. You are about to become this town’s number-one enemy. I think it’s time you go home.

“M
ark, what are you doing here? How did you find me?” Casey asked as they entered the house.

“Baby sis, you know I’m not allowed to talk about stuff like that.” He laughed. “Besides, if I told you, then you’d probably turn off your show-location option on your iPhone.”

Casey was grateful that her new iPhone had been fully programmed and loaded with all her old information before it was shipped to her, however she was not opposed to Mark updating it a bit. Whether it was him or her employer, she liked her privacy. Pulling it out of her pocket, she handed it to her brother. “It’s that simple huh? Well, it won’t be next time. Turn it off please.”

He took the phone, adjusted the settings, and handed it back. “All set, but remember, that only stops the creeps. It will take more than that to stop me.”

She knew that from years of personal experience. Somehow he’d always shown up at the most unexpected times. He had specialized military training and more contacts to call than anyone she knew. If she was in trouble, she’d reach out to Mark first.
Should I ask him to help me with Derrick? I’m sure he’d find out more than I can. But do I really want to know that much about anyone? Mark probably knows more about me than I do.

“What’s going on, Casey?” Mark asked as they sat on the couch.

How do you do that? Or am I so damn easy to read?
“I have work on my mind.” That was close enough to the truth. She was, after all, waiting for a detailed fatality report concerning Derrick’s wife and daughter. If she had her laptop, things would be so much easier, as she could access the files without involving anyone else.

“According to the reports I’ve looked into, this is far from the worst you’ve seen. It should be cut and dry. So I am going to guess this has more to do with the man you’re involved with.”

It has everything to do with Derrick. That man is so under my skin, and I have no idea why.
“First of all, we are not involved. We are just—”

“I don’t need that kind of detail, sis, unless you want me to take him out back for a man-to-man talk,” Mark said, arching his brow.

Many men she would have worried about, but somehow she knew Derrick could hold his own with Mark. Maybe not the same training, but he wasn’t the type of man to go down easily.
Of course, this is another reason why I should mind my own business and stop snooping. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath if he ever loses control.

“I am trying to find out about his wife and daughter. They were killed in a flood five years ago.”

“It’s simple, Casey. If you want to know something, ask him. If he wants to talk about them, he will. If not, let it go.”

Mark’s advice was rational, but he never stopped when he wanted to know something, so why should she? Besides, asking Derrick about someone he’d loved and probably still did, wasn’t a topic she felt comfortable approaching with him.

She needed to change the subject because it was obvious he wasn’t going to help her. “So what brings you here? And don’t tell me you were in the neighborhood.”

“I had some spare time between things and thought it was about time we touched base.”

“You could’ve let me know you were coming. I would’ve—” Casey hopped off the couch.
Oh shit. I need to get him out of here before Derrick shows up. I don’t need these two meeting. Especially considering how unhappy Derrick is with me right now. He’s never going to believe I didn’t
invite
my brother to his ranch.

Mark didn’t move. He only watched her as she went to the window and looked outside. She was surprised Derrick hadn’t shown up bright and early, just as Mark had. Last night he seemed like he wanted her out of his life as quickly as possible.

She looked around but didn’t see a vehicle outside that should belong to Mark. “Where’s your car?”

“I was dropped off by a friend. Trying to get rid of me so soon?” he asked, eyeing her closely.

Hmm. I had heard a helicopter fly over earlier. Guess that was your ride.

“No. I just need to get into town. All my work stuff is there, and if you remember, I am here on business.”

“How could I forget? You keep reminding me,” Mark stated.

There was no hint of sarcasm, but she knew better. Now was not the time to call him out on it. She needed to get him out of here quickly. She could call Sissie and ask her to give them a ride, but that would delay their departure. The only close person, who might be willing to help her, was McLean.
At least he seems to be willing to come to my aid.

“I’ll be right back,” Casey said and left Mark sitting alone in the living room. She wasn’t sure if McLean was in the barn, but at least the door was open, so someone was there.
Don’t be Derrick.

Before she had a chance to enter, McLean and Bubba were coming out.

“Howdy, Miss Casey,” Bubba said, tipping his hat.

“Good morning, Bubba.” Then Casey turned to McLean. “I was wondering if I could speak to you alone for a minute.”

“Well, I reckon I can start fixing the south fence myself,” Bubba said and headed off on his horse.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to take you away from your work,” Casey said sincerely. “I have a problem, and I was hoping you could help.”

He hopped off his horse and tied him to the hitching post. “Ma’am, you don’t have to feel bad. We like to take care of each other out here. So what can I do for you?”

“Well, I have an unexpected guest, and we need a ride into town.”

“And you don’t want Derrick to know,” McLean said plainly.

Is it that obvious?
“I would prefer him not to if possible.”

“Miss Casey, I’ll give y’all the ride, but you should talk to him. I’m not sure what’s going on between the two of you, but you’re good for him. Although he might not have figured it out himself yet.”

She wasn’t there to discuss Derrick or herself; she just wanted to avoid Mark and Derrick meeting. Mark had no problem asking questions, even ones that were none of his business. “McLean, I really appreciate this. I’ll go back to the main house and let Mark know; we’re ready when you are.”

“I’ll pull the truck around in five,” McLean said as he walked his horse back inside the barn.

Now she only had to get back to town and find Mark a place to stay.
I can’t let Mark know why my stuff is at the sheriff’s office. He’ll never let me live it down if he finds out I almost spent the night in a jail cell.

Before she could get to the house, she saw Mark standing on the porch. He’d obviously watched her interaction with McLean. “Is that him?”

“No. And I would appreciate it if you don’t talk about it on the ride to town either,” Casey said as he walked down to meet her.

McLean pulled up in an old beat-up truck, so beat up, in fact, she hoped it could make it to town. Casey climbed in first and sat between Mark and McLean. If this was awkward, she could just picture how bad it would’ve been if it was Derrick. There was no way she would be able to hide her emotions with him so physically close.

“Where to?” McLean asked.

“Jack’s office, if you don’t mind.” Casey saw Mark looking at her. She loved seeing her family, but the timing was far from perfect. She shook her head.
No, not Jack either.

“My sister seems to have forgotten her manners. My name’s Mark.” He reached in front of her to shake McLean’s hand.

“McLean, nice to meet you. I’m sure your sister has a lot on her mind.”

“Like what?”

Oh no.
“Work,” Casey said abruptly before McLean could respond.

McLean winked at her but said nothing. She owed that guy. Hopefully, all his kindness to her these past few days wasn’t getting him in trouble with his boss. “Sorry about the heat, the AC in this old truck bit the dust, and I usually drive the F350 except when Derrick decides to show his face in Texas, which is rare. He already took off earlier this morning, probably to town,” McLean said as he gave Casey a warning look.

She smiled gratefully for the heads-up. At least she knew why he wasn’t at the main house first thing. Now she just needed to slip into Jack’s office, grab her stuff, and find a place for her and Mark to stay. It all sounded easy, but pulling it off in a small town like this one—unnoticed—was going to be nearly impossible.

Thankfully the ride to town was controlled by McLean talking about the different kinds of horses and the ranch. Surprisingly, Mark seemed interested. As far as she knew, he’d never even been on a horse. But then again, there were a lot of things she didn’t know about her brother.
Feels good for once that you are wondering about me and I’m not spilling.

“Derrick, I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re on edge like I haven’t seen since—”

“Leave it alone, Jack. We might be friends, but I don’t need anyone butting into my life,” Derrick said sharply. No matter how close he and Jack were, he still knew better than to bring up the accident.

“You made it my business yesterday when you stormed in here and carried that sweet girl out over your shoulder. Where is she, by the way?”

Sweet girl, my ass. Just wait, my friend. You’ll see just how sweet she is.
“You need to find her a place to stay. Not here and not at my ranch either.”

Jack leaned back in his chair eyeing him. “Might want to work on your southern charm to win her over. Most women don’t like being rustled up like cattle and thrown over a shoulder. Well, at least, not outside the bedroom.” Jack laughed but Derrick found nothing humorous in the conversation. “You need to know how to—”

“I know how to treat women, Jack. I was married to one of the best women that walked this God-awful planet,” Derrick retorted angrily.

He didn’t want to speak about Casey, and he sure as hell didn’t want to bring up Penny again either. Jack and Penny had been close, and he knew it was a sore subject all around.

“Sorry, Derrick, I didn’t mean—”

“Just find her a place. I can’t have her at my ranch anymore,” he said.

Jack looked past him, and Derrick turned to see what had caught his attention. He saw Casey and the guy she’d been all over earlier.
What the hell?

“Funny, Derrick. I was just about to tell Jack the same thing. Thanks for saving me the trouble,” Casey said.

He wasn’t sure how long she was there or what she had heard, but he could tell from her expression, she’d heard enough to be hurt. Derrick might be pissed at her, but he still couldn’t bring himself to hurt her.
The guy with you, on the other hand, is a different story.

“Did your boyfriend fly you to town in his chopper?” Derrick asked as he glared at the stranger standing behind her.

The guy laughed and said, “Now that, without a doubt, is him. I am beginning to understand why you didn’t want me to know.”

Derrick didn’t like the looks of the guy at all. The man was cocky and arrogant, and right now Derrick’s temper was barely under control. It wasn’t going to take much to make him snap. “What that hell is that supposed to mean?” Had Casey told him about what he did last night? Is that why he showed up all of a sudden? Did he feel threatened?
You should. Your girl wants me, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.

“I’ll need arrangements made for two if you don’t mind,” Casey interrupted.

“No problem. And what’s your friend’s name?” Jack asked as he came over to greet them.

“Mark Collins,” he said and extended his hand to Jack.

“You’re married?” The words flew out of Derrick’s mouth. Casey’s eyes were wide with shock when she looked at him. He met her gaze with his own.
The truth always comes out in the end.

“I don’t believe my marital status is any of your business, Mr. Nash,” Casey shouted at him.

I wonder if your husband would feel the same way if he knew how your body came alive at my touch.
Derrick stood there, trying to convey his message to her with his eyes. It wasn’t his place to inform
her husband
about what his wife had been up too.

When he looked at Mark to see his reaction to all this, it wasn’t what he’d expected. He stood with his arms crossed in front of him as though taking it all in. It wasn’t anger in his eyes or jealousy, but yet there was protectiveness about him.
Don’t worry, buddy. I’m not happy with your wife, but I would never hurt a woman.