Southern Spice (Southern Desires Series Book 1) by Jeannette Winters

where she stood. “Getting things prepared for another presentation today.”
    McLean chuckled and then hopped off his horse and tied him to the post. With his tall stature, he climbed the steps two at a time and took the chair she was holding. “Miss Casey, if you don’t mind me saying, you ain’t in any shape to be hauling all this stuff around yourself.”
    That was the truth but not very flattering. How she wished she could look in a mirror right now and see what they saw. But then again, maybe that’s only going to make me feel worse. Did she look as bad as she felt? No, that wasn’t possible; she felt like death but was living and breathing.
    McLean looked every bit of the part of Texan cowboy. He obviously didn’t believe in shaving every day like Derrick, but they both were tall, lean, and looked tough enough to take on a rattlesnake and win. Personality wise they were as different as night and day. McLean wasn’t gruff at all. Actually she found him to be easy-going and friendly like her. God knows he is good-looking, so why am I not attracted to him instead of Derrick? I’ve never been into bad boys.
    “I’m sure you have plenty to do around here without me adding anything to your list.”
    “I reckon you ain’t been in Texas before, Miss Casey, because we help each other here.”
    “Thank you. I really appreciate the help.”
    Casey let him take all the chairs inside and set them up while she made another huge jug of lemon iced tea. Even in the air conditioning a bead of sweat trickled down the back of her neck. She wasn’t used to this type of heat. How Derrick and his crew managed it each day was beyond her. She was a northern girl, born and raised, and even the hottest days never felt like this.
    “What the hell is going on?” a familiar voice barked at the entrance.
    And here we go again. Slowly she turned and prepared herself for the verbal lashing that was about to come once she delivered the news. “We’re having another meeting today.”
    “And who authorized it to happen here?” Derrick took off his hat and hung it on the hook by the door.
    Oh, how she wished she could say the state of Texas, but she knew there were no such laws in place. Nope, this was all her doing. Overstepping her boundaries as she had done in the past. But this time, she’d gone further than before. It would’ve been bad enough just inviting them once, but twice without speaking to him first, well now, she was the rude one. I should feel bad, but I don’t. I expected a tongue lashing last night, but he said nothing outrageous about it. So he couldn’t have been that upset.
    Does he even know what FEMA does? Maybe not. “You do know why I am here, correct? To help these people put their lives back in order.”
    Derrick glared at her, a complete badass look with his hands on his hips. “I know why you think you’re here, but what you say and what actually happens when you leave are two different things.”
    “What exactly does that mean?” She was offended that anyone, even someone as small-minded as he was, would accuse her of anything but wanting to help these people.
    “It means I know firsthand what your agency represents, and I don’t want to be any part of it. If the others want to believe your lies, then let them, but I don’t want to hear them. Understood?”
    What lies? She was here delivering the same message she had many times over the past few years. It might not be a pleasant one, but it was all fact. She had never misled anyone, intentionally or not. Her heart pounded in anger. This might be his house, but she wasn’t going to be spoken to in such a manner.
    “Mr. Nash, I do not know where you get your information, or what gives you the right to accuse me of being a liar, but I assure you I’m here with only the best of intentions for Honeywell and all who live here, including your arrogant ass!” Casey said sharply.
    Derrick arched his brow then tipped his head back and laughed. “You