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

time they didn’t have a home left, never mind access to the Internet. Some of the policies were asinine. If I were in charge, a few things would need to change, and this is one of them.
    The afternoon went by so quickly, but Derrick didn’t show his face, not once. That shouldn’t surprise her as he’d made it clear people weren’t welcome. But how could he resist with all the laughter echoing through the house? Everyone had such a positive attitude despite many of them losing everything. Why wouldn’t he want to be around them? What could they have possibly done for him to shut them out?
    The last few people left, and Sissie turned to her and asked, “Is everything okay?”
    And there I go letting my emotions show again. I was so close. Forcing a smile she replied, “Yes, just trying to recap the day in my head for documentation later.”
    Sissie laughed. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a horrible liar?”
    My entire life. Casey tried to change the subject. “Thank you again for getting the word out to folks. This really was much easier. I should have everything wrapped up in another few days and maybe even finish early.”
    “Well, we can’t have that. We’ll have to come up with some excuse to keep you around longer. Look how good you have been for Derrick. You’re here for just a few days, and you already have him opening up the ranch to us.” She nudged Casey with her elbow and continued, “I mean the last time any of us tried coming out here he shot a few rounds in the air then threatened to shoot us all for trespassing if we ever came back. We were lucky that Jack and McLean were there to calm him down. But who would’ve thought a tiny northern girl like you could do more than all the tough Texans around here? You’re going to have to give me your secret.”
    Casey knew he didn’t like them here, but he actually pulled a rifle on them? If she’d known that before, she never would have invited them now. She was here to help them, not put their lives at risk. Really, Casey? Can I possibly make this any worse than I already have?
    She needed to make sure this was the last time they would meet on his property. How could she deliver that message without letting on that he’d had no part of opening the ranch to them in the first place? There’s always the truth, but I don’t think that would sit well with my boss.
    “Special circumstances. But going forward our meetings will be held in town.” Because I’ve already pushed my luck.
    “Two days is still amazing.” As they stood on the porch, Sissie looked around. “You should’ve seen this place before. The entire town used to come for holiday celebrations. Penny used to decorate the barn and all along the fence to the main gate. She had more lights strung up than there are stars in the sky. It sure was a sight to see.”
    Casey looked around and didn’t see any sign of such things now. Who was Penny? An old girlfriend or maybe an ex-wife? She knew it wouldn’t take much to get Sissie spilling all she knew, but what business of hers was it? It didn’t have an effect on how she did her job, and he had already warned her not to cross the line into his personal life.
    “I see the jacaranda tree is in bloom,” Sissie said. “Unusual for this time of year, but then again, our weather has been a lot warmer than usual too.”
    Casey looked around to see what she was talking about. Then she saw off to the right, up on the hill, was a large tree with beautiful purple flowers. She’d never seen one like that before nor had she heard of a jacaranda. It looked out of place as it was the only bright color she’d noticed on the ranch.
    “No matter how pretty it is, it still makes me so sad to look at it.” Sissie’s voice was quiet and for the first time, no hint of joy in it at all. “I’m sure it’s added to Derrick’s already foul mood.”
    “Why?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. But she wanted to know. Maybe then