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

doesn’t know it.
    Picking up the pen she stared at the paper in front of her. Normally she wasn’t at a loss for words but what to say right now didn’t seem appropriate on paper. Staying to say it to his face seemed a worse choice.
    Come on, Casey, let the words flow. Don’t overthink it. Keep it professional and be done. As the pen made contact with the paper words appeared on their own.
    Derrick,
    Thank you for allowing me to stay these past few days. I find it will be much easier for me to complete my work if I am stationed in town.
    Casey Collins
    She folded the note, wrote his name on top, and left it on the desk. Before she got up from the desk, she looked around one last time and tried to picture what Sissie had described. She could almost hear the music playing and children running around laughing. This ranch was beautiful, but it was the love of those who shared it that made it a home. Casey understood now why it felt so cold and empty.
    The heart had been removed from it.
    Now it was only walls and a roof. A chill ran down her spine at the realization.
    Filled with sadness, she pushed away from the desk and left the office, shutting the door behind her. She didn’t belong here. This place was filled with memories, and they were not hers to disturb.
    She saw a Jeep pull up and a young man dressed in a uniform get out. Casey picked up her new cell phone—the only thing still inside—and walked out of the house. Be at peace, Derrick.
    The deputy had already loaded her meager belongings into the back. Jack must have warned him not to talk because they drove into town in total silence.
    She closed her eyes and tried to erase the last few days from her memory, but they wouldn’t leave. Not one moment. She felt as though she was somehow on the run again. She had run from Buffalo after hearing the news of her father’s diagnosis. He shouldn’t be out in the field, but nothing the doctors said would change his mind. Not even my pleas to have him come home where he’d be close by. Regardless, she had run. Taken any work assignment that meant she was traveling. Keeping busy. Don’t think of what she couldn’t change. Keep moving forward. Here I go again. Derrick practically told me I’m not wanted here, so instead of conflict, I’ll leave. Technically, it may look like I am still running. But this is what’s best for both of us. Let us both find some peace.
    “What do you mean you don’t know where she is? You’re supposed to know everything that goes on here,” Derrick barked.
    “You told me to stay away from the house, now you want to know why I wasn’t there?” McLean replied.
    He didn’t want any rational explanations. All he wanted was to find Casey. The horses were here as well as the vehicles, so she couldn’t be far. It’s not like she has friends here that she would go and visit. Unless . . . Sissie! She has a way of making everyone her friend whether you like it or not.
    “Do you have Sissie’s number?”
    McLean arched a brow. “And why would I have that?”
    “It’s a yes or no question.”
    He nodded. “Yeah. You don’t think she took off with her, do you? I’m not so sure after what happened yesterday, at least.”
    What does that mean? Did Casey tell McLean about the kiss? Is that why she left? “It was a stupid mistake. It shouldn’t have happened.”
    “Sissie didn’t mean no harm. You know how she gets. I think she thought it would help if Casey knew—”
    “What did she do?”
    McLean looked shocked. “What were you talking about if not . . . Sissie?”
    I was talking about a kiss that still has my blood running hot a day later. “McLean, if you don’t start talking you better call Jack because you’re going to get your ass beat until you do.”
    McLean removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair then wiped the sweat from his brow before speaking again. “She knows. About Penny and Kim.”
    Why didn’t she tell me? Was that what last night was all