Southern Spice (Southern Desires Series Book 1) (3 page)

“Thank you for the dry clothes.”

He turned to face her but said nothing. His expression was one she had seen too many times before. It was one of torment. She’d been told there had been no fatalities from the tornado, only massive property damage. Maybe he was the type of person who valued things above all else. It was easy enough to find out.

Casey opened her mouth to ask but thought better of it before the words slipped past her lips. Whatever troubled him, it wasn’t any of her business. She was here on a job, and that didn’t entail trying to figure out what made him so darn unfriendly.
Stay focused. I can’t afford to screw up again. JT hadn’t been joking when he’d said I’d be fired, and I’m finally off probation. This assignment has to be perfect, or I’m going to lose the one job I’ve always wanted. Something I’m actually good at.

When he finally spoke, his tone was flat. “I will take you into town once the storm passes. For now, make yourself comfortable here on the couch.” He got up and headed for the stairs once again.

She didn’t want to be where she wasn’t welcome. And there was no way she was going to feel the least bit comfortable with him in the house. The office had booked her a room at the High Hat Hotel in town, and that was where she was going to spend the night, with or without his help. “I’ll call a cab.” She looked around the room for a phone to use as everything, including her cellphone, was lost somewhere in the ravine.

He didn’t even turn to face her as he said, “The phones are out.”

This rudeness was driving her crazy. Yes, she should be grateful he pulled her out of the ditch—saved her life most probably—but that didn’t give him the right to treat her poorly. At least, not in her book.
You get what you give in this world.

“Do you treat all your guests this way or am I just special?” Casey asked boldly.

He stopped in his tracks, turned, and walked back to face her. If she thought he was tall or intimidating before, the look he gave her shook her to the core. His eyes were so dark they were almost black, his nose looked like it may have been broken in a fight or two, and his jaw said he was as stubborn as the day was long. She forced herself to meet his gaze, but inside she could feel the acid in the pit of her stomach begin to turn. He was too close for comfort.
Don’t be sick. But then again, vomiting on him might get him to back away.

“First, you’re not a guest. You’re a trespasser. That’s all.” His voice was sharp. “Second, if you would have read the sign at the gate, you would not be standing in my living room right now. So if anyone should complain, it would be me.”

It was hard for her to argue either of those points. Never before had she made such mistakes.
It could have cost me a lot more than just my phone, laptop, luggage, and truck.

Casey couldn’t continue to stare her opponent square in the eyes. It was no longer about fear.
I’m so embarrassed. To have gotten lost. If they knew about this in the office, they would never send me out into the field again. Maybe JT is right. Maybe I don’t belong in the field. Maybe I’ll always be behind a desk, processing the claim paper work, and not a field agent.

Giving up wasn’t an option, but she couldn’t deny his accusations. Softly she said, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

He stood quietly as though trying to read her true motives. How she wished she could claim to have a poker face. Unfortunately, her brothers told her time and time again she was more like an open book. All anyone had to do was look in her eyes, and they saw exactly how she felt. His eyes continued to search hers and slowly they went from almost black, back to brown.
I wonder what he saw that I didn’t want him to see?

Whatever it was he seemed to relax a bit, but not enough to make her want to break the silence first.

“What’s your name?”

“Casey.”

“Do you need anything before I go upstairs?” he asked.

Maybe some pleasant conversation. A cup of coffee. Or a bite to eat.
“Just your name.”

“So you weren’t coming here to see me?” His brow arched as he watched for her response.

Confused, shaking her head, Casey answered. “No. Not at all. It was an innocent mistake. I must have taken the wrong turn a few miles back and lost my sense of direction because of the heavy rain. Trust me, none of this was intentional. I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here.”

He laughed a deep husky laugh. “Then you really don’t know whose ranch you’re on?”

She didn’t know. “No. Is this your ranch?”

A simple yes or no was what she expected but received neither. Instead, he said, “My name is Derrick Nash.” The name didn’t mean anything to her. It wasn’t on her list of people she needed to meet with either. But Casey wasn’t about to question him, at least not at the moment. She was tired, her body was aching, and all of a sudden a sharp pain started shooting through her right knee. Standing there was becoming impossible so she tried to walk toward the couch but found it difficult, and she started to limp to keep the weight off her leg.

“Are you okay?” she heard Derrick ask, his tone almost sounding concerned.

The next step she took hurt even more than the first ones.

There were only a few more feet to go before she reached her destination, but she feared she wouldn’t make it. As her knee began to buckle, she prepared herself for an inevitable drop to the floor. Yet, for the second time that night, Derrick’s timing was perfect. She found herself swooped up and safely cradled in his strong arms. He carried her the rest of the way to the couch and sat her ever so gently down as though she was fragile.
If only your words were as kind as your actions.

No matter how good it felt at that moment, her brief experience with him said once there was any distance between them, it was going to be over. Her training had taught her never to trust feelings right after a close call with death, as she just experienced. Every sense was heightened.
That
must be the explanation for her strong physical attraction to him.
Of course being drop-dead gorgeous with the look of danger in his eyes wasn’t helping any.

Her cheeks were flushed for many reasons, but she brushed them away. “I’m okay. Really I am.” That wasn’t true. She knew something was wrong with her knee. Maybe it was the adrenaline from earlier that caused her not to notice how bad it was before. Whatever it was, it had worn off, and her knee felt like it was on fire and standing on it was no longer an option.
Thank God it didn’t happen while I was in the shower. That would have been awkward, to say the least.

“No, you’re not. Take off your pants. I want to see your leg.” This was demanded
not
asked.

And this is also awkward.
There was no way she was removing any of her clothes in front of him. She had made that clear once, and that hadn’t changed any. “I said I’m okay. It will be fine in the morning. I just need to rest it.”
With a lot of ice.

Derrick wasn’t hearing it. He reached down unrolled her cuffed jeans and grabbed the hem of the pants with both hands, gripped it and tore it wide open to her thigh. Casey gasped in shock. She moved quickly to pull away and the pain shot through her.

“Ah . . .” Casey couldn’t hold back crying out.

“Damn it! Look at your knee.” Derrick’s voice sounded shocked. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you were hurt?”

You never asked.
Casey didn’t need to look at her knee. She could tell it was bad by the pain and lack of flexibility. “I’ll ice it. It will be okay.” It was a slim chance, but it was a good place to start. Once in town, she’d get proper care for it, but she had to keep this injury on the down-low.
Only me. Only I could have gotten lost and rolled off a road. If it wasn’t for the fact I was driving my personal vehicle instead of a company car, I would have to add it to the list of “I can’t believe she did that.” I’m not sure, but this one might beat the time I was trapped in the ladies’ room at a gas station for three hours because the doorknob fell out and I had to wait until someone walked by.
If it wasn’t all on the job, she might find it humorous. But to Casey, it seemed like another reason not to be taken seriously. It was standing in the way of what she wanted.
I deserve a promotion if shit like this keeps happening.

The pain shot through her knee again.
No way am I taking any time off for an injury. JT would just love that.
The man was intent to ruin her. But what she couldn’t figure out was why.

“I have some horse liniment in the barn. I’ll get it and wrap it. That will hold you till we can get the doctor out here to look at it.”

He probably means a vet.
“I’m not using stuff you put on a horse.”

“I have some of the best horses in the US on this ranch. What I use on them is better medicine than most doctors use on people.”

Before she could question him further, he was at the door, putting on his coat and hat and heading into the storm.

Just one wrong turn, that’s all it was, and look at me now. How am I going to explain all this?

In a matter of minutes, Derrick returned, carefully applied the ointment on her knee, and wrapped it. He took such care while doing so, but for a quick second, she thought she saw his hands tremble. Was he afraid to hurt her? A few minutes ago he looked like he could bite her head off. Why such tender care now?
Don’t give it thought, Casey. Just be thankful you’re not still stuck in that truck.

When Derrick finished wrapping her knee, he bent over her and picked her up again. Despite being almost thirty years old, Casey had never been carried by a man.
God, you’re warm and smell amazing. I could be tempted to let you carry me everywhere.
If she didn’t feel so indignant and embarrassed, she would probably be swooning over the attention from him. But this man was not—could never be—swoon worthy.

“What are you doing?” Casey asked as she tried to push away from him, which was useless considering his strength. She might not win, but she wanted him to know she was unwilling. He ignored her, holding her firmly in place.

He was climbing the stairs when he answered, “You need to be off that leg.”

Gee, and I was just about to go for a run.
“I know that. But I could have done that on the couch.”

When they reached the top of the stairs, he kicked open a door and flipped on the light switch. She looked around. The decor said it all. There was no question in her mind where she was.
Oh, God no. He carried me to his bedroom.

“Mr. Nash, I want you to take me back downstairs,” Casey demanded. But he didn’t stop. He continued to walk toward the king-sized bed. There was no way was she sharing a bed with him.
No matter how handsome you are, you’re still a stranger, and I don’t do one-night stands. What the hell, Casey? Where did that thought come from? Have I not only injured my leg but my head too? The man has not given the slightest hint he is interested in me. If anything I should be thankful he isn’t throwing me back out into the storm. But this is his bedroom and . . .

Looking him square in the eye, she said firmly, “I’m not sleeping with you.”

He laid her on the bed, bent to only inches away from her face, and said softly, “I don’t remember offering.” Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she watched him walk toward the door again. “Don’t get up without me being here. I’m a light sleeper, so just call out my name if you need anything, and I’ll come back up.”

He stood holding the door, waiting for her to confirm she understood his instructions.
Damn, you’re arrogant.
Once she nodded her understanding, he walked out and shut the door behind him.

Casey was in shock.
Surely that’s why I told him I wasn’t going to sleep with him. Hell.
How did he expect her to get any sleep in a bed that smelled like him?
Sweet and musky.

She considered getting up to lock the door, but there was no way she could make it alone, so she conceded defeat. Reaching down to the foot of the bed, she grabbed a blanket and pulled it up over her head and closed her eyes.
It’s just one night. In the morning, I’ll get a cab and go into town and forget any of this night ever happened. Tomorrow, he’ll be a distant memory. The sun will rise, and I’ll be back on top doing what I came here to do. And that has nothing to do with a formidable ranch owner named Derrick Nash.

“I
don’t want anyone here, not for a day, and especially not for a whole month,” Derrick grumbled to the mayor.

He knew the tornado had devastated the town, and many had lost everything. If they wanted help, he was willing to donate, but that didn’t include taking anyone into his home. If it wasn’t for the fact Casey’s truck ended up in a ditch when the storm was at its peak, he would have sent her on her way last night. Now with her injured leg and her truck a total loss, things were complicated. Having an injured leg meant someone was going to have to take her into town.
Hell will freeze over before it’s me.

“Derrick, I know you like your privacy. We understand and respect that. But this situation requires us all to make exceptions. The High Hat is housing families with no place to go. I figured it was better to ask you to house one FEMA representative who is here to help, but if you’d rather I give him the room he had booked and send the family to your place instead, I can arrange that. This town needs financial assistance right now, and this person is going to be here to help us process the paperwork we need as well as help individuals do the same. So which is it going to be?”

The last thing he wanted was someone from FEMA staying on his ranch. He knew the game, the lies they told and the promises they made but never kept. If the mayor wanted to be naïve and take what they said at face value that was his choice. He didn’t want or need FEMA’s help.
They can’t replace
everything
you lose.

Five years. Five long, awful years since he’d lost them in that storm. The weatherman had said the hurricane wouldn’t reach that far inland. What they’d failed to report was the rain would cause massive flooding that far inland. Everyone said it was a tragic accident, but he hadn’t wanted to hear it. He
knew
it had been faulty material that caused that dam to break under the pressure. No one had been willing to accept the blame—not the town nor the builders—and FEMA had processed the paperwork as though it was all about money. He didn’t want or need their money. His silence couldn’t be bought. The other families could believe what they wanted, but he knew a cover-up when he saw one. Thinking back brought so much anger.

“One week, nothing more,” Derrick barked to the mayor on the phone.

“Derrick, this is not going to be resolved that quickly, and you know it. You’ve seen some of the destruction in town. Half the town is obliterated. This isn’t about convenience or what we’d like. We need FEMA’s assistance, and we need yours as well.”

If the mayor thought words would change how he felt, he hadn’t been effective making his point over the last five years. What happened in town wasn’t Derrick’s problem, and he wasn’t going to make it his either. “One week. That’s all. You’d better make other arrangements after that.”

“Understood. I’ll have the sheriff come by later today when Collins arrives.”

“Good. Tell him I have an unwelcome package he can take back to town with him.” He hung up before the mayor could respond. The less information anyone had regarding a strange female spending the night at his ranch the better.

He was here for one reason, and one reason only: to ensure the ranch remained as viable as it was when Penny ran it. Derrick had grown up in Texas and was more than comfortable around horses, but he preferred the view from his penthouse in New York City. This relaxed, easy-going lifestyle wasn’t going to keep him on top. His international investors expected results, and Derrick delivered time and time again. He couldn’t afford too much time away because there was always someone hovering, waiting for the opportunity to take what he had achieved.
No different than I would if I found someone slacking and not taking care of their business.

He walked onto the porch and looked at the sky. The sun was rising, and it looked like it was going to be a clear day. The barn doors were open, which meant the ranch hands were already out doing their daily routines and checking for damage from last night’s storm.

Derrick surrounded himself with people who didn’t need to be micro-managed.
If they can’t do the job on their own, you don’t do it for them. You replace them.

Normally he would be out there with them just like last night. Ultimately it was his responsibility to make sure everything was secure, but there was one thing he had to attend to first.
My unwanted guest.

Pouring the last of his black coffee over the railing, he opened the screen door and went back into the house.
Time to get the little princess up and out of here.

As he came to the stairs, he heard a noise coming from the kitchen. The guys rarely came in without being invited, yet his foreman was known for taking such liberties when he was away.

Clanking pots echoed through the house.
Who’s making such a racket?
What he found when he entered the kitchen almost knocked him off his feet.

Casey was bent over, her ass looking sinfully beautiful in the air, picking up pans that must have fallen out of the cupboard. Her right leg was still wrapped. Seeing her in Penny’s clothes last night had left him feeling sick, as though he’d betrayed her in some way. But he told himself it was just clothing, nothing more. Casey had taken the liberty of cutting them into a pair of short shorts. He didn’t want to look, but yet he couldn’t turn away either. Even with her tiny stature, her legs looked amazing.

The harder he tried to stop himself from checking her out, the more tempting the view was. Last night he’d been in no mood to appreciate her curves. This morning, he had a strong appetite, but not for whatever she planned on cooking.
Shit. Now is not the time, Nash. She’s leaving shortly, and you don’t want anything stopping that.

Watching as she beat eggs in a bowl and poured them into the cast iron pan, he heard her singing softly to herself.

“I am a conqueror, and I will not accept defeat. Try telling me no, and you’ll see that I don’t give up. I am a conqueror. Oh yeah, I am a conqueror . . .”

Derrick leaned against the door jamb and enjoyed how she swayed her hips to the song. Her voice was soft and sweet, but held a confidence as she sang.
What’s your challenge, Casey? What won’t you give up on?
As he continued to watch her he noticed her right leg still bothered her as she didn’t seem to be putting any weight on it.
I should apply more liniment before she goes.

It was
that
fact that brought him to the present. Anger filled him again.
She needs to go. Pronto!
She was not wanted or needed here. Pushing off the wall, he said, “The sheriff is coming by later, you can catch a ride into town with him.”

Casey spun around quickly, and because she was favoring her right leg, lost her balance. Derrick saw her try to grab for the counter, but she missed her mark and began to fall forward. She let out a high-pitched scream, but in two long strides he was there in front of her. He scooped her up into his arms. The more he tried to keep his hands off her, the more they seemed to find themselves doing otherwise.

He could feel her heart beating strongly against his chest. Was it pain . . . or was she enjoying being in his arms as much as he was enjoying having her there?
What? No. I don’t want her in my arms. I don’t want her anywhere near me.
She was biting her bottom lip, and he was tempted to kiss her, tell her it would be okay. Then he looked into her eyes and saw it wasn’t her injury bothering her. She wanted him as badly as he did her.
Damn. Don’t go there, Derrick. She’s leaving as soon as the sheriff gets here.

As if on cue, Derrick heard a knock on the door. Releasing his hold on her, letting her feet touch the floor, he left her alone in the kitchen and answered the door. He felt a pull in his gut. Surely that was relief he was feeling and not disappointment.

It was no surprise to find the sheriff at the door, but he had expected him to be accompanied by the guy from FEMA. “Morning, Sheriff.”

He walked in and took off his hat. “Morning, Derrick. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Jack? You’ve known me for years. I’m only the sheriff if you’re breaking the law, which I assume you’re not.” Then Jack looked past him and nodded. “Morning, ma’am.” In a low voice, he said, “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Derrick turned and looked behind him and found Casey standing there. Her cheeks were still flushed from their brief contact.
Or maybe it’s the pain she’s in.
Either way, he had to admit she’d gotten his blood pumping as well.
Thank God she’s leaving in a few minutes.

“No. Nothing at all,” Derrick answered. Then he turned to Casey. “Your ride to town is here. You can get breakfast there.”

She opened her mouth but said nothing. Instead, she limped her way over closer to the door. “Please call me, Casey. If you don’t mind, Sheriff, I would like to stop by my truck. My bags, purse, and laptop are all inside.”

“Was that your truck I passed in the ravine?” Jack asked. Casey nodded. “Well, then I think you might need to do some shopping because the ravine is almost fully flooded and you can barely see that truck now.”

“Oh no. Completely covered?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Everything I traveled with is in there. My purse, laptop, phone, and clothes. Do you think we can reach any of it? It was all on the front seat with me.”

Sherriff shook his head. “Sorry, miss, but after a few days of no rain Derrick should be able to pull the truck out. However, I would consider your belongings gone. If they weren’t ruined by the water, they probably washed away with the current.”

Casey ran her fingers through her dark hair, obviously frustrated. “Okay. Plan B.”

Whatever that plan was he hoped it didn’t include him. He could see she was distraught. For all he knew everything she owned could have been inside that truck.
Don’t look at me with those sweet brown eyes. I can’t help you.

“You wouldn’t happen to have more clothes I can borrow? I promise not to cut them up this time.”

What the hell, woman? Do you know what you’re asking me?
Although packed away, he still had Penny’s things. But that didn’t change the fact they were still Penny’s.
No. I won’t give you any more of her things. Hell, no.

Unlike him, Penny had been an amazing person who never would have refused to help another person. Derrick wasn’t as understanding and giving.
Of course, that is what cost me everything in the first place.

Derrick pulled out his wallet and handed a few hundred dollars to Casey.

She looked at the money then back to him with a puzzled look on her face. “What’s this for?”

“For whatever you need to hold you over until you get your replacement stuff,” he said flatly.

Casey put the money on the coffee table in front of him. “Thank you, but no thank you. I don’t want or need your money, Mr. Nash.” Turning back to Jack and ignoring Derrick, she said, “I’m ready to go when you are. I just need to get my things.”

He watched her limp toward the bathroom.
Surely you’re not taking your damaged clothes from last night.

Jack shook his head. “I really was hoping I was interrupting something, Derrick. It’s been five years. You can’t keep going on like this.”

Derrick clenched his fist. He and Jack might have grown up in the same town and been friends back then, but things had changed;
he
had changed. No one seemed to understand that. How could they? They had lost
things
 . . . but not their family.

Before he could tell Jack to get the hell out of his house, he headed for the door. When he reached the porch he turned and said, “When I find out where the guy from FEMA disappeared to, I’ll bring him by.”

“What guy?” Casey asked.

Jack answered. “We were expecting a man from FEMA to arrive yesterday, but he never showed up.”

“You’re looking for a man from FEMA?”

Derrick didn’t know why she looked so puzzled. Jack was being clear, yet she seemed confused.

“Yes, ma’am. Collins never made it to the High Hat, and no one has heard from him.”

Casey, holding her wet clothes in her arms, said smugly, “Well, you can stop looking.”