Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) by Jeannette Winters Read Free Book Online Page A

her than her pride. He could tell she put on one hell of a front that she was tough and independent, but he could see deep inside she was shaking and needed someone to lean on. He wanted to go to her, wrap his arms around her, and tell her she wasn’t alone. He was here. He’d help her with whatever she needed. But the truth was, he wasn’t that person. She could lean on him now, but once he got that call, she would find herself exactly where she was today. Alone.
    Think, Collins. Can’t call in the team for this. They need their R&R as much as I do. And if I get called so will they. I need someone I can trust totally. And a damn good plan so she doesn’t think this is charity. She needs to continue to think she’s the one in control.
    He knew exactly who that was. There was only one problem. Don was far from a guy in need of a handout. Bringing him here was going to require a long private talk and a lot of luck that he was between contracts.
    “I won’t let that happen, Hannah, but you might need to provide another room for a guy I know who is a bit down and out on his luck right now. But he knows his way around construction better than anyone I know.”
    Even from the back, he saw her wipe her cheeks before she turned to face him. “You think he’ll really be willing to help me?”
    For me, yes. “I would consider it more like you’re helping him.” The man needs to get out of the city for a while. Besides, it’s been way too long since we worked on a project. It’ll give us time to catch up.
    “I can only offer the same thing I’ve offered you.”
    Her beautiful green eyes, still glistening from the tears, were filled with hope. There was no way he was going to disappoint her. Soon as he got a minute alone, he was going to reach out to Don with the plan. He’s never let me down before. I know if I get the call, he’ll at least see this through without me.
    “Why don’t I meet you at my Jeep, and I’ll see if I can reach him.”
    She smiled and went to walk past him but stopped, and with her tiny soft hand touched his forearm. “Thank you, Mark. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t—”
    “Just doing my job.”
    She nodded and let go. “Thanks.” Then she left him alone in the empty apartment.
    The last thing he needed was her feeling endeared to him in any way. He wasn’t worried about his acting skills. God knows he’d used them so many times overseas that he’d lost count. It was easier playing whatever role he needed to, rather than being himself most times. Now he just had to make sure Don was up to the task as well.
    Once she was out of earshot, he pulled out his cell and dialed Farrell.
    “It’s been a while, Collins. Where you been hiding?”
    Don knew he could ask but wouldn’t be told. “Around. I’m actually calling for a favor.”
    “Looking for work? I thought you didn’t want to get behind a camera.”
    “Actually, I think it’s time you took a vacation.”
    “Hell yeah. Where are we off to? Rio? St Lucia? Dubai? Monte Carlo?”
    “Savannah, Georgia.”
    “Did they get a topless beach I haven’t heard about? ’Cause that doesn’t seem like my type of vacation,” Don said while laughing.
    “Plan on being without a shirt, because the air conditioner isn’t working here either.” Put update the electrical on the endless list.
    “Mark, what exactly is this favor? I think I’ve just become busy.”
    He knew Don was only joking. They’ve never said no to any request before unless it truly couldn’t happen. “There’s this woman Hannah Entwistle—”
    “Ah. Now you have my attention. Tell me more.”
    Don’t make it what it isn’t. “She is about to lose her family home if we can’t pull off a miracle and get it fixed up so she can rent the place by the end of the month.”
    “Why don’t you just give her the money or pay someone to do it?”
    “If I thought for one minute she’d accept it, I would.”
    “And you care about this