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

why?”
    “I only want to help her. She has nothing but this place.” Don would understand once he met her. It was impossible to explain over the phone.
    “So what do you want from me?”
    “I need you to fly out here and pretend you’re out of work and willing to do the job for room and board.”
    Don laughed. “Do I get a bed or am I sleeping in a tree somewhere?”
    “Just get here. This place is falling apart around her. She has the tools but nothing else. Oh, I need you to reach out to the hardware store and have them extend her credit. And by that I mean—”
    “Yeah, I know how this works, Mark. I will make sure all is quiet, and it won’t lead back to you. Anything else?”
    “I need you to find me a contact for the bank that holds her mortgage.”
    “How do you think you’re going to keep that one from her if they already gave her notice?”
    “Let me worry about that. So when are you going to get here?”
    “I can have my jet there tonight.”
    “Don, I don’t care if you fly by private jet, but remember, you’re broke.”
    Don laughed again. “Fine. I won’t shave today and might even skip a shower. Will that do?”
    “I really need your help, and we don’t want to scare her, so please, shower.” Before he disconnected the call, he said, “I really owe you, Don.”
    “Collins, if you get all mushy on me I’m not showing up. Now text the damn information to where the hell I’m going and any personal information you think I might need. I’ll see you tonight.”
    One down, one to go. He put the phone back in his pocket and went to meet Hannah. She was standing on the porch waiting for him.
    “Were you able to reach your friend?”
    She still looked worried. Since she had no clue what really was going on, she should be worried.
    “Yeah. He’s bumming a ride and will be here sometime late tonight.”
    “That’s wonderful. Did you make the list of what we need at the store?”
    If by list you mean the entire store, then yes. “What we don’t grab today, I’ll grab with Don tomorrow.”
    “I just want to make sure we only get what is absolutely necessary.”
    A construction crew and a miracle is what you absolutely need. But what you’ve got is me and the one man who can help me pull it off. “Don’t worry. I’m used to working with little. When we’re done, you’ll be shocked at what you see.” Just don’t ask too many questions on how exactly we pull it off. Lying is not something I enjoy doing, but if it’s necessary for safety, or in this case, a beautiful woman’s hope, I will.
    “Let’s get going.”
    Mark headed towards his Jeep.
    “Let’s take my car.”
    He raised a brow. “We’re picking up supplies that you might not want in your fancy convertible.”
    She looked at her Volkswagen then at his Jeep. “Good point. But then again, I don’t want to end up walking back because we break down either.” Hannah pulled her keys out of her purse waving them in the air as she hopped into the driver’s seat. “We can talk on the way, and you can tell me all about yourself.”
    That’s not going to happen. “I think I’d much rather hear about you and Savannah. I’ve never been here before. Why don’t you tell me about it?”
    He was good about making sure no one knew anything about him except those closest to him. Even then, they only knew what he was willing or able to share. Most of his life was top secret. Where he was and what he was doing never could be discussed. Not even his parents knew. It wasn’t always the easiest life, but it was the one he wanted, the one he chose.
    After they returned from the store, Mark installed the lock on her apartment door. Then a second one on her bedroom door. She looked at him like she was about to dispute that, but said nothing. Progress. Baby steps, but progress.
    Hannah had shown Mark a room for Don then went to bed early by his standards. He was glad she didn’t stay up waiting to meet him. He needed to discuss with