Southern Hearts Read online

  Southern Hearts

  Jeannette Winters

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2018.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design by Cover Design by www.MLDgraphics.com

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Author Contact

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  About the Author

  By Jeannette Winters

  Author Contact

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  Southern Hearts

  McLean enjoyed the solitude lifestyle as a ranch foreman. The only thing he had to worry about taming was the new horse added to the fold.

  * * *

  Donna had given up trying to be who she genuinely wanted to be a long time ago. Having a billionaire for a father, came with a price. Her dreams. Was a small town called Honeywell about to change all that?

  * * *

  The last thing McLean wanted was anyone invading his space. But when he learns Donna will be staying with him on the ranch, he's both excited and terrified, and he finds she might be more than he can handle. When the dust settles, will what brought them together, be what keeps them apart? Or will this spicy filly be the one who finally tames him?

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my friends Charlene and David Craig. Not only do you both look great on this cover, but what a wonderful time we’ve had pulling it all together. HUGS

  Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, E.L. King and Marion Arche, my editors you are all amazing

  * * *

  Thank you to my graphic designer. www.MLDgraphics.com

  * * *

  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  Synchronized Series

  Hate to say goodbye to your favorite characters? The perfect solution is a Synchronized Series! One world. Three authors. Character cross-over. Triple the amount of books. Binge reading at it’s best. Each author’s books are full stories you can enjoy individually! But putting them all together weaves an even more pleasurable reading experience.

  * * *

  Chapter 1

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Boyer McLean barked.

  “Don’t think this has anything to do with me. My wife insists you need to rest or your shoulder won’t heal right.” Derrick Nash snorted. “She’s even trying to get me to do your job, so you won’t overdo it.”

  McLean laughed. “Now that I’d like to see. Even with one arm down, I can round up those broncos faster than you.” As McLean spoke, his shoulder throbbed from overworking it. He sure as hell wasn’t going to let his boss know that, but anyone could figure it out by doing the math. A gunshot to the shoulder takes more than two months to heal. “You tell Casey not to worry. The ranch will be fine. The only thing she needs to worry about is her family.”

  He could tell by the expression on Derrick’s face that something wasn’t right. He’d spoken to Casey a few hours earlier as she was rocking the baby on the porch and things seemed to be good. But he knew Casey’s father, Greg, had a rough visit last time they were at the ranch. No one had to tell him it wasn’t going to be long before her dad lost his battle with ALS. He wanted to ask, but he’d learned over the years that Derrick wasn’t one who shared personal information.

  “That’s why I’m here. Casey and I have to go to Savannah, and we need you to take care of things while we’re gone.”

  The fact they were going to Savannah told him all he needed to know. Casey’s parents were staying with her brother Mark Collins and his wife, Hannah. They had told everyone it was because they didn’t want to face another winter in upstate New York. McLean had been there when they’d had to rush Greg to the hospital after a fall. The reason they were in Savannah was because the Collinses needed help. If Casey hadn’t just had a baby, her parents probably would’ve stayed in Honeywell. Can’t beat Texas living.

  Unlike Derrick or Casey, McLean was born and raised in Honeywell. If he had his way, it was where he’d die too. Thankfully the bastards who shot him hadn’t fulfilled that wish, but they’d come damn close. The doctors said another inch and he wouldn’t be on this side of the dirt.

  He figured it was his injury that concerned Derrick because it sure as hell wasn’t the first time Derrick had left him in charge of the ranch. As foreman he ran it and only went to Derrick for serious issues that came up. And that was only recently. Before Casey came into Derrick’s life, Derrick hardly showed his face there. If it weren’t for Casey, McLean would’ve preferred the old way. It had nothing to do with Derrick’s concern for the horses.

  McLean hadn’t seen any of the heavily armed security forces lingering around the ranch for a while. From what he’d been informed, the threat had been eliminated. Damn, I hope that’s the case.

  They’d lost a sheriff who’d been a close friend to everyone in town. Honeywell had no idea what had really taken place; all he could do was hope there wasn’t going to be a round two. No matter what anyone said, McLean wasn’t taking any chances and even slept with his gun under his pillow. I’m not gonna get ambushed twice. McLean needed to know exactly what they were facing. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “We’re not taking Evie with us.”

  McLean almost choked on his beer. “You’re not expecting me to babysit are you?” He’d delivered more foals than he could remember but had never changed a baby’s diaper, never mind been responsible for one.

  Derrick arched a brow. “Hell no! Do you think I’ve lost my mind?”

  “Lately nothing would surprise me. So who’s watching your baby?” McLean figured it would be Sissie Entwistle because she was one of Casey’s best friends.

  “Donna Watson will be staying at the main house, caring for Evie.”

  Donna. She’d caught his attention the moment he’d met her a few months back. Her dark hair and deep eyes drew him right in. And her personality outshone everyone else’s in town. Maybe because she wasn’t from Honeywell. She was different from everyone he’d ever met. He’d intended to get to know her better, but that had ended when he was shot. Her father had hurried her out of Honeywell faster than he could say howdy darling, and he’d never heard from her since.

  He’d picked up the phone a few times to call her but had never hit send. He’d hit a dead end once McLean found out who her daddy was. One look from him at the Wild Sass Saloon said it all. She was hands off.

  Donna hadn’t come off as a daughter of a billionaire, but her looks had been deceiving. And for a ranch hand, he knew better than to go there. It wouldn’t end well.

  “Is she bringing her nanny with her?” McLean meant to
keep that snide remark to himself. Tact wasn’t his strong point, but then again tact wasn’t needed on the ranch.

  “You don’t trust her?” Derrick asked with his arms crossed.

  He knew he’d opened a can of worms. How was he going to explain that he thought she was stunning and funny, and he’d like to date her, but she didn’t strike him as mother material? Of course, I ain’t father material either.

  “That’s not what I meant. She’d never do anything to hurt anyone. It’s just that . . . I thought maybe you’d hire someone with more . . . experience.”

  “Good because she’s arriving in a few hours, and I expect you to be ready to help her in any way she needs.”

  Oh, joy. He’d hoped to keep as much distance between himself and Donna as possible. Being at her beck and call didn’t appeal to him. “How long are you going to be gone?”

  “We’ll know more when we get there.”

  McLean felt like an ass. He needed to remember why Derrick and Casey were heading to Savannah. This wasn’t a vacation getaway. He patted Derrick on the back and said, “You just take care of your wife. Donna and I will handle everything here.”

  Derrick nodded and headed toward the house. McLean headed back to the barn to put his horse away. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bubba leaning against the fence. He didn’t need to wonder if their conversation had been overheard.

  “Get that smile off your face, Bubba.”

  “Just looking forward to something other than your ugly mug to look at.” Bubba laughed.

  McLean ignored his remark. “There’s a fence on the east side that has your name on it. Fix it.” Bubba laughed again. “And when you’re done with that, you can patrol the entire fence for any other repairs needed.”

  He knew that would take days, and he didn’t care. The last thing he needed was Bubba hanging about, ogling Donna. It was going to be hard enough to stay away from Donna as it was; running interference was going to make it impossible.

  You’re not hearing what I’m saying! Donna paced the floor of the Wild Sass nervously. Sissie normally picked up on people’s emotional state much better. Was she purposely ignoring her cry for help? That wasn’t like Sissie. Donna thought Sissie was the one person who would understand her dilemma. Until now, she’d been in her court for everything. Maybe this time she was wrong. “What makes you think I can do this?”

  Sissie leaned back in her chair and said, “I left you in charge of my saloon, and look how good that turned out.”

  Donna spun around and said, “Really? You’re going to compare watching the Wild Sass with a newborn baby?”

  Sissie laughed. “Heck no. Babies are much easier than twenty drunken ranch hands on payday.” Before Donna could utter a comeback, Sissie raised her hand and asked, “What are you afraid of?”

  Donna walked over and sat across from her. She saw the same look she’d gotten from everyone else. They all looked at her like she had a clue what to do. Stepping in and babysitting little Evie while Casey and Derrick spent some time with Greg was a noble act, just not a wise one. Instead of everyone commending her for knowing her limitations, they were knocking her lack of confidence in herself. There was only one way she was going to get Sissie to side with her, and that was by telling her the truth. Babies scare me. It sounded pathetic coming from a woman.

  There was a list a mile long of what she was afraid of, but it was easily summed up in a few words: “Doing something wrong.”

  Sissie reached out and patted Donna’s hand. “You can’t be focused on what you’re gonna do wrong. Think about what you’re gonna do right. And if you’re stuck, your dad and me are only a phone call away.”

  Donna didn’t think Sissie meant changing diapers and getting bottles ready as being stuck. But the truth was, she’d never held a baby until Casey handed her Evie a few days after she was born. Donna may have done too good of a job hiding that it’d scared the heck out of her, but all she recalled from that moment was seeing how tiny those fingers were as they wrapped around her pinky.

  “Sissie, I know this is crazy, but I don’t have the foggiest idea what to do with a baby.”

  She arched a brow at Donna and said, “You have all you need within you.”

  “I have a bundle of nerves, and that’s all.”

  Sissie laughed again. “I remember when I first saw you. How your looks didn’t portray the person you were inside. Stop trying to be what you think you’re supposed to be.”

  “And what is that exactly?” Donna snipped.

  Smiling, Sissie replied, “Perfect.”

  Oh, I’m not close to perfection. If anything she was filled with doubts and insecurities. Maybe she’d learned to hide them better than others. “I’m not per—”

  “Exactly. No one is. But you’re trying to be.”

  “Aren’t we supposed to strive to be perfect?” Donna asked. Her entire life she’d sought for that in her work as well as her personal life. Not that I succeeded at either.

  Sissie shook her head. “That’s a mistake so many people make. Y’all should be working on being happy. The rest falls into place. Now quit worrying and do what comes naturally.”

  “Naturally? You make it seem like—”

  Sissie got up from her chair and said, “It is. Now stop thinking and just enjoy. Trust me, with all the love you have in your heart, you’re gonna do great.”

  Before Donna could respond, Sissie was off to the bar to serve her impatient patrons. They weren’t the only ones in need of a drink at the moment.

  She appreciated Sissie’s little pep talk, but Sissie seemed to have forgotten how Donna’s day had gone thus far. She wasn’t normally a klutz, but since Casey had called early that morning and practically begged her to watch Evie, she’d broken almost a dozen beer mugs. Sissie made a few teasing remarks about her having butterfingers, but by the fourth broken mug, she didn’t blink an eye as they crashed to the floor. That wasn’t how Donna felt. Each one upped her anxiety level. There was no way she should be in charge of another human being, never mind one so defenseless. Evie was so fragile and Donna . . . so inexperienced. She’d never forgive herself if anything happened to Evie.

  If she thought talking to her father would do any good, she’d have reached out to him first. But Ryan was not a viable option. Donna had to admit she was grateful they were close again, but right now she would like him to be a bit more objective. Telling him so might cause a setback she wasn’t willing to risk. It’d been too long, and she’d almost given up hope they’d regain the closeness they’d lost many years ago.

  Donna watched Sissie settle a dispute between two ranch hands who were getting a bit overzealous at the bar. Sissie never ceased to amaze her. She was a master when it came to handling people’s emotions. What could’ve easily turned into a barroom brawl was quickly settled by Sissie pouring them each a fresh cold beer. It was as though she could sense things and defuse issues before they escalated. Donna probably would’ve kicked them both out, but Sissie tackled the impossible and saw the best in people, bringing them together. God knows she’s had her work cut out for her with my dad and me. Not sure you can find two more stubborn people than us.

  That was a Watson trait. Once they had something set in their mind, your odds were better at winning the lottery than changing their minds. When Dad found Sissie he hit the jackpot, but I have no clue what she gets out of it.

  Donna would understand if Sissie left Honeywell and followed her father. She could have a life of luxury and be catered to endlessly. But Sissie didn’t give a hoot about her father’s money. When Donna asked her about it, she said she already had everything she needed to be happy. At first, Donna thought she meant owning the Wild Sass, but she came to learn it meant much more. It was a sense of belonging. That’s what Honeywell was to Sissie. Donna wished she had such a feeling.

  Although she’d connected with some people in Honeywell, it wasn’t the same as what Sissie had. No matter how she tried, Donna felt like an outsider. Th
at’s because I am. She wished she could find what Sissie had. Belonging.

  It’d been hard making true friends growing up in one of the richest families in the US. Most never took the time to know the real Donna. All they wanted was Donna, Ryan Watson’s daughter. That was why she’d left home and started a life of her own when she was only eighteen. Twelve years ago Donna had wanted to make her own mark on life.

  She probably would still be in the shadow of her father if she’d never met Sissie and Casey. It had been a big risk, and she’d had plenty of doubts if she could make it. But she had. That must be what Sissie saw in her. The will to not give up. So why am I? I’ve never backed down from a challenge. This favor shouldn’t be any different.

  Derrick and Casey were protective parents. If they had faith in her, maybe it was time to put on her big girl panties and do what was being asked.

  As she stood to go upstairs to pack, a familiar face came through the door. McLean normally didn’t come in until Friday night. She hoped everything was okay at the ranch. She went right up to him and asked, “Did something happen?” Her heart pounded as she tried to rein in her panic.

  McLean took off his black cowboy hat and replied, “You could say that.”

  Her mind raced, and she worried that Casey’s father had passed away before they could get to him. Donna reached out and gripped his forearm. “What is it?”

  McLean arched a brow and looked at her hand holding his arm. While shooting her a suggestive grin, he said, “Looks like we’re about to play house for a week.”