Southern Sass (Southern Desires Series Book 6) Read online

  “You have a reputation for making unlikely things happen.” Ryan was talking more about her matchmaking, but he felt if anyone could pull that off it was her.

  “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.” Sissie laughed.

  Her laughter went through him in a way he didn’t expect. Maybe it’s been so long since I’ve heard anyone laugh. There was no point in thinking about it since it wasn’t something he was planning to hear again. In a dull tone, he said, “So do we have a deal? You’ll take her under your roof and make sure nothing happens without me knowing about it?”

  “Heck yeah. With all these drunken cowboys around here, I can use some female company. Just tell me when to meet the jet, and I’ll take it from there.”

  Drunken cowboys! Yeah, that’s an entirely different set of problems for me to worry about. Shit! He’d kept Donna under watch for so long who knew what she’d do with her freedom again? He knew damn well how guys got when they drank. I was young once. And if they pull any of the shit that I did, someone’s getting their ass beat.

  “This might not be such a good idea.”

  “Don’t trust me?”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Listen here. You’re the one who called and asked me. If you don’t want me to do it, that’s fine with me. Maybe you should come and watch her yourself.”

  Ryan knew exactly why the saloon was called the Wild Sass. Sissie was sassy as hell. Yet, he was smart enough not to fall into her trap. “She should land around ten tonight. I expect to be kept up-to-date constantly. Understood?”

  “Gotcha. Nosey overprotective father wants me to rat out daughter so she has a miserable time.”

  “Miss Entwistle.”

  “Sissie.”

  “Sissie, this isn’t a joking matter. You have no idea what dangers there could be.”

  “I know more than you’d think. And you need to lighten up. You let me handle this. I’ll make sure she enjoys herself while keeping her safe. Trust me, I run a saloon and handle grown unruly men all the time. One young woman will be a piece of cake.”

  Ryan struggled not to laugh at Sissie’s assessment. You don’t know my daughter. Donna was pigheaded. No matter what Ryan suggested, her answer was no. Most times he’d have better luck talking to a brick wall.

  When the call ended, Ryan was seriously debating if he should get on that jet with Donna. She’d asked him to come; he could just pretend he’d changed his mind. She knows me better than that. I’m not known for being flexible or indecisive. It wasn’t going to be easy letting her walk out that door, but Ryan knew his daughter needed this. All he could do was trust Sissie to be his eyes and ears.

  Donna finally returned to the living room, but this time she was holding two large bags.

  “That’s a lot of luggage for just a couple of days.”

  Donna shrugged. “A girl has to be prepared for anything. You never know who’ll be there.”

  Those were not words he wanted to hear. “And what exactly does that mean?”

  She gave him a playful wink but didn’t answer. “I’m leaving; if you change your mind, just show up. There’s a great little hotel in town that always has rooms. I’ll either be there or at Casey’s house. If you come, I’ll take you to this bar that has the best barbeque you’ll ever eat, and Casey says the owner’s a riot. I’m hoping I get to meet her while I’m there.”

  I’m glad you feel that way. He walked over to her and kissed her on the forehead. “Have a good time.” No matter how much he tried to protect her, he wanted her happiness most of all. As she walked out of the room, his heart pounded. Everything was out of his control now, and that was something Ryan was not happy about. His life was all about being in control, not taken by surprise. Faith in a woman he barely knew went against his better judgment. But he had to use blind faith in this situation. Take care of her, Sissie. This girl is all I have.

  “I don’t know what all the fuss is about. The Wild Sass is the perfect place,” Sissie stated, tapping her cowboy boot on the wood floor of her saloon.

  Hannah Collins shook her head. “Not that I don’t like your bar, but it’s no place for a baby shower.” Her hand was waving in the air pointing to the décor.

  “Y’all think there is another place you can get Casey to show up and still be surprised?”

  Hannah chuckled. “Oh, she’d be surprised all right. I’m just not sure how the ‘It’s a girl’ decorations will go with your theme.”

  Sissie looked around her saloon. It suited the patrons’ needs. Dart boards, pool tables, and a dance floor. She’d never played hostess for a formal event. Fancy wasn’t her style. She liked to keep it real, keep it comfortable and welcoming. That’s exactly what the Wild Sass was. A place anyone could walk in, even after a day of rustling up cattle, and be themselves.

  Her conversation with Ryan echoed through her. He’d said she was known for pulling off what was unlikely. Having a surprise baby shower at the saloon and making it look classy enough for the entire guest list was definitely going to be a challenge. That didn’t mean it couldn’t be done. All it was going to take was some work and a heck of an imagination. And one thing I’ve got is an imagination.

  The wheels were already beginning to turn, and ideas were flooding her brain. I can do this. Not only could she, but she needed to. Things had been difficult this past year. She’d even taken a six-week break from running the saloon. Nothing seemed to snap her back to being herself. The small town of Honeywell had survived a devastating tornado, bringing them even closer. Yet she was privy to things beyond the town lines that disturbed her greatly. So much so that sleep didn’t come easily, and when it did, her sweet dreams were replaced with nightmares. Maybe this is what I need. Something to distract me. And now I have the perfect excuse for keeping Donna with me.

  Sissie gave her young cousin a beaming grin. “You just let me worry about the decorations.”

  Hannah didn’t look relieved as she scoped out the area again. She said with a sigh, “Okay. I’ll handle the food.”

  Sissie wanted to take the whole thing on herself. Too many hands in the pot is going to spoil the chili. She wasn’t about to admit that it was because she was a control freak. “Heck no. I’ll take care of that too.”

  Hannah shot her a look. “Sissie if you’re doing all that, then what exactly am I supposed to be doing?”

  Sissie put her hands on her hips and said, “Oh, you have the hard job.”

  “Get Casey to show up?”

  “Make sure she doesn’t have the baby before the shower, and then make sure she shows up.”

  Hannah burst out laughing. “I should’ve known better than to think you were letting me off easy.”

  “Damn straight. So let’s talk about who’s coming.”

  Hannah pulled a pen and notepad out of her purse and looked ready to take notes.

  “You do have a list right?”

  She smiled. “Well, I had one. I left it back home in Savannah. I told Mark to bring it, and somehow it wasn’t at the top of his priorities.”

  Sissie understood that. Hannah might not realize that having them all gathering together in one location was like putting a bull’s-eye on the town. Even though Mark tried to ease her concerns by beefing up security with some high-tech gizmos, she had a feeling Honeywell was never going to be normal again. I knew we weren’t going to be able to hide forever.

  “Men don’t pay attention to things like party details. You should be glad he agreed to accompany you.”

  “Since his parents are both coming, he really didn’t have a choice.”

  Sissie knew what that meant. Mark’s father, Greg, was wheelchair bound and on oxygen. The disease had progressed faster than any of them had thought it would. Although the travel would be difficult, having him there to see his daughter have her first child was going to be even more touching.

  Another reason why I need to take on doing everything. So the family can spend this time just lovin’ each other. No ma
tter how much time you have, it never seems enough. Sissie’s heart ached for Casey and the rest of the Collins family. If she could, she’d hug them all. What they needed was privacy. It wouldn’t be easy, actually something she normally didn’t do, but she’d show her love and support from a distance. I’ll be here when they need me.

  “We can pull that list together now. So your mother-in-law, Evelyn, will be coming, right?”

  Hannah nodded and added, “I asked Bailey if she’d like to come too.”

  “How is she doing? She and Don still going strong?”

  “You shouldn’t have to ask since you called that match before any of us.”

  Sissie chuckled. “I’m not a matchmaker, you know.”

  “Sure. You keep telling yourself that, but every couple you pick out seems to fall head over heels for each other.”

  “Like you and that sexy Mark Collins. Yup, I’ll take credit for that, thank you.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m the one who sent him to Savannah to work in your house. Of course, that was when I thought he was a construction contractor, not a Navy SEAL.”

  “Hey, he is pretty handy with power tools.”

  Sissie raised her hand. “Too much information.”

  Hannah looked at Sissie, blushed, and they both burst out laughing. “I’ve missed you, Sissie.”

  Sissie had to pull herself together. “Missed you too, Cuz. Now let’s get back to this list. I’m not sure Casey is going to last another week.”

  “She’s not due for three more weeks.”

  “Are you going to listen to the doctors or me?” Sissie arched a daring brow.

  Hannah put pen to paper and said, “Her friend, Donna Watson, said she’d be here and so did Marina.”

  “The women from town too. They won’t want to miss it. Casey was the one who helped them with all the FEMA paperwork after the tornado. Without her, the healing here would’ve taken so much longer. She might not have been born in Honeywell, but the town has adopted her as one of their own.”

  “I’m lucky to have married into such a wonderful family.”

  Sissie noticed a hint of sadness in her cousin’s eyes. She knew it had been difficult growing up without a mother. That’s why she’d had Hannah spend summers with her in Honeywell. Then when Hannah’s father also passed away, she’d hoped she would come and stay. But Hannah said Savannah was home. Now with Mark living there with her, she hoped that was still the case.

  “Casey’s not the only one. You’ve been coming here and staying with me since you could barely walk.”

  “I don’t know what I would’ve done without this place each summer. The only thing I’d have changed was to drop the temperature about twenty degrees. I have no idea how Casey does it. Being pregnant is bad enough, but in this heat, it must be murder.”

  “I went to visit them a few days ago, and that place feels like an icebox. I think a cold beer is warmer than their home.”

  “That won’t be good for business,” Hannah teased.

  “Don’t worry. With Derrick hovering over Casey all the time, the ranch hands can’t wait to get out of there. I see them more now than ever before. I practically have to call Jack to haul their butts out of here each night.”

  “How is Sherriff Bullard?”

  “Jack hired another deputy to help out.”

  Hannah looked concerned. “Has there been trouble?”

  “The population has increased a bit, and he can’t be everywhere all the time.” Sissie wasn’t going to inform her that the new deputy was one of Mark’s men. The only one in any kind of uniform. There was even a new bartender packing some serious heat.

  “Hopefully that means he can take some time off and do the traveling he talks about every time I see him.”

  “I’m sure that’s part of his plan.” Or not. Sissie looked at her watch and shot up out of her seat. She’d been so busy thinking about the shower she almost forgot about Donna. “I gotta go.”

  “Hot date?”

  Chuckling, she answered, “In this town? No. Donna is flying in and Ryan, her father, asked me to pick her up.” She hated how there was a slight hitch in her voice when she mentioned Ryan’s name. That man was . . . No. Don’t think about him in any way, Sissie.

  Hannah grabbed hold of her wrist as she tried to walk away. “Oh no you don’t. What is this about her father? I didn’t know you two knew each other. Is there something I should know?” She gave Sissie a playful wink.

  Oh, there’s a lot you should know, but trust me, it’s better that you don’t. “He’s just a friend, that’s all.” As soon as it left her lips, Sissie wanted to kick herself. There were so many other things she could’ve said that wouldn’t have implied a connection between her and Ryan.

  “Friend. Interesting. Very interesting. And what does your matchmaking skills say about this friend?”

  Sissie rolled her eyes. “That he is only a friend. Now give it a rest. I can’t be late or—”

  “Your boyfriend will be disappointed?” Hannah let go of Sissie and got up to leave too. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

  “Well, you better. There is nothing to tell, and I don’t want Donna thinking there is. Besides, I thought it would be nice to have her here to help me with the shower. It will give you guys the time alone at the ranch and her something to occupy her time.”

  “Sounds like the perfect plan. Yet, it seems to have your name written all over it.”

  “How did you get to be so sassy?”

  “Learned from the best. Well, I guess I better head back to the ranch then since I’m practically being kicked out. Let me know if something changes and you need my help.”

  “Will do, but you know I got this.”

  “Never doubted that for a second.”

  They parted ways, and Sissie hopped in her truck and flew down the main road. Jack was sitting in his patrol Jeep watching her as she sped by. She raised her hand giving him a wave, knowing very well she was exceeding the speed limit. He just shook his head but let it pass. Good thing ’cause I ain’t got no time for negotiatin’ my way out of a ticket with what type of pie you’ll get for free.

  The small airport was just a small plane, dirt landing strip. Private jets didn’t come by often, but there had been an increase in the past year. First it was Don Farrell and Mark and now Ryan Watson. We might need to step it up and actually pave this thing if the rich and famous are going to make a habit of showing up.

  Sissie parked her truck on the side of the road just as the jet touched down. There was no question whose it was since it wasn’t a crop duster. When it came to a stop, she pulled her truck up beside it.

  The door opened, and a well-dressed man in a black suit came out.

  “Hi. I’m here to pick up Donna Watson.”

  A brown-haired, mousy girl got off the plane. She was wearing dark rimmed glasses that didn’t fit her face at all. She seemed to have a shape, but under her bulky clothes Sissie couldn’t tell. There’s no way this is Ryan’s daughter.

  “I’m Donna, who are you?”

  Well, blow me over like a tumbleweed. “I’m Sissie Entwistle.”

  “Nice to meet you. How do you know who I am?” Donna asked with concern written all over her face. It was totally understandable.

  Not about to tell you the truth. What a way to start a friendship. Maybe a little white lie instead. “We ain’t known for such luxury jets landing here . . . unless you couldn’t tell by the bumpy landing. So I knew right away who you were.”

  Donna still stood on the top step making no move to come down. “And you just happened to be parked there doing what, watching the stars?”

  I like you. You’re a thinker. And you got spunk. Sissie forced a laughed. “Darlin’, it takes more than stars to get me . . . well, you get the point. I’m one of Casey’s closest friends here in Honeywell. You know darn well she’s all excited that you’re coming.”

  That seemed to have eased Donna’s mind a bit as she finall
y made her way down the stairs. The pilot offered to help with her luggage, but she ignored him. Yup, we’re gonna get along just fine.

  “Nothing was keeping me away.”

  Not even your father, though I’m sure he tried. “You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here.”

  “And why is that exactly?”

  And let the sweet talking begin. “Our friend Casey has no clue she’s going to have a baby shower, and I have no one to help me pull everything together. We can’t let her have just any ole thing. This has to be special, like her. So with you here now, I’m sure the two of us can put our minds together and do it Texan style.”

  That seemed to appeal to Donna as her entire demeanor changed. In a happy tone, she said, “Oh goodness. I’d love to help. Just let me know what I can do.”

  Sissie grinned. Gotcha. “Bless your heart. Well for starters, it would be so much easier if you’d stay with me at my apartment. It’d save so much time by not running back and forth. Who knows when one of us gets a brilliant idea, and we can show the other? What do you say?” Donna started to tense up again, and Sissie worried that she’d pushed too fast. “Her sister-in-law, Hannah, just left my apartment before I came here, and she was the one who suggested it. She said since Casey’s parents and all the family are staying at the ranch, things might get a bit . . . hectic there. You know, with her father being ill.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to make it easier on her. On them all.”

  Sissie saw Donna’s eyes glisten on the verge of tears. Something said it wasn’t just Greg’s illness that troubled her. She made a mental note to dig deeper into that later. For now, she needed to get Donna to agree to stay with her.

  “Then you see how staying with me helps all the way around. You help me with the party, and we can also take a little stress off the family.”

  Donna smiled and nodded. “I think that would be a great idea. The last thing I want is to be in the way.”

  Sissie reached out, grabbed one of the suitcases, and tossed it in the back of the pickup. Donna did the same with the second.

  “You won’t be at my place. I live by myself and could use some company.”