Southern Charm (Southern Desires Series Book 5) Read online

  McVeigh didn’t need any distraction at the moment. He’d been asked to come here for a reason, and it wasn’t to scope out what Maggie was doing. Of course, he was very surprised to see her here. If we have that coffee, I’m going to add that question to my list.

  Although Don was chatting up a storm about some building he was photographing, Wyatt had the distinct feeling he was purposely trying to detain him.

  He knew Don and Mark had been friends since childhood. How either of them knew Graham wasn’t yet clear. Wyatt wasn’t one to leave a question unanswered. “Sounds very interesting. So how do you know Maggie?”

  Normally he’d play the game as long as the other party wanted, but time was of the essence. He wanted to gain what he could from Don before Maggie returned. Especially with Collins around. I know more about him than he probably wants me to. Collins doesn’t know he’s the reason I’m here, and I’d like to keep it that way.

  “Casual acquaintance,” Don said, meeting Wyatt’s gaze.

  Don came off as a laid back guy, but once Wyatt asked about Maggie his demeanor changed. I think I need to dig deeper into your background, Farrell. You’re more complex than I was led to believe.

  His response made Wyatt want to have coffee alone with Maggie even more. The woman he’d known was strong and confident. Something had changed in her since he’d last seen her. It was as though the uniform wore her now instead of her wearing the uniform. When Collins came over, she followed him immediately without question. Another red flag.

  If Wyatt had known Maggie better, he might be able to get a clearer read on her now. The only thing he could tell for sure was she wasn’t comfortable around him. He’d told his brother he wasn’t needed on this assignment, but he realized that had changed. I need his personal input on this one. If anyone can get to Maggie, it’ll be Nate.

  Even before Maggie returned, he knew it was going to be a waste of time speaking with her now. He needed to get her alone, but Collins was hovering like a protector. Wyatt could tell Collins was trying to read him. He wasn’t about to give him anything to go on.

  “Seems you’re tied up at the moment. Why don’t we meet for coffee in the morning?” Wyatt noticed Maggie glance at Collins before replying. That only confirmed his suspicions.

  “Sounds good. Why don’t you give me your number and I’ll call?”

  Wyatt handed her a fake business card he used as a cover. There was no doubt in his mind Collins was going to be looking into him. He covered his tracks extremely well, but Collins was damn good at what he did too. He wasn’t someone Wyatt wanted as an adversary, but if it came down to it, he was ready to take him on. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  After she had taken the card, he walked away without another word. Once inside the waiting silver SUV, he called his brother.

  “What do you need?” Nate asked.

  There was only one reason they ever called on that line: business. “I need you to join me for coffee in the morning.”

  “Coffee?”

  “And be ready. Maggie Graham is joining us.”

  “I thought you were checking into what happened to Lionel Johnson.”

  “I am.”

  “Fuck. Is she involved?”

  Wyatt could hear Nate’s concern. They’d been close at one time. No one wanted to think someone they once loved had become corrupt. “Not sure.”

  “What has you concerned?”

  “She didn’t seem to know who I was.” It wasn’t much to go on, but his gut rarely was wrong.

  Nate chuckled. “I’m surprised you even remember her. It’s been almost seven years, Wyatt, and I was the one she was in love with, not you.”

  His kid brother was damn good in the field, but at times his sarcasm wasn’t appreciated. Today is one of those times. A damn good man died and, from what he’d learned about the incident, there was a leak in the ranks. The McVeighs had been hired to flush the mole out, and Wyatt was known to deliver what others couldn’t. Whoever is to blame will be brought to justice, even if it’s Maggie.

  He knew that wasn’t going to be easy on Nate. At one time Wyatt thought Maggie was the one for Nate. That all ended when she suddenly broke it off with no explanation. Maybe that’s why she was acting so weird. She’s afraid I’m going to bring up the past. She’d be correct if it were any other time. Right now all he was focused on was getting to the bottom of Johnson’s death.

  “I’ll text you where to meet us.”

  He hoped bringing Nate into the loop wasn’t a mistake. It could open up old wounds or worse, old feelings. Nate needs to think with his head, not his heart. Otherwise, he could be the next funeral I attend. There’s no fucking way I’m going to allow that to happen.

  Wyatt left nothing to chance. He trusted his brothers with his life, but he trusted himself more. Pulling away from the curb, he headed for the hotel. While waiting for the call from Maggie, which he knew wouldn’t come, he was going to do his own research on her. One way or another, we’re meeting in the morning, Miss Graham.

  Chapter Two

  When Randi left the cemetery, she headed directly for the hotel. If saying goodbye to Johnson hadn’t been stressful enough, seeing McVeigh had finished her off. The entire night her head pounded, and nothing she did alleviated it.

  Giving up on any sleep, she dragged herself from the bed, slipped on a pair of baggy sweats, and pulled out her laptop. She intended to stay in town a few days and do some sightseeing since this was her first trip to Hawaii. No matter how beautiful the place was, Randi felt an urgency to get out of there. Even though there’s nothing waiting for me back in Florida, it’s the closest thing I have to home.

  Florida was Maggie’s home, not hers. If she had her way, she’d be back in Virginia, sitting on her porch in her favorite rocking chair, reading a good book. It was the place she spent all her time when she wasn’t on assignment with Homeland Security. She’d thought being an agent for DHS was tough. It wasn’t anything compared to what she’d faced walking in Maggie’s shoes. Shoes, boots, and fatigues. Yeah, Maggie, you were one tough Marine. I can wear your shoes, but I’ll never fill them like you did.

  However, Randi didn’t have a job, a home, or a life to return to. She’d said goodbye to it all the day she declared herself dead. It was bad enough she’d lost her sister, but she’d also lost all her friends. She hadn’t thought about their heartache until sympathy cards arrived at Maggie’s. “Sorry to hear about the loss of your sister.” Several came with lengthy notes about times they’d spent with her. Randi had a life. Keyword: had. Now all I have are memories.

  What scared her the most was becoming complacent about living as Maggie. Years ago she’d struggled to maintain her sister’s image for even a few minutes. Now pretending to be Maggie was second nature. In some ways, it was easier to be Maggie than herself. I’ve become so good at fooling others I have to watch out that I don’t fool myself. Maggie can’t be my new normal. She shook off the thought. I must’ve been crazy to think for one minute I would be able to go back to my old life. Randi wasn’t even sure what normal was any longer. If I’m not the same person, why would I think anything else would be the same?

  It was settled; all there was left for her was being Maggie. As sick as it made her feel, she needed to return to Maggie’s home, her job, and her friends. This façade needed to continue for a bit longer. And maybe forever. But God, I hope not. It’s not fair to me, to Maggie, or to everyone who has been drawn into this tangled web of lies.

  Before worrying about the lies, she needed to change her flight and get off this island today. Florida might not be her first choice, but it sure as hell was better than having to face Wyatt again.

  Randi thought it’d take a few simple clicks then she could pack and leave. Unfortunately, the website said there were no seats available on any earlier flights. When she called the airlines directly, they confirmed what the website showed. She tried begging and pleading and even tried to use her active duty status, but received
the same answer. Refusing to give up, she tried a different airline, not caring if she had to pay double the cost. Still nothing. The travel agent informed her there was a huge convention ending that day, and she was lucky to have a flight at all this week. The airlines were overbooked and people were getting bumped or having their flights canceled. Great, now I need to worry about getting bumped off my flight in a few days, never mind finding an earlier one.

  Filled with frustration, she closed the laptop, got off the bed, grabbed her room key and headed down to the lobby. If I’m stuck here, it sure isn’t going to be without coffee.

  The lobby was practically empty. That was the first stroke of luck she’d had since she arrived. She stopped at the breakfast nook, poured herself a cup of coffee, and headed back to her room. She’d never enjoyed solitude before. Over the past few years, she’d begun to crave it.

  Randi entered the elevator and pressed the number to her floor. Her cell phone rang as the doors began to close. As she reached to pull it out of her pocket to check the caller ID, the coffee tipped forward, spilling the entire contents down the front of her sweatshirt. Really? Is there anything more that can go wrong?

  She should’ve been thankful not to have been burned by the hot liquid. Her clothes had absorbed most of it. Randi rode the elevator back to her floor but didn’t get off. With the lobby empty, she wasn’t going to waste time changing. I need the coffee more than a change of clothes.

  Pushing the button for the lobby, she started the process over. Normally she skipped breakfast, including coffee. Today she needed it desperately, and breakfast was not cooperating one bit.

  When the doors opened, she was glad to see the lobby was still empty. She tossed her empty Styrofoam coffee cup into the trash before looking at her phone. One missed call. Mark. She tried his number but it went directly to voice mail. I’m sure if it’s important, he’ll find me. Somehow he always does.

  There were times she questioned how Mark always knew what was going on with her. She wasn’t part of his team, but even then it made no sense for him to keep such close tabs on her. Someone having my back isn’t a bad thing, as long as it’s for the right reasons. Mark never had given her any indication that it was for anything other than her own wellbeing.

  Scurrying to the nook, she quickly poured another cup and was about to head right back up when she saw a Belgium waffle maker. Rumbling in her stomach reminded her she’d locked herself away in her room last night without eating dinner.

  Although there were many things Randi missed about being herself, being reclusive wasn’t one of them. Maggie had been the outgoing one. First to approach a stranger and strike up a conversation and first to make new friends. There was no way the real Maggie would’ve spent the night sitting in a hotel room. She’d have been out amongst the locals. Especially in a place as beautiful and friendly as Hawaii. Randi could force herself to do it, but not comfortably.

  Maggie had been relentless and teased her all the time that if she didn’t put herself out there she’d end up an old spinster. Growing up, Randi had ignored Maggie’s comments and stuck her nose back in a book. Maggie had said Randi should listen to her older sister. That always drove Randi crazy as Maggie was only three minutes older, but that hadn’t stopped Maggie from trying to play the big sister role.

  If it hadn’t been part of the job requirement to travel, Randi would’ve spent every night doing the same thing and not getting bored. Reading had been her escape. Now she couldn’t remember the last time she’d picked up a book and read for pleasure. I could’ve used the distraction last night instead of staring at the ceiling all night.

  She might not want to socialize with anyone, but she couldn’t spend another minute sitting in that room. Looking around, she noticed how cozy this place was. There were several tables where guests could sit to enjoy a bite to eat. That didn’t appeal to her, but she saw what did. There were glass sliding doors leading out to a patio with more tables and chairs. She noticed there were even rocking chairs outside. It was so inviting that she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sit and wait for the sunrise. From the look of the sky, that should happen shortly. The only good thing about being up so early, I get to enjoy this all by myself without any interruptions.

  Figuring she had a couple minutes before sunrise, Randi decided a waffle was worth the carbs. She could always go for a run later and burn it off. Laughing softly to herself, she poured the batter into the hot waffle iron. As soon as she closed the lid, she realized she’d used way too much batter. As the top pressed down harder the sticky batter began to ooze out the sides. Am I really this out of practice?

  Randi went to lift the lid so the mess didn’t go any farther. Like the rest of her morning, what started out as a small mishap became a disaster. The sleeve of her shirt caught on the handle and spun the waffle maker upside down with the lid up. The batter now wasn’t just oozing, but splattering all over the counter and the floor. “Oh shit!”

  Quickly, she reached out for the paper napkins trying to contain the spill. Thankfully she was able to clean it all up, so no one would ever be the wiser. Throwing the last of the paper towels into the trash, she picked up her coffee and took a sip only to find it was now cold. At this point, she didn’t care. Caffeine was all she was concerned about. Downing the contents she walked over to the trash can and tossed in the empty cup.

  She could see the sun just starting to rise through the glass door. Even that seemed to have lost its luster for her. Letting out a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagged in defeat. Randi had thought that once the person responsible for Maggie’s death had been dealt with, her life could go back to normal. Unfortunately, my life is a hot mess just like my morning has been. Probably worse.

  Never had she thought it could get worse, but the last twenty-four hours had proved differently. Over the years Randi had met up with many people from Maggie’s past. It had been a regular occurrence, as her sister was more popular than Randi had even guessed. Thankfully she’d been able to bluff her way through most conversations. When things got difficult, she used the excuse of deploying in the morning and needing to pack. No one ever questioned that line.

  As she watched the sun slowly creep up into the sky, the view hidden by darkness now became clear. That’s how she felt on the inside, a dark empty shell of who she used to be. She always knew she wasn’t Maggie, but now she didn’t feel like she was Randi either. Somehow through all this, she’d lost her own identity.

  Mark had made it very clear she couldn’t return to her old life. Although she hadn’t let him know, his statement didn’t come as a surprise. Not for the reasons he’d provided, but for one much deeper.

  When her sister had been murdered, a piece of Randi died with her. Searching for her killer had given her a purpose to go on. Being driven, even by something as horrible as searching for her killer, had seemed to keep Maggie alive. Actually, pretending to be her for six years seemed to have done that too.

  Meeting up with Wyatt yesterday had shaken her to the core. It wasn’t just that he’d approached her at the worst time possible but, as far as Randi knew, Wyatt was the one and only man Maggie had ever said she loved. Even then, Maggie hadn’t said much.

  For as outgoing as Maggie was, she could be tightlipped. Because Maggie hadn’t shared much about Wyatt, Randi knew it had been serious. Just one text, saying McVeigh was the one and she couldn’t picture her life without him.

  Randi had asked Maggie to send her a picture so she could check out this love of hers. Yet both Randi and Maggie hated to have their pictures taken so when Maggie said she didn’t have any, it came as no surprise. What did blow her mind was the one-eighty Maggie did a week later. In yet another text Maggie said she broke it off with McVeigh. When Randi asked, all Maggie would say was it was for his sake, nothing more.

  Randi had asked her point blank what was wrong. Obviously it was breaking Maggie’s heart, but it was a subject she wouldn’t discuss. She’d spent sleepless nights worrying about her si
ster. When Randi received a package with an untraceable burn phone inside, her fears escalated. There was only one number stored inside. The number to Maggie’s burn phone! Obviously meant for only us to use to communicate.

  That was the beginning of what would become the most painful time of her life. And now I have to face the one man you loved and pretend to be you. Only to break his heart a second time.

  She wished Wyatt was a jerk. It’d make it so much easier. But Maggie wouldn’t have loved him, given him up to protect him, if he was. Randi could tell even from the brief encounter that he was different from anyone she’d met before. Wyatt carried himself with a confident manner that was sexy as hell. It didn’t hurt that he also was tall, dark, and handsome. There was only one thing wrong. He was Maggie’s.

  Randi might not be as attuned to reading people as Mark was, but she’d still felt a mix of emotions from Wyatt as he’d looked at her. He didn’t seem surprised to see her even though they hadn’t seen each other in six years. He did hug me, but it wasn’t the type of hug I would’ve expected from an old lover. More like . . . a kid sister hug.

  She was trying not to read too much into it because it was a one-time, chance meeting. His feelings, or lack of them, should mean nothing to her. Somehow that troubled her. Randi didn’t want him to be in pain and suffering, yet she would’ve liked him to have more feelings than he’d expressed. I should be happy he wasn’t irate or bitter about the breakup. Maybe he didn’t love Maggie as much as she’d loved him.

  Randi knew that’s what kept her up all night. People who actually thought Maggie was alive and well meant Randi was left alone to mourn. It’s a weight I carry and I wish there was someone else who knew what I was going through. Someone else who missed her laughter, her smile, and her endless chatter.