Southern Secrets Read online

  Southern Secrets

  Book Two of the Southern Series

  By Shelley L. Stringer

  Copyright 2014 by Shelley L. Stringer

  ISBN

  This is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locals in this novel are either a product of the author’s imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter One

  I could feel all my hopes and dreams coming true in one moment in time. In the time it took to say “but we’re going to need two cribs,” I knew I’d changed both our lives forever.

  Banton sat quietly, stunned into silence. We were sharing a quiet moment together, separate from the boisterous family gathering downstairs celebrating our upcoming nuptials.

  “Say something.” I searched my handsome fiancée’s face, reveling once again in his dark hair, chiseled features and beautiful brown eyes. I was thinking I had finally scared him to death. It was just too much for him to take in. He was always in control, my emotional superior in every way…until now.

  “I didn’t think after everything else, I could possibly be any more blown away. I was wrong.” He shook his head, and then looked back up at me, whispering, “Twins?”

  “Yeah…when you do something, you do it right.” I finally had my moment, where I got to break the big news. “The other day at my appointment, they had to take a good look. I was fully hydrated and they had me drink a load of water. Dr. Lane explained a full bladder acts as a sort of window. They were able to see both babies this time.” I beamed up at him, savoring the moment.

  “I can’t believe you kept this from me for almost a week! Two babies? We’re going to have twins?” His face finally broke into his signature Banton grin, setting his dimple off. He placed his hands around my chin and cupped my face, drawing me into his lips, letting me know how happy he was about the news. Kissing me hungrily, he wound his fingers into my hair.

  He pulled away, slowly searching my eyes.

  “It’s one of the reasons they have me on bed rest. Two complicates everything. I’m going to be huge!”

  “Andie, come on. Quit worrying about gaining weight,” he admonished playfully, hugging me close.

  Aunt Sue came around the corner looking for us, and then glanced up the staircase. “Oh, there you are. We were wondering where you two were. We’d better be heading home. I’ll call you tomorrow, dear, about final details and when everyone is to be at the church.”

  I rose for Banton to accompany me down the staircase, holding on to my elbow protectively. All of our engagement dinner guests followed Aunt Sue and Uncle Lon’s lead, and we were saying our goodbyes. As Uncle Lon opened the door, my cousin Constance, who could always be counted on for a little southern belle drama, fell backwards into the foyer wrapped around Ty, one of Banton’s Navy SEAL brothers.

  “Uh..hum. Sorry, we were just…” Ty stuttered, looking up into Uncle Lon’s disapproving glare.

  “Yes, you were just…” Uncle Lon raised an eyebrow.

  “Showing Constance how a Navy SEAL does mouth-to-mouth,” Drew added, bounding around the corner. Everyone snickered.

  Everett came into the foyer and flamboyantly clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention, taking center stage like the diva he was. “People, it is now officially forty-four hours until the wedding, and I am taking charge. Please be at the church exactly one hour before, and we will have all the uniforms and dresses pressed and ready to go. You all have our cell numbers, and Philippe and I will be there ready to help you all.”

  “Okay, Fruit-Loop, we’ve got it. We’ll be there.” John assured him, placing his arm around Everett’s shoulder.

  The house emptied of all of our guests slowly. Banton and I sank down on the sofa in the living room to enjoy the last of the fire in the fireplace. As the embers popped and crackled and the last of the logs fell into ashes, I pulled my feet up under me, snuggling against his side. We could hear the caterer and her clean-up crew finishing in the kitchen.

  “What time is your appointment tomorrow morning with Dr. Lane?” He asked, playing with the fur on the collar of my sweater.

  “Ten o’clock.”

  “I’m coming with you. I’ve already talked to Dr. Renault about the dreams. He was supposed to talk to Dr. Lane, and be there for your appointment.”

  “I don’t know what they can do, Banton.” I shuddered, thinking about the Orco attacking in my dreams…um, nightmares…for the first time since the wedding festivities had started.

  “There has to be a way to fight him. There just has to be!” His voice was angry now. I turned in his arms to face him.

  “Please, don’t get frustrated. I was thinking earlier, while you were talking with Everett, I haven’t done any research on dreams. I think I’ll get online and see what I can find. We have a lot of research to do, yet.”

  “You’ve been through so much, baby. You’ve been caught in this battle between the Orcos and the SEALs, abducted and attacked, bitten and transformed into a half-breed while you’re pregnant. I just want you to be able to relax, to be able to make this the honeymoon of your dreams,” he declared, holding my face firmly in his hands.

  “It will be. I don’t have any pre-conceived notions, except being with you. That’s what I’m nervous about, what the doctor tells us tomorrow.” My stomach dropped, just thinking about not being able to be intimate with Banton on our honeymoon. My pregnancy was still in the danger phase, my body battling the change I’d just been through.

  “Let’s just get you through the next two days, and make you my wife. Everything else will fall into place, I promise.” He pulled my face in, caressing my lips with his, sliding his hands down my arms and then around under my sweater. Quickly rising with me in his arms, he rounded the bottom of the stairs and took them two at a time.

  * * *

  At nine forty-five the next morning, I sat patiently in Dr. Lane’s waiting room while Banton paced back and forth resembling a caged animal. Dr. Lane appeared and motioned us back to an examination room, where Dr. Renault and a nurse joined us.

  “Doc, we have to find an answer to the physical attacks in her d
reams. This is getting out of control!” Banton had worked himself into an agitated state while we waited. I rubbed his arm, trying to calm him down.

  “We’ll address one issue at a time. Dr. Renault wants to talk with you, while I give Chandler her check-up. Then we’ll all meet afterward.”

  Banton seemed reluctant to leave me. I rose on my toes to kiss him and assured him I would be fine. After a routine examination and another sonogram, I joined him in Dr. Lane’s private office. He rose and crossed the room to me, folding me in his arms protectively. He pulled away and his eyes questioned mine as he tucked a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. When Dr. Renault entered a few moments later, Banton led me to a small sofa and pulled me down beside him.

  Dr. Lane began. “Everything seems fine. As I told you before, there is a slight tear in the placenta, but it hasn’t gotten any worse. The babies have strong heartbeats and everything is on course. We will set your due date for August fifteenth. Depending on how big the babies get, we may take them earlier.”

  “Doc, what about bed rest? Does she still need to take it easy?” Banton asked, squeezing my hand.

  “We think you can resume everyday activities with caution. Don’t overdo and don’t run any marathons. Just be cautious and at the first sign of any trouble call one of us.”

  They still hadn’t answered my question, so I spoke up.

  “And the honeymoon?” I blushed.

  Dr. Renault chuckled. “We think you are all right there, too. Just take intimacy and physical activity slow and easy.”

  I let out a slow breath, and Banton grinned at me as he placed a kiss on my forehead. He drew back, and then turned his attention to Dr. Renault. “What have you found out about the dreams?”

  “I’ve been in contact with several colleagues, medical and otherwise. There have been rumors about this sort of occurrence, but no one I can find has any first-hand knowledge of a Tariq.”

  “What did you call it? A Tariq?” Banton asked, leaning forward.

  “That is what some of the older Aldon think he is. This Orco you killed, Chandler’s attacker, transformed in death. The evil still lives on in the form of a Tariq, or night visitor. He still stalks her in her dreams, if that is what is happening.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, puzzled at his comment.

  Dr. Lane spoke up, leaning back in his chair. “Chandler, sometimes, people have such vivid dreams they react violently, harming themselves. Are you sure you didn’t bruise your own arms, or…”

  Banton rose out of his chair, his fury evident. “She absolutely did not harm herself. I woke her myself on more than one occasion. And I smelled him in our room, smelled the things she was dreaming of – I’m convinced it isn’t just in her head!”

  Dr. Lane rose and came around his desk to place his hand on Banton’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. I believe you both. Quite frankly, we are at a loss, but there are some techniques we can try.”

  “Such as?” Banton asked, exasperated.

  “I have a book on dreams I want Chandler to read. There are things you can do to program yourself to get control of your dreams. I’m not saying it is the answer, but it can’t hurt.” Dr. Lane replied.

  Dr. Renault spoke up. “Until we figure this out, you need to always be with her when she sleeps. No napping or sleeping by herself. You should be able to wake her if her dreams are getting out of control.”

  “I’m already on it,” he assured them forcefully. “What else?”

  “There is one more idea,” Dr. Renault spoke to Banton directly. “My friends in the voodoo religion tell me there is a dream-like state or trance one can enter, placing one in the spirit world. You’re a half-breed now, and you’re on an equal playing field with the Orcos. You’re just now beginning to explore all of your potential physically. There are mental techniques you may be able to use to enter Chandler’s dreams and help her fight him.”

  “What?” Banton shot him a look, placing his arm protectively around my shoulders.

  “This Tariq entering her dreams has a connection to her since he bit her and transformed her. But his connection is nothing compared to your connection to her. Keep yourself open to all possibilities, and we will keep searching. If we come up with anything further we will call you.” Dr. Renault patted me on the shoulder as we rose and left the room.

  Banton was silent on the way back to our house, seeming to be lost in his own thoughts.

  “Sweetheart?” I asked softly.

  “Hmm? What is it?” He turned to look at me and then glanced back at the traffic ahead.

  “Don’t let this spoil this special time. You can’t control everything. We will figure the dreams out together. In the meantime we have some plans to make. Are you going to tell me where we are going on our honeymoon? I have to pack, you know.”

  “First of all, I’m not going to let anything spoil our wedding day, or our wedding night. Second, Everett and I have everything all planned, he is going to pack your bags for you so you don’t have to worry about a thing.” He smiled smugly, leaning over and pulling me closer to him.

  “I should have known. You two don’t play fair!” I crossed my arms and glared at him as he chuckled.

  “Looks as if Everett’s already here to run the show,” he commented, turning into the driveway.

  Everett met us at the door. “How did everything go? Are we all ready for the big day?” He asked, holding his hands out to us both to draw us into a big group hug.

  “All set. Everything is on go. I just wish they were a little more knowledgeable about the dream intruder,” Banton commented wistfully as we entered the hallway.

  “Well, let’s have some lunch, wrap up some last minute details, and I will help Andie pack her bags for tomorrow. Bebe, you have a spa appointment at four, and I want Banton out of the house before we get back. No seeing the bride before the wedding.”

  “No way!” Banton exploded, drawing me into his side. “I’m not leaving her alone to sleep for one second,” he almost yelled at Everett.

  “Whoa, Cowboy, down! Do you think I’d let anything happen to Ma Petit? I have a few tricks of my own, you know. I can sense the minute she feels threatened, and I will wake her, I promise. I will sleep on the mattress beside her bed, just as I did while you were recuperating in the hospital.”

  “I don’t think so. You’re not sleeping in the room with her.” Banton had the funniest look on his face that I had to suppress a giggle.

  “Oh, come on. It’s me, remember? Her fairy godmother,” Everett quipped, examining a nail. I couldn’t contain it any longer; I had to giggle out loud.

  “I guess you’re right. But I’m not leaving the house. I’ll sleep in my old room. I’ll be next door if you need me.” He bent to kiss me on the lips, forgetting about Everett.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake, get a hold of yourselves. I’m starving, let’s eat!” Everett shook his hands up over his head as we followed him down the hallway. Upon entering the kitchen, the most wonderful aroma met us at the doorway.

  “What is all of this?” I asked, glancing around the cabinets. There were croissants, quiche, salads, cream puffs, and an assortment of meats and cheeses.

  “Astrid has been cooking away for days, and she sent some samples of the reception food over for you to graze on today. She knew there would be people around and eating at all hours. She said she would send someone over to clean up this evening, for you not to lift a finger.”

  “Oh, Everett, your friends have been so good to us. How can I ever thank you?” I pulled him into my arms and kissed his cheek. He returned my hug warmly.

  “Just promise me you’ll fill me in on all the juicy details when you get back from the honeymoon. I live vicariously through you, you know.” He winked at Banton, and then left to go up to my room to begin packing my bags.

  We grazed on all the delectable treats in the kitchen, and I noticed both of us gravitated to the meats. The doctor was right; I definitely craved rarer meats and protein sinc
e the transformation. After we’d eaten, we made our way back down the hallway, and then up the staircase to my room.

  Everett met us halfway up, mumbling to himself as he hurried down to the foyer. “Don’t worry, technical difficulties at the church. I’ll be back to get you at four, remember, Bebe?”

  “I’ll be ready,” I assured him. Banton swung me up into his arms, rushing the rest of the way into our room.

  “Alone, finally. I thought he’d never leave,” he mumbled against my neck. He laid me down gently on the bed and lowered himself beside me. Kissing him hungrily, I let myself feel all of the pent-up emotions I’d guarded since we’d had to avoid intimacy. His passion matched my own, his tongue invaded my mouth, tangling with my own, exploring as his hands slid down my body. He caressed my sides, running his hands down past my breasts to the curve of my hips, grasping the hem of my sweater and sliding it up over my head. His mouth slowly trailed kisses down my neck and across my chest, his fingers tracing the outline of my bra and then removing the straps. Then he reached down between us, and methodically slid the tights I wore down my legs, brushing my bare skin with his fingers.

  I sighed, and couldn’t believe what I was about to say.

  “Banton?”

  “Mmmm…what?” he muttered against my neck. I felt his lips curl into a smile.

  “Please, stop. I want to wait.”

  “You want to…what?” he pulled away and looked at me.

  “I know this sounds silly, but we’ve waited this long. I want to wait till tomorrow night. Our wedding night.”

  “Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you, but the rabbit died. That’s kind of a moot point, don’t you think?” he asked disbelievingly, running his hand through his hair.

  I sat up abruptly. I couldn’t believe he would make such a crass remark. My eyes filled with tears, and I turned away from him, embarrassed. I knew I was being silly and overly emotional, but I just wanted everything to be special. I couldn’t explain it to him.

  I was filled with frustration and hurt, my pregnancy hormones running wild. I pulled the straps back up on my bra, and grabbed my sweater as I swung my legs back over the side of the bed.