Southern Spirits (The Southern Series Book 3) Read online

  “They’re just full of surprises, huh?”

  “I’d better hit the hay. Remember, I’m going to Denham Springs for the week? Momma and I are helping with my friend’s wedding.”

  “Yes, I remember. I’ll be fine here. I have the two mother hens downstairs to look after me. Just go and have fun,” I urged her.

  “I will. Maybe the guys will be back soon after I get back.”

  “Let’s hope so,” I replied, crossing my fingers.

  * * *

  Banton’s other project, the swimming pool, began when the contractor and designer showed up a couple of mornings later. It was as if Banton had scripted it. It made me a nervous wreck to make decisions of this magnitude without Banton there. Everett walked outside with me as we watched the construction crew stake out the outline of the pool.

  “So fill me in. What style did you decide on?” Everett queried as he tucked my arm into his.

  “A Grecian “L.” The contractor suggested it, since we were working with the back corner of the house and yard. He suggested a shape to work into the corner, and I thought the classical feel of the style of the pool, thinking in terms of antique statuary, might fit in with the theme of the house and greenhouse.” As I glanced up at him, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  “What?” I asked, wondering what amused him.

  “You were so apprehensive to make these decisions, yet you easily plan something architecturally pleasing to the house and the period. You really should be more confident, Bebe!” he teased, pulling me into his side to kiss the top of my head.

  “Oh, I know what I want. It’s just hard. I finally forced myself to make a decision based on what I would have done if I was still single and spending my own money.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” Everett asked disbelievingly.

  “You know…spending so much of Banton’s money. I feel guilty,” I murmured, a little embarrassed.

  “You have got to be kidding! Banton would be irritated to think you feel that way. He has told me on more than one occasion he wished you would let him spend more money on the house. He still feels like it’s your house. The more you let him do, the more he will feel like it’s his, too.”

  “Hmm. I really hadn’t thought of it that way.” I grinned up at him, feeling better about the sixty thousand dollar contract which I’d signed thirty minutes before.

  A horn honking in the driveway turned both our heads. A pearly-white SUV pulled up, followed closely by another car. Everett and I changed our direction to greet the visitors.

  A man in khaki pants and a white button-down shirt bounded out of the SUV with a clipboard in his hand. As he neared us in the driveway, I noticed a red ball cap on his head with a car dealership logo emblazoned on the front.

  “Mrs. Gastaneau?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m Mrs. Gastaneau,” I replied as I glanced at Everett. He shrugged and turned his gaze back to the man.

  “I’m with the dealership. Mr. Gastaneau came in a month or so ago and special-ordered this SUV for you. It just came in this morning, and I had instructions to bring it to you. If you could just sign here,” he directed, handing me the clipboard.

  I stared at him, my mouth open. Banton bought me a new car without telling me. I took the clipboard, and absent-mindedly signed the dotted line.

  “If you have a few minutes, I’ll go over the features,” he rattled on, opening the doors for me, pointing out the back-up camera, all the latest safety features…custom built-in child safety seats, side air-bags in front and rear, voice-activated GPS system.

  After a few moments, I found my voice. “And my husband special ordered this?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. He’d researched everything in the Luxury SUV class, and insisted on this one. The Lincoln is one of the safest models on the market.”

  As I ran my hand over the luxurious leather on the seats, I smiled, remembering our conversation a couple of days before. He’d said he’d ordered something for my and the babies’ safety. I shook my head as I’d remembered the last time we’d driven my car together. He’d been checking out the tires, wondering at what kind of baby seats we’d need for it. I shook my head…he’d been plotting this then.

  After the salesman had finished going over the features, he handed me two sets of keys and then left with the other dealership employee.

  Everett joined me by my new car and cleared his throat.

  “Well, are you going to give me a ride?” He grinned as I turned to stare at him, shaking my head.

  “Why didn’t Banton say anything to me? This is all so overwhelming,” I stammered.

  “Bebe, he loves you. You just got married, and he moved into your house. He needs to feel like the man, you know. He needs to know he’s taking care of you.”

  “But my car is just fine,” I interrupted.

  “Your safety is everything to Banton. How old is your little SUV anyway?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

  “I don’t know…seven or eight years. It belonged to my mother,” I muttered. I considered the luxurious vehicle in front of me.

  “Well, I know the old car is another link to your mother, Bebe. You don’t have to get rid of it.”

  “I know. I just feel uncomfortable sometimes. Banton’s spending so much money,” I argued as he shook his head.

  “You are stubborn, ma cherie. It’s part of your charm. Come, give me a ride,” he urged as he helped me to the driver’s door.

  My mood lifted tremendously the further we drove. The Lincoln drove like a dream, and the interior was so luxurious. Before I knew it, we’d spent almost two hours tooling around Baton Rouge playing with all of the gadgets and features.

  As we pulled into the driveway, John bounded out of the house with an expression that urged me to hurry.

  “John, what is it?” I asked breathlessly, I hurrying around the front of the vehicle.

  “Nice wheels! Is that yours?” he asked. I met him on the steps.

  “Yes. Banton ordered it and just had it delivered. What’s wrong, John?”

  “Um, I was just watching the news, and there’s a story breaking about the SEALs.”

  I took the steps as fast as I could and hurried into the house and around the corner into the living room.

  John followed close behind and picked the remote up from the coffee table. I sank down on the sofa, my eyes glued to the TV. Just when he turned the volume up, a newscaster broke in on a scheduled talk show.

  “This just in…a team of Navy SEALs ordered to the coast of Somalia by the U.S. has taken control of the private yacht taken hostage a few weeks ago. Casualties have been reported, but reports are sketchy, and there is no official word yet from the pentagon. We will keep you informed as we receive information.”

  I struggled to see a familiar face. Flashes of men aboard the luxury yacht continued to play across the screen. Pictures of a navy gunship shown now and again, and I was sure Banton and the SEALs were assigned to that ship.

  “Andie-girl, breathe…” John caught my attention as he sat down beside me and took my hands in his.

  I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath. I sighed and tried to relax as I gazed at him.

  “I don’t know whether to be terrified at the thought they’ve been engaged with the pirates or relieved something is finally happening,” I whispered, glancing back at the television.

  “Have you heard anything from Singleton?” I asked. As John shook his head, his cell rang in the pocket of his jeans. He fished it out and answered, “Calder. Yes, Commander…I was wondering,” he glanced at me as he held his finger up to me, crossing the room into the foyer where he could talk more privately. Relief washed over me when I knew he was talking to Commander Singleton. Everett came to sit beside me on the sofa.

  “Bebe, maybe this means he’ll soon return to you,” Everett took my hand and pressed the back of it to his lips. I smiled at the thought.

  John finished his conversation and then came back into the room. />
  “Well? What did Commander Singleton say?”

  “Not much. The SEALs are all okay, and casualties were kept to a minimum. According to what little information he’s been able to get, Reed is keeping them there. He’s hoping he’ll get one more chance at the leader. It seems they have some more information about where he’s hiding.”

  My heart sank. This was the opportunity Banton had been waiting for, and I was afraid none of them would stop until they ended this. The only way to end it was to destroy Lucien and Dante.

  We watched the television for an hour or more, flipping channels, hungry for any glimpse in the news footage about the SEALs. Everett popped some leftovers in the microwave, and we camped out for the night on the sofas.

  “Have y’all been watching? It’s on all the cable news channels,” Constance called out, blowing into the foyer with a bag in each hand.

  “Here, Diva…let me help you with those,” John called out as he got up from the sofa.

  “Actually, there are three more in my car. Would you be a doll?” she fluttered her eyes at him as he rolled his. After he bounded out the front door she turned to me.

  “Has Banton texted you? I got a text from Ty a few minutes ago,” she said breathlessly as she plopped down in a chair.

  “Hello, you beautiful doll you! How was the wedding?” Everett bounced out of his chair and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  “Over the top, but I knew it would be. My mother will be in full bride-wars armor for the next three months just trying to figure out how to beat it, and I’m not even engaged yet!” she answered sarcastically.

  “You heard from Ty?” I asked as I grabbed my phone from the coffee table. The screen flashed, No new texts.

  “He said he would meet me on Skype in an hour or so, so I bet you’ll hear from Banton too,” she smiled as she plopped down beside me.

  I pulled her in and kissed her. “I’m glad you are back. I wallow better with a partner.”

  “Diva, what the hell…what do you have in here, a dead body?” John called out, dragging her hanging bag in the front door. She had packed it so full it bulged to the point it couldn’t fold to hang it. He just dropped it on the floor, trying to readjust everything.

  “Well, I needed a few things from home,” she replied. John snorted. He proceeded upstairs with the bag thrown over his shoulder and a suitcase under each arm.

  My phone buzzed and jumped on the table, signaling an incoming text. Grabbing it up, I read it hurriedly and then looked up at Everett and smiled.

  “Skype in ten to fifteen minutes, baby…”

  “You girls go on up, and I’ll bring you some ice tea.” Everett waved us upstairs.

  “Come on, Preggers, let’s get you upstairs,” Constance grabbed my hand and pulled me up from the sofa. John met us on his way down.

  “Andie, I’ll be up in a while and bring your shots,” he called over his shoulder.

  “Okay,” I called back as I hurried into my room. No sooner had I flipped my laptop open, Banton’s face popped on the screen.

  “Oh, Banton…hey!” I called out, caressing the screen. He looked so tired. I just wanted to reach through the screen to him.

  “Hi, baby. You are the best thing I’ve seen in days,” he said as he reached his hand out toward mine.

  “Are you okay? Was anyone injured?” I asked.

  “I guess you’ve seen news reports,” he said, raking his fingers through his hair. He needs a haircut, I thought, watching him.

  “Yes. We’ve been watching all night. Are you any closer to coming home?”

  “I really don’t know. We’ve got a couple of things more to clean up here, before we wrap everything up.”

  I nodded. I knew what the two things were…Dante and Lucien.

  “Banton, please be careful. Please!” I begged as my eyes began to water.

  “Hey, I’m going to be fine. There’s nothing wrong with me a night with you won’t cure!” he replied in the sexiest tone possible.

  “I love you so much,” I whispered.

  “Me too, Sweetheart. How are my twins?” he grinned, looking more lively.

  “Rolling and tumbling like tom-boys. One of them has a foot in my ribs, and decides to kick-box every morning about two a.m.”

  “Well, when daddy gets home, I’ll have a talk with her, all right?” he grinned, and flashed me the dimple.

  All I could manage was a nod. I was choked up again. I swallowed hard, and then remembered the presents.

  “Banton, the Lincoln arrived today. I can’t believe you spent so much money on me,” I admonished him as he grinned wider.

  “I never even asked them how much it was. I just wanted the safest SUV I could find. We can’t put a price tag on your safety. You are so precious to me.”

  “Banton,” I choked up again.

  “Hey, don’t cry. Did you get the picture?’

  I nodded at him. “Mmm, Wow…Banton, it’s…it’s so,” I stuttered.

  “Yes, it is. I love it. Did you put it where I told you to?”

  “Of course. Ev hung it for me this morning. I’m looking at it now.”

  “Let me see,” he commanded. I giggled at him, and then flipped my laptop around to face the picture.

  “Yep, just like I remember. I can’t wait to lie in bed and look at it. I can’t wait to lie in bed and look at the real thing! You know, I actually had a jealous moment tonight."

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “When we got back here today, we were all talking about calling our wives, girlfriends…and the pictures came out like they always do. The two new guys fell in love with your picture. Boston…he’s one of the newbies…he said, ‘Wow, you get to tell her goodnight every night?’ Then he called me one lucky son-of-a-bitch.”

  “I guess I’m flattered.”

  “Believe me, it was a compliment.”

  There was silence for several moments. We just gazed at each other. I had this weird feeling, like I should be memorizing his face…his beautiful bright brown eyes; the flecks of gold that seemed to shimmer when the light hit them just right…the sexy shadow of stubble on his cheeks, the dimples that appeared every time his eyes crinkled into a smile.

  “Well, tilt the screen so I can see the baby-bundle.”

  I giggled and then picked the laptop up so he could see my belly.

  “Good night little girls. Let Mommy get some sleep tonight, okay? Bedtime for you,” he murmured, stroking the screen with his finger.

  “Come home to me…please?”

  “You know I will.” He paused as he looked down, unfolding something and pressing it out to read. “I found this on a website the other day and copied it down to read it to you.”

  “Oh.” I smiled through my tears at him when he continued.

  “You know that place between sleep and awake…the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I’ll always be waiting,” he whispered as he looked back up at the screen.

  “Tinkerbelle,” I whispered back.

  He grinned devilishly. “My favorite fairy next to Everett,” he chuckled.

  “Banton Matthew Gastaneau!”

  “Hey, I couldn’t resist…” He grinned even bigger. I shook my head.

  “I can’t imagine anything more romantic than a man who quotes Disney,” I sighed as I gazed at him. After another pause he cleared his throat.

  “Baby, I have to go now. I’ll meet you later in our dreams…”

  And he was gone.

  Chapter Two

  My eyes snapped open the next morning. Wow, that was intense…I sat up, not believing what had just happened. I shook my head…I’d read about it in books and mentioned in movies, but didn’t believe it.

  I’d just had the most intense dream ever. What brought it on? I was missing Banton so much when I went to bed. I stared at our picture on the wall…just looking at him, his muscles bare across his chest, his hand on my belly, the way his je
ans hung just under his hipbones, the sexy “v” that trailed down to…

  I’d sprayed some of his cologne on his pillow and snuggled down in one of his flannel shirts. Then I drifted off.

  “Banton, you’re home!” I squealed as he picked me up off the floor in the foyer and swung me around.

  “God, I’ve missed you, Andie!” he exclaimed, twisting his hands in my hair.

  I still wore the flannel shirt.

  “You look really sexy in that shirt,” he murmured, grasping the collar. The buttons went flying in different directions as he ripped it open down the front.

  “Banton!” I protested.

  His eyes were burning as he looked at my naked form. As soon as he picked me up, I found myself seated on the round table in the foyer; the books and pictures usually perched there swept into the floor. I lay back on the hard surface and looked up at him, amazed and aroused at the same time. This was so hot!

  He unbuttoned his jeans slowly, watching my eyes. Grabbing my legs under my knees, he pulled me forward until he rested between my thighs.

  “Your tummy is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he murmured as he splayed his hands across it. He leaned over to place a kiss between his hands and I moaned, grasping his hair with both my hands. He rose to look into my eyes as he slowly pushed against me…

  Wow. I blushed, remembering my quick reaction, my breathing still heavy from the dream. He can do that to me, even in my dreams!

  “Why couldn’t I have dreams like that all along?” I asked his picture on the wall. I stuck my tongue out at his smiling face, shook my head, and then climbed out of bed.

  The inspiration struck! This was just what Brie needed! I began to form a plan, jazzed about a project I knew might take up three or four of my lonely days. After I showered and dressed, I decided to put my scheme in motion. I descended the stairs and peeked around the doorway into the living room.

  I took a deep breath. I’d never been good at acting. In drama, I was always part of the stage and set building crew. I watched the play from the wings. Now trying to help with Brie, keeping her secret… I felt like I was center stage.