Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) (20 page)

That made her think back to Mark’s clothes. The blood was from them. He’d been that close to them. That close to being killed. She turned away and ran from the room. Don quickly followed. She was crying in the hallway when he approached her.

“Sorry. I wasn’t thinking about that. I’m an idiot.”

“No. I needed to see it.” She sniffed and wiped away the tears. “I think I want to go and lie down for a bit.”

“You might as well enjoy your new apartment too.”

She looked up at him. “There was nothing wrong with my place, well except for the bathroom that you guys were going to fix.”

“And fixed it is.”

Hannah went and opened her door. Once again fresh paint filled her nostrils. They hadn’t stopped at the bathroom as each room she looked in was freshly painted and the house was amazingly cool.
The air conditioner works.
Each room had been completely done over. She was going to save the bathroom for last as she’d already seen what the others looked like, she assumed hers looked the same as the other two.

When she opened the door, she found once again she was way off the mark. Her bathroom didn’t look at all like it had. It had a walk-in shower with a stone wall, a double-sink vanity, and a Jacuzzi bath definitely built to occupy more than one.

“How?”

“We removed the closet in the other room. Mark hoped you’d like it.”

I’d have to be crazy not to. It’s beautiful. Like a luxury hotel, instead of my house.
“It’s all very nice, Don. Please tell him I said thank you. I’ll pay him back someday.”
Somehow.

“You tell him yourself when you see him. But I’m glad you like it.”

She turned away in awe of the room and looked at him. “Thank you too, Don. I know this wasn’t all Mark.”

“Hey. I needed a vacation. Why not here in good ole Savannah?” He laughed, but she could tell he was only trying to brush off his part.

If Bailey wasn’t going through so much right now with her health, I’d tell her to take the advice she gave me and chase his butt down. But then again, he hasn’t been forthcoming with the truth with her either. And right now, she doesn’t need anyone in her life who isn’t being straight with her.

That’s exactly how she felt. She might love Mark, but he’d kept so much from her. The excuse that it was confidential information, only shared on a need-to-know basis, was only going to go so far.
I’m glad it wasn’t another woman he was talking to that morning, but I can’t compete with the Navy. I know some men are married to their careers, and the military is one of those jobs. I’ve seen him with his men. I’d have better luck competing against a super model than his team.

It was who he was, and based on the fact that he got on a chopper and left her there with Don—that’s who he wanted to be.

When Don left her apartment, she locked the door behind him. It wasn’t something she’d ever done before, but the blood stains were still fresh in her memory and made her think differently.

So much has changed. I’ve changed. I’m not sure what to think or feel. It’s like a sweet dream and a nightmare all at once. I don’t think talking to Mark is going to fix anything, no different than him remodeling the entire house. It changes nothing. The bank will be happy to see it when they come to repo it next week.

Hannah walked into her new bathroom and started the tub.
I might as well enjoy it while I have it. Because just like Mark, this soon will be only a memory.

T
he house was so empty she couldn’t stand it any longer. Don left a few days after Mark. He said he wanted to finish what he’d started. Which was amazing and she’d never be able to thank him enough for that. Her father’s dream of having all four apartments finished and ready for renting was complete. The only issue was Hannah didn’t want anyone there. Her poor judgement of character could’ve gotten them all killed. She should’ve asked a lot of questions, but instead, because she wanted to be left alone, she asked none. It was a mistake she’d never make again.

Mark still hadn’t returned.
He said he’d be back, but the time frame on when was vague, and a week later still no word. Probably another lie. So why am I still holding onto this stupid hope that he wants me and wasn’t able to tell me then because of his job?

She spent days battling what to do permanently. Should she find an apartment in town and continue working as a waitress or go back to Providence and look for work there?
Or maybe it’s time to try someplace totally different. A place for a new beginning because this is coming to an end.

Hannah had never felt so alone as she did now.
Anything would be better than this.

Putting down her book, she was about to head inside. She saw a black Lincoln town car pulling into her driveway. There was only one person in town who drove that.
Great. The bank manager has come to claim the property. At least, he’ll be a happy man when he sees all the improvements. Too bad I won’t see any of the benefits.

She wished Mark and Don hadn’t spent so much money and time fixing the place. It was making it so much harder now to leave. Before the improvements she wanted to be anywhere but this house. Now it was where she wished she could stay.
How ironic is that? You don’t appreciate what you have until it is slipping through your fingers. Then it’s too late. All you can do is mourn the loss.

Hannah had been on an emotional roller coaster lately, and it was so much more than just the house. Losing her father started it all. Then saying goodbye to the one man she had ever loved was like another knife in her chest. And worrying about Bailey and what her test results were made her feel like her life was spinning out of control.
Again.

Reminds me of the day my father called me to say he had some news. I had never felt such fear or pain. Even with all the uncertainty in my life, losing my Dad, and saying goodbye to Mark are scars I’m sure I’ll carry forever.

She was tempted to toss the keys to the banker and walk away, leaving everything behind. But this wasn’t his fault. He’d been warning her for months. It was time to pay the debt. One she had absolutely no way of paying.

As he got out of the car and stepped onto the porch, she forced a smile and offered him a seat.

“Mr. Fitzgerald, I’ve been expecting a visit from you.”

“I wouldn’t be here if you’d returned any of my voice mails I’ve been leaving on your phone the last few weeks.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I—” She wasn’t going to lie. That’s not who she was.
Just say it.
“I couldn’t bring myself to listen to them. I knew what you were going to say, but that didn’t make it any easier. I’ve come to love being here, and leaving is going to be harder than I thought it’d be.”

“That’s what’s nice about having choices now.”

Choices? That’s a funny way to put it. My choice is to go willingly or have the cops escort me off the property.
“Is it too much to ask for twenty-four hours?”

“To do what?”

Cry until I have no tears left. Oh, I’ve done that already over Mark.
If Mr. Fitzgerald would’ve showed up twenty-four hours later, he would’ve found the house vacant anyway. Hannah had a place she needed to be tomorrow. But she wasn’t planning on staying with Bailey. All she wanted to do was be a loving and supportive friend, then come home.
But home is no more. Maybe I can call Sissie. Or maybe I’ll find a job in Providence.
Even though she knew this day was coming, she’d never thought about where to go. It was foolish but she felt if she planned it, it was admitting defeat. And until this very moment, Hannah held onto a sliver of hope.
And now I’m left with nowhere to go.

“I just want to pack a few personal things I’d like to take with me to Providence.”

“Do you need a ride to the airport? I’d be happy to provide you transportation,” Mr. Fitzgerald stated.

You really can’t wait to get me out of here, and you haven’t even seen what the place looks like now.
“I can manage myself, thank you.”

She really couldn’t believe how cold Mr. Fitzgerald was. For the past year, he’d been very understanding, even though his hands were tied and he couldn’t turn the other cheek any longer. This day could’ve come so much sooner had it not been for his kindness.
I guess having to do this doesn’t agree with you anymore than it does me.
She understood it was only business. The loan was way overdue, and foreclosure was the only thing left.

“You know how to reach me if you change your mind.” He got up and was about to leave when he said, “I almost forget about the paperwork. That’s why I came all this way.”

Her heart sank. The final paperwork was turning the property that her father had worked so hard to keep, over to the bank.
Sorry, Dad. I genuinely tried. I didn’t want to disappoint you. Honestly, you knew what I wanted before I did. I want this house. I want it to be my home. To raise a family here. You gave me everything I needed as a child, and I was too foolish to appreciate it. Until, now. Thank you, Dad, for showing me who I really am and where I belong. I love you and miss you so much.

Mr. Fitzgerald pulled out the paperwork and handed it to Hannah.

She opened it but her eyes were too blurred with tears for her to be able to read it. “Where do I sign?”

“Sign what?”

“The foreclosure paper? Don’t you need my signature?”

“This isn’t foreclosure paperwork, Hannah. This is the deed to your home.”

She looked at him puzzled. “I don’t understand. The bank holds the deed until the mortgage is paid off. Why are you giving this to me now?”

Mr. Fitzgerald raised a brow. “Your loan is paid in full. That’s why I’ve been calling you so you could come and pick up this document.”

Paid in full. No way is that possible.
She knew she hadn’t won the lottery and hadn’t made a payment in more than a year.
How could it be paid—?
“Mr. Fitzgerald, we both know I didn’t do this. Not that I wouldn’t have, but I financially couldn’t.”

He smiled at her and gave an understanding nod. “Yes, ma’am, I know.”

“Please tell me.” She could tell by the look on his face he wanted to. All he needed was a little push. Using her southern charm she looked at him with her green eyes pleadingly. “I won’t be able to stay here any longer unless I know who was so kind to me and why.”

It worked. “Mark Collins. Although, it was supposed to be an anonymous donation, but that kind of money had to be transferred. Therefore, I know his name.”
Mark? My Mark?

“
Why
would he do that?” Hannah asked softly, but it was meant for only her to hear.

“That, my dear, is something I cannot answer.”

Those were things she was adding to her ever-growing
I don’t understand
Mark Collins list. Everything he did was amazingly kind and sweet. But none of it made any sense. His actions when he left did not match everything else.
Which one is the real Mark Collins?
It was going to require deep thought and also a face-to-face conversation with that man.
If I ever see him again.

“Never mind . . . thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald. Thank you for coming all the way out here to deliver this to me.”

Before he left the porch, she was in the house looking for her cell phone.
Why is it when I’m looking for something in a rush, it’s never where I think it is?

Hannah searched the entire house. She wanted to call Mark and give him a piece of her mind. It was bad enough he remodeled her entire house without talking to her but to pay off her mortgage too? She should’ve asked when exactly the loan was paid off. Was it before or after Texas? Did he feel guilty for having sex with her and not calling afterward? Because if that was the case it only made her feel cheap. What she shared with him that night was special beyond words. She fell in love with him when she thought he had nothing, and they would have nothing together.

I almost wish he did have nothing. This would’ve been much simpler. He and I would probably be together now. Instead, he is God knows where and for all I know, never coming back.

Hannah threw herself on her bed, face first.
Even good news doesn’t feel good anymore. I need to stop this pity party I’m in and get back to Providence. The biopsy is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and I’m not going to miss it.

She heard her phone ring. It was close, but she couldn’t see it. Listening carefully, she shook her head as she realized where it was. Reaching under the covers, she pulled it out and answered on the next ring. It was from a restricted number. Normally she avoided answering those calls as they were collections calls.

“Hello.”

“Hannah. It’s Mark.” The line had so much static she could barely hear him.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she wished she could teleport through the phone to be with him.
Problem is I don’t even know where that is.

“I can hear you.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

She hadn’t heard from him since he’d left about ten days ago. Now he wants to come back and what, talk? Hannah wasn’t going to be at the house tomorrow. She was leaving at dawn to catch a plane to Rhode Island. She’d promised Bailey she’d be there for her biopsy, and she wasn’t going to change plans.

“I won’t be here.”

“Hannah. I need to talk to you. Just be there.”

The line went dead before she could respond. Her heart was being pulled in two directions. But she knew she needed to go to Providence and be with Bailey. She already came back to Savannah to work things out with Mark. He didn’t have time for her then, and now, she didn’t have time for him.
Maybe that’s a sign. Our timing is always off. It’s not meant to be.

She couldn’t bring herself to put the phone down. Deep within her she’d hoped it would ring again. But it didn’t. Hannah wasn’t sure what to say if they did talk. Her feelings for him hadn’t changed, but she’d learned things that had brought out a different level of emotions. She was still angry he took all control away from her. His heart may have been in the right place, but that didn’t give him the right to do it.
It made me feel as though he thought I need taking care of. I’m not a child. Life may have thrown me some curveballs, but that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of taking care of myself.

The phone disconnecting was a good thing. At least for her. She decided to pack for her early morning flight. There was no way she could take her negative attitude with her. Bailey needed love and support right now, and that is exactly what she was going to get.

As she pulled out her suitcase from her closet, a box that was tucked away on the shelf fell to the floor. It was not one she’d seen before. It was an old cigar box, and she knew no one who smoked them.

She lifted the lid. It was filled to the top with paper. Bringing the box with her, she sat on the bed and started to go through it.

She opened the first envelope very carefully as the paper was very brittle. Her eyes widened at what she saw. It was a love letter from her mother to her father.
Why didn’t I know about these?

Hannah often wondered what her mother was like. Her father had told her stories, but it wasn’t the same. As she read the letters, it was like her mother was coming alive for the first time. She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to say it. She was bold and confident.
I’m neither.

As she continued reading, she realized her mother embraced life like no other woman she’d met.
Well, maybe Sissie. She’s full of life too. You have to be to own a saloon in Texas, and Mom had to live all the way out here with no one around but Dad.