Free Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) by Jeannette Winters Page B

repairs. Not that I don’t want it done, but seven to seven is long enough.
    As she left her room, she couldn’t stop herself from turning toward his room. The door was closed. Good. Stay there till I’m gone. I need to start this day off on a good note, not a lusty one.
    Hannah tiptoed down the hall and exited the house. She saw the lights on in her tenant’s apartment as she sat in her car. Strange. Strange. That man never seems to sleep. When she first met Jason three months ago, he’d been a sweet, polite young man. She hadn’t felt uncomfortable at all. He was attractive, but he didn’t affect her like Mark. She’d tried talking to him when he first moved in, but he seemed . . . lost, but not unsettled. That’s how she’d felt since her father died, so she didn’t push the issue. Giving someone the space they want was sometimes the best thing. Although she was in and out often, she’d only seen him leave the apartment once, and that was very late at night. Hannah wasn’t one to judge another only on odd or strange behavior. She thought about the comment Mark made about him. Should I have done more checks? No. Don’t think about it. He pays his rent; that’s all you need to be concerned about.
    She started her car and headed to work. There was no point in worrying about it. The possibility of losing the house was fast becoming a reality. She knew there was no way Mark and Don could make the vacant second-floor apartment safe by Friday. There wasn’t even a bathroom floor, and the kitchen wasn’t much better. At least Mark and Don will have a place to stay until the bank kicks us all out. I don’t know where they’ll go afterward, but I’m sure those two will find someone to hire them. Maybe I should write them a letter of recommendation.
    Hannah burst out laughing as she thought to herself what Mark’s would say.
    To whom it may concern,
    I recommend Mark Collins to work shirtless. Also, his butt looks fantastic in jeans. He’s great with his hands.
    P.S. He also knows first aid .
    She had to wipe the tears from her cheeks, picturing his next potential employer reading it. I’m sure he’d have a line waiting to hire him.
    Then her laughter stopped. She didn’t want to think of him working for another woman. That sexy shirtless man was for her enjoyment only. I never liked sharing as a child, I guess I haven’t outgrown it.
    She was almost at the diner when she saw a huge truck pulling away from the hardware store. They didn’t normally get large deliveries mid-week. Whatever it was, she was sure the driver had stopped at the diner for breakfast, so she’d soon have the scoop. One thing about a small town—everyone talks. And that’s why I don’t want to live in one anymore. Everyone talks but that doesn’t mean they have their facts right.
    She remembered the rumor that she’d left home because she was pregnant and didn’t want her father to know. Her father had called her to ask if it was true. He was both relieved and crushed to find it wasn’t. He’d said he wanted to be a grandpa. Hannah had promised he would be when the time was right. Yet another promise I couldn’t keep, Dad. But neither of us knew how little time you had. I really miss you, Dad. It’s not fair. First Mom and then you. Why did you both have to be taken away so young? If only I’d known, I never would’ve gone away to college. I would’ve spent every moment here with you making more memories.
    She was tired of counting all the times she’d let him down. The last promise she’d made was about that darn house. Once that one was broken, she’d have nothing left. Closing the door on that would be bittersweet. She would have to live with regret instead of the endless need to make it work, when no matter how hard she tried she was bound to fail.
    As she got out of her car, she told herself to put her sweet southern smile on. She’d become a wonderful actress over the past few years. No one could tell if she