Southern Secrets (The Southern Series Book 2)

by Shelley Stringer

  “Well, I’m glad to be of some use in this situation. And I can’t believe you didn’t tell Banton where you were last night,” he scolded me.

  “Not one word, Everett. You have to promise me. Not one word!”

  “Well, that’s going to be a bit hard, don’t you think he’s going to notice?” He gestured to the apparatus I had around my neck, holding my arm around my middle.

  “You’re just going to have to rig the computer and camera so he can’t see down past my shoulders,” I retorted.

  “Oh, like that will be easy…Um, no, Chandler’s just shrunk, oh, she’s just sitting in the floor…He’s going to know something’s up!”

  “Well, I’ll think of something. I’ll take the sling off, and keep my arm down away from the camera. Now, scoot! I’m going to take a nap.”

  “Not without me watching. I’m not going anywhere! Scoot over sister, and let me in…” he commanded, sliding on the bed next to me. I snuggled down into the soft covers and pulled Banton’s pillow close to me. I refused to wash the pillow case on his side of the bed. It still smelled of his cologne.

  I slept so peacefully, I decided just Everett’s presence alone was enough to deter the Tariq from trying to haunt my dreams and come after me again so soon. Everett woke me gently after a couple of hours.

  “Bebe, wake up. We have supper, Mr. Philippe has been cooking up a storm, and he has the most wonderful roast beef ready. Can I bring you up a plate?” he asked as I pushed up in bed. He fluffed the pillows behind my head, and kissed me on the forehead.

  “You look much better. You needed a nap, I think,” he stated emphatically.

  “I hope Constance took one, too. She was up all night watching me last night, a nervous wreck the whole time.” I shook my head, and he laughed.

  “No, actually, she’s in there doing some last minute cramming for another exam. She said to call her, and she’d come and eat with you.”

  A knock at the door prompted him to rise and open it.

  “May I come in? I thought I’d just bring it all upstairs, and we could have a little picnic in Chandler’s room. Is that all right?” Mr. Philippe asked, whirling in with a large serving tray in tow, loaded with food. Everett cleared a spot on the trunk at the foot of the bed, and he placed the plates there one at a time.

  “I’ll just go and get mine, and our drinks, and I’ll be right back.” Mr. Philippe passed Constance in the foyer, and she stopped to kiss him on the cheek as he hurried past.

  “Something smells wonderful!” she exclaimed, taking in the food at the foot of the bed.

  “Come on over. Here’s a napkin, sweetie,” Everett flipped a napkin at her and then placed one in my lap. He then reached for my plate and set it down in front of me. He placed my fork on the left side of the plate as I looked up at him.

  “Can you manage left handed, or do you want me to feed you?” he asked, placing his hands on his hips. Constance smothered a giggle.

  “What?” he asked, flipping his palm out in the most limp-wristed gesture.

  “Nothing. It’s just you being you, Everett. We wouldn’t have it any other way.” Constance grinned at me as she settled down on the bed with her plate. Everett watched me struggle to keep the first forkful of food from falling as I raised it to my mouth. I lost about half of it on the way up, and I shot a glance at him as to say, don’t say a word.

  “I wasn’t gonna…” He held his hands back over his shoulders and grinned, and then picked his own plate up and sat down on the window seat. Mr. Philippe joined us, and we enjoyed our meal, while Constance spouted History facts out to Everett as he quizzed her about her upcoming test. After Everett and Constance helped Mr. Philippe with clearing the dishes and cleaning up, Everett returned and moved my laptop over to my lap, placing it on a bed tray to elevate it a little.

  “Well, you ARE going to help me. That’s nice,” I said in a honey-sweet voice.

  “Yes, Bebe, I thought I’d better…Banton called Constance while you were napping,” he said in a rush as he hurried out the door. “The jig is up – you’re busted. He knows…he made her tell him what was wrong last night.”

  He slammed the door just as my computer beeped.

  I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. Banton would be furious, and I had to calm him down. I flipped the screen up, and the only way to describe the look that greeted me on the monitor was pained aggravation. I flipped the switch on my webcam, and smiled sheepishly at him.

  “Chandler Ann Collins Gastaneau…” Banton began.

  “Before you start, I know what you’re going to say. It was just an accident, and I handled it. There wasn’t any sense in upsetting you because there isn’t anything you could have done. We handled it, and I’m fine.”

  He just shook his head, and then raised his eyes to mine as he said slowly, “Are you finished? Can I speak now?”

  “Yes,” I sighed, relieved everything was out in the open.

  “Chandler, why didn’t you let Constance tell me where you were? Please, don’t ever lie to me again. We promised each other we were always going to be truthful, remember? Now, let’s start over. Tell me what happened, the truth this time.” He searched my eyes, and I realized he knew everything.

  “What did she tell you?” I asked defensively.

  “Don’t get mad at her, she’s just a worse liar than you are, if it’s possible.” He grinned lopsidedly at me and I relaxed a little.

  “I had one of my dreams, when I was napping at Aunt Sue’s. Constance didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep in her room, and I didn’t wake myself in time.”

  “And he broke your arm in the dream?” He asked softly, leaning in to the screen as he spoke.

  “Yeah. I guess so,” I whispered.

  “I’m so sorry, Andie. This whole dream business is so out of control, I feel so helpless…” he began.

  “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you. You don’t need to have your mind on anything else right now!” I exclaimed. “This is what I was afraid of!” The tears welled up as usual.

  “Please, don’t cry, Baby. Don’t you see, that’s the hardest part of our being away, the not knowing what is going on with the people we love. Please don’t ever keep anything like this from me, promise me. I have to know I’m still involved at home. Promise me,” he pleaded as he reached out to touch the screen.

  “I promise. I’m sorry. I was just trying to protect you,” I whispered. I struggled to get control of my emotions.

  “Are you in a lot of pain, I know you can’t take anything,” his voice sounded tormented.

  “No, it’s not too bad. It just sort of feels similar to bad growing pains…Everett says it’s the accelerated healing kicking in. I’m taking Tylenol when I have to.”

  “You’re not having any pains or bleeding? How are the babies?” he asked gently as he continued to caress the screen with his thumb. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you when you told your family about the pregnancy. Constance said Mr. Lon didn’t take it well.”

  “That’s an understatement. But I’m glad you weren’t there, I don’t think I could have stood his blaming you. I yelled at him. I’ve never raised my voice to anyone older than me…ever. Well, no one besides you.” I glanced back up at him, and he smiled, flashing me his dimple. It made my heart soar, and everything was right in my world again.

  “Well, we’ll give him time to mull it over, and then we’ll all visit again when I get back. Everything will be fine, Chandler. I promise.”

  “I love you, Banton. I miss you so much!” I began to choke on the words. “When…do you know how much longer you will be away?”

  “I just don’t know, Baby. This was a little more involved than we thought…Things haven’t played out as planned, so we’ve had to alter our operations. It shouldn’t be as long this time between calls. I’ll call you again tomorrow, so keep your cell on.”

  “I will.”

  “Be sure Everett stays with you every second you’r
e asleep, no napping by yourself! I can’t stand the thought you might be unprotected!” he exclaimed as I nodded my head at him.

  “I promise. Please, be careful.” I kissed my fingers and placed them on the monitor.

  “I love you, Andie. More than anything…”

  The monitor went blank.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I fell asleep in Everett’s arms, missing Banton more than ever. Finally exhausted, I slept like the dead. When I woke, the sun streamed in the bay window to my room. Constance was up and dressed before I woke, knowing I’d need her help in the shower. After she pronounced me ready for class, she loaded our books in the car and started the motor as Everett walked me out. A quick honk in the driveway made me turn.

  “Chandler, what happened?” Claudia gasped as she took in the cast on my arm. She pulled Ava from her little car seat in the back, and then shut the door, hurrying up the driveway to meet us.

  I kissed her on the cheek hurriedly, and then dropped into the seat as Everett buckled the safety belt for me.

  “Everett can explain, we’re late for class.” I blew her a kiss as Constance backed out of the driveway.

  My instructors were sympathetic about my arm, and all of them offered to get someone in class to help with note taking. I was even granted access to a computer in the learning lab for students with disabilities. It was voice activated, so I could work on my writing and anything else until my cast came off. After my two classes were over, I texted Constance I’d meet her on campus for lunch. I decided to work in the computer lab until she got out of her eleven o’clock class.

  I finished my class work quickly, a short paper for my English class. After e-mailing it to my instructor, I decided to do a little research on the family who built my house. A general search on Google revealed nothing on Judge Johnson or his daughter Marie, so I decided to go to a website on local history. Searching a list of judges in the county during the civil war era, I struck gold.

  There was quite a colorful history on Judge Frederick Johnson. He was a lawyer, practicing law in the parish beginning around 1836. Known as a philanderer, he spent his young adulthood as a bachelor and was considered quite a catch by the young women in the county. After being entangled in several scandals, the young lawyer married a woman from Pennsylvania, causing quite a stir among the well-to-do in Baton Rouge society. She bore him three children, the first two died in infancy; the third child, a daughter named Marie-Claire, survived. Upon Marie’s marriage in 1860, he divided his holdings and gave half his wealth and rather large plantation to her and her new husband, Captain Hiriam DeLee. Judge Johnson was considered a traitor by most in Baton Rouge, having spoken out quite forcefully against the war and secession. The other plantation owners shunned him and were openly hostile, their disagreements having on one or more occasions ending in guns drawn or threats. His daughter’s marriage to the young army captain soothed a great deal of those wounds, for the Civil War broke out, and Marie’s husband proved to be a valuable asset to the Confederacy.

  The county history went on to describe other plantation owners, lawyers and judges who played major parts during the height of the southern plantation owners rule, it was said over seventy-percent of the nation’s wealth was contained in a several hundred mile space which encompassed Judge Johnson’s plantation, and several others locally such as Rosedown and The Myrtles. There was little else written about Judge Johnson or his daughter, just that the main plantation house was burned in 1863, and after the untimely death of Judge Johnson’s daughter, he apparently drank himself to death.

  My mind began to wander. I pushed back in my chair, and let my mind drift…DeLee, where had I heard it before?

  I had just begun a search on Captain Hiriam DeLee when I heard a beep on my cell phone. Drawing it from my bag, I checked the time, it said 12:15. Shoot, I bet it’s Constance, I’m late for lunch, I thought as I flipped it open, not even checking the name.

  “Hey, I’m sorry, Constance, I lost track of the time. I’ll be right there…” I began.

  “Not Constance, Sweetheart. You sound involved in something,” I could almost hear Banton’s grin on the other end of the line.

  “Banton! I never expected you to call this soon! What is going on…is something wrong?”

  “Calm down, Baby. Nothing is wrong. We just had sort of an eventful night, and everyone is resting in this morning. I had some time, that’s all.

  “An eventful night, are you all right? You aren’t injured or anything?” I asked anxiously.

  “Nothing more than what a Tylenol will take care of, I promise. What about you, any dreams last night?”

  “Nope. Ev stayed with me every minute. I think my intruder is put off by his presence. It’s like the Tariq knows he won’t get to me with Ev there. I’ve slept peacefully since I’ve been home.

  “I’m so glad, Chandler. I’ve been worried about you. Are you eating?”

  “Yes.” I rolled my eyes at his worrying. “I’m on my way right now to meet Constance for lunch.”

  “Good. How is she holding up?”

  “A little shaky. She stayed up all night Saturday night, worried I’d have another dream, and then she studied all day Sunday for an exam she had this morning. She was up before me this morning, to help me get ready in the shower, with the cast and all.”

  “Well, I hope I can be home before the end of the week, to relieve her. I can’t wait to help you shower.”

  I smiled, gathering my books and depositing them in my bag. “You’re incorrigible, Lieutenant. Mmm, come to think of it, I can’t wait for you to help me in the shower either.” He chuckled, and I giggled. I hurried out of the lab and across the lawn with its massive gathering of oaks and Spanish moss. I spied Constance standing outside the student center, her cell to her ear.

  He continued, “So, I’m thinking, just a few more days. I forgot to tell you, my parents want us to come to N’awlins next weekend for a long weekend. They are part of a Mardi Gras krewe there, and they want us to come to their masque ball. I think I can be home in time, so we’ll load everyone up and spend a fun weekend. I can show my beautiful new wife off to all my parents’ friends.”

  “It sounds great, but doesn’t give me much time to find a dress.”

  “Call Ev. He’s invited too, by the way. John and Brie, and Constance and Ty…If it’s too short notice for your fairy godmother Ev to find you a new dress, the one you wore to the officers’ ball is stunning. All you need is a feathered mask to match it.”

  “Ok, a masque ball does sound like a lot of fun. I just can’t wait for you to come home, ball or no ball,” I stated emphatically, stopping in front of Constance.

  “Well, I think Constance will have a lot to tell you, I think Ty’s calling her too.” I glanced up at the comment. I could tell she was deep in a conversation with him. “Rub your tummy, and tell my baby girls I love them.”

  I grinned even bigger; he was so sure it was girls. “I will. I love you so much, Banton.”

  “Oh yeah…” he sighed. “I know, I can feel it, even with the distance…I love you too, Chandler. More than life itself.”

  The tears threatened as I shut the phone. Constance had a happy, but slightly annoyed look on her face as she shut hers and joined me to go through the doors into the student center.

  We went through the line and sat down to eat before I asked her about her conversation. She sat, playing with her hamburger; it was not in Constance’s nature to play with food. She usually had a healthy appetite.

  “So, what did Ty say?” I asked. She paused to look up at me.

  “That he’s in love with me, and he misses me. But he’s still playing the I’m no good for you, I’m dangerous for you routine. He’s still worried about the Orcos, and putting me in danger. He sounds so tortured, and he’s wavering about our relationship. I know he wants to be with me. He’s just being stubborn.”

  “Have you not heard anything from Dr. Lane? It’s been over two weeks. He should have his re
sults,” I asked as I took a bite of my burger.

  “I’ve tried to call him a couple of times, on Friday and again this morning. I haven’t heard from him yet. I’m just so ready to settle this, one way or the other!”

  “You will. The guys are supposed to be home before next weekend, so maybe you can welcome him home with the news,” I encouraged as we continued to eat.

  “That would be great. Somehow, I don’t think that’s all he’s worried about. Going on this mission, I think it’s stirred him up even more, I can hear it in his voice. Did Banton say anything?” she asked, dropping her voice to a whisper.

  “Just that they’d had an eventful night, and they were all resting this morning. I still don’t know where they are.”

  “I do.” She grinned at me.

  “Where! How do you know?”

  “Ty let it slip, he didn’t even realize he’d done it. They’re in N’awlins…” She revealed mischievously, finishing off her burger.

  “They are that close? Then it must mean…” I shuddered as it dawned on me. If they were running a mission in New Orleans, they were cleaning out the last of the cell there. They’d been fighting the rogue Orcos at the source.

  “What?” she asked. “I thought their being in N’awlins would be good news. That means they couldn’t be in much danger.”

  “Don’t be so sure. I think N’awlins is where the main cell of Orcos is based. It’s always been a hotbed of suspected vampire activity.”

  Her eyes widened. “If they’ve seen a lot of activity, more attacks on humans, he might be a little more sensitive about being around you when he comes home,” I warned her.

  “I have to talk to Dr. Lane.” She flipped her phone out of her purse, and dialed his number. “Hello, Dr. Lane? Yes, this is Constance LaBlance, Chandler’s Cousin. I was wondering, because I hadn’t heard anything back from you, …Oh, yes, that’s why I was calling… And? That’s great!” She smiled at me, evidently getting the confirmation she was a carrier of the gene.