Kindred Souls (The Sable Inn Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  She watched him swim away with a silly smile on her face before she joined him. Together, they swam laps until they moved over to the whirling spa. Derek noticed that this time, Lana sat across from him, on the far side and their eyes connected across the water.

  She spread her arms out to rest them along the edge. “That worked off some steam, huh?”

  Derek lifted a dark brow. “Yeah, I guess…”

  “I’m not tipsy tonight…”

  “And that means…”

  Lana shrugged a wet shoulder. “Well, the way the cameras are positioned in here, this spot where I’m sitting is the only place in the room that’s not covered. It’s a blind spot. We noticed it after the cameras were installed, but since we can see basically everything else, we decided not to change them.”

  “So, you should come and sit over here, so that we can…talk privately.”

  Lana watched as Derek slowly made his way over to her. She gasped when he lifted her from the water and sat placing her on his lap. Lana looped her arms around his neck to hold on for balance.

  “So what we’re not going to do Lana Sable, is play any type of games,” Derek told her firmly.

  “Who’s playing games?”

  He gave her a look. “We can…talk privately…anywhere and anytime you like. You have my complete attention and you don’t need to do anything to encourage it.”

  Lana smiled softly. “What is your opinion on one night stands?”

  “They happen,” Derek shrugged.

  She lifted a brow. “Often?”

  “Are you asking to have one or how many I’ve had in the past?”

  “I think if you’re here for a month, it would definitely be more than one night,” Lana told him.

  Derek touched her face. “I would hope so.”

  Lana held his gaze. “I’m not a prude but I’m also not completely sexually liberated. I’m honest enough with myself to admit that I still equate sex with love or some type of deep emotion, even in this new age of quote/unquote ‘situationships’.”

  He dropped his hand to her leg underneath the water. “It’s possible to have one without the other,” he commented.

  “I’ve been told that many times…by men and women, but my feelings remain the same.”

  Derek kissed her cheek. “We don’t have to plan it out. Nature can just run its course.”

  “I can be open to that,” she whispered, turning her mouth to his. Derek received her offering and returned it, while gently caressing her thigh.

  “I’ve never experienced this level of attraction,” Lana confessed. “Not this quickly.”

  He locked eyes with her. “Lana, I wasn’t planning to come here. I wasn’t looking to meet anyone and I certainly wasn’t expecting to be this attracted to you. I’m sure we’ve both met attractive and interesting people, but this is deeper than the physical.”

  “I don’t necessarily believe in fate and destiny,” he continued. “But I do understand my instinct and it’s never let me down. I came here for you and I’m not leaving here, until I know exactly what that means,” he finished.

  “Since you walked through the door, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” Lana told. “And believe me, I didn’t want to.”

  “Oh, I got that message.” He said with a smile. “But I changed your mind.”

  “I have to admit that you did,” she agreed. “You’re very persistent and persuasive.”

  “I have to be, in order to make things happen.”

  Lana stroked his jaw, gently touching the soft hairs. “You know I can’t resist a strong brother.”

  “I remember, and your book club agreed with you.”

  She laughed and traced his full lips. “Speaking of, if this thing between us goes sour…my friend, Nadia has already put her bid in for you.”

  “Tell Nadia, I plan to be enjoying your sweetness for many days to come.” Derek said, kissing her again.

  “Yeah, I claimed you.”

  Derek chuckled. “I feel so special.”

  Lana became serious. “I’m finding that you very well may be…”

  He pulled her closer and they enjoyed exploring one another. Exiting the spa, they talked until they realized that morning was on the horizon.

  “I have to get ready for the breakfast meal soon,” Lana said reluctantly, as they relaxed on the pool loungers.

  Derek looked over at her. “I guess we’ve spent our first night together.”

  “And it was amazing,”

  “I agree,” Derek said taking her hand.

  “Are you working today?” she questioned.

  He nodded. “I need to stay on top of things.”

  “I have a busy scheduled today and with Daddy home, he’ll want to meet with us.” Lana explained. “So, I guess I’ll give you a rest.”

  Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly. “I’m not trying to interfere in your work, so whenever you have time, you know where to find me.”

  Lana leaned forward. “I’ll always find you.”

  ******

  Derek worked through breakfast and his stomach made him go downstairs for lunch after smelling the delicious food through the vents. He was met in the dining room by Lorna.

  “Good afternoon, Lorna,” he greeted.

  “Hello, Derek. Are you enjoying your stay at the Sable Inn?” she asked with a smile.

  He nodded. “Very much so.”

  “Great! Well, have a seat and we’ll take your order.”

  “Thank you,” Derek responded, then found an empty table. A few minutes later, he placed his order and was served a tall glass of lemonade while he waited. He was checking his phone, when his food arrived and he looked up, surprised at the server.

  “Mr. Wells?”

  “Yes, that’s me.” Derek answered.

  The older woman sat the plate in front of him and Derek caught Lorna’s smile across the room. Turning his attention back to the woman, he stood to his feet.

  “Thank you.”

  She smiled and took the seat across from where he’d been sitting, prompting him to sit back down.

  “I’m Ella Langston,” she introduced herself. “I make the food around here.”

  Derek nodded. “Then I should thank you again because everything has been delicious.”

  “I understand that you’ve been spending time with our Lana.”

  He noted how she said ‘our’. “Yes, Lana has been kind enough to spend her free time with me.”

  Mrs. Langston nodded and watched him.

  “Are you a chef, Mrs. Langston?” Derek asked.

  She shook head. “Nah, baby…didn’t come to talk about me.”

  Derek sat back. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You know, I helped raise those girls. Cutest little things I’d ever seen running around here, driving their Daddy crazy. The baby, Lorna, she’s a sweetheart. Kindest little thing you’ll ever meet. Lena, strong as an ox. Will fight you to the death over her sisters and Daddy.”

  He listened intently for her next words. “And Lana…she took on the role as Momma. Loving, protective and as loyal as they come. If she loves you, she’ll never turn her back on you. She takes care of everybody and everything. It’s time somebody came to take care of her.”

  “Do you have any words of advice for me to do that?” Derek asked.

  Mrs. Langston leaned forward. “First of all, do you want to?”

  He matched her stance. “Yes, I do. That’s why I’m here.”

  She smiled. “Good. Now the first thing is, don’t let her retreat. She’s good for that. Lana will fight for everybody else, except herself. Oh, she’s not a pushover, but she’s guarded.” Mrs. Langston pointed a finger at him.

  Derek nodded. “I can see that.”

  “She doesn’t do anything that she doesn’t want to do,” Mrs. Langston advised. “So, if she’s spending time with you, knowing that you’re a guest…that means that you’ve sparked something in her.”

  T
he old woman leaned back and pinned him with a stare. “So if you’re here to get your jollies while on vacation, I suggest you look elsewhere. This ain’t that kind of party. These are good girls here,” she warned.

  Derek smiled at the woman’s words. “No ma’am, definitely not here to get my…jollies. I’m staying to spend time with Lana because she’s sparked something within me as well.”

  Mrs. Langston relaxed. “Okay now, you look like a nice young man. Where your people from?”

  “We’re from Virginia.”

  She nodded. “Eat that food before it gets cold. I don’t like my meals wasted.”

  Derek picked up his fork with a smile. “Lana told me you’d take a switch to us.”

  “She knows.”

  He chuckled and dug into the plate. “This is really delicious. It reminds me of home.”

  “Stick around for a while and this place will become home,” Mrs. Langston said as she got to her feet. Derek stood along with her and she patted his arm.

  “Welcome to the Sable Inn, Derek.”

  “Thank you ma’am.” He replied. “I’m enjoying it more every day.”

  He watched her walk back to the kitchen and took his seat again, finishing his lunch. Derek’s phone rang as he was walking through the lobby and he saw his sister’s number. Stepping outside into the nature, he answered.

  “Thanks for calling me back,” she complained.

  “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I talked to Brian and then I started catching up on what was going on.”

  She sighed. “Now you see why I was trying to get in touch with you?”

  He began walking. “Yeah, I never thought we’d get to this point.”

  “Can you believe there’s an actual debate over whether any of this is illegal? People have just forgotten the Constitution!”

  “We know how laws are broken and shit is slipped under the rug, depending on who’s involved,” he commented.

  “Are you on your way to Washington?”

  He looked at the scenery as he passed. “No, I’m still in Michigan.”

  “For how long?”

  “As long as necessary…”

  “What the hell is going on Derek?” she demanded. “This is what you live for.”

  He frowned. “I never said all that.”

  “Why are you still in Michigan?” she asked plainly.

  “A pretty country girl has me walking through woods,” he answered, looking at the trees.

  “Excuse me, I need to speak with Derek Wells.”

  Derek stopped on the path. “Shut up Dina.”

  “Really, where is my brother? The Campaign Manager? The Politician Maker?”

  “That Derek is on vacation, while Derek the single man with a life, is spending time with a beautiful woman in a beautiful place,” he countered.

  His sister sighed. “My bad Derek. I’m certainly not trying to begrudge you a life. If anybody, I know how much you’ve sacrificed to get where you are.”

  Derek looked out at the water. “I wasn’t looking for this Dina, but it’s found me and I can’t walk away.”

  “At least keep in touch,” Dina requested.

  “I will,” he promised.

  “You know I love my little brother and I’m so proud of you.”

  Derek laughed. “Don’t try to clean it up now. You probably were calling me everything but your little brother when you couldn’t get in touch with me.”

  “I did, but I can do that. Nobody else can though,” she replied.

  “I love you too. Did you talk to Momma today?”

  Dina laughed. “Yes, can’t miss my day. You’d better not miss yours either.”

  “I know better than that.”

  “Your little country girl might have you tied up.”

  He shook his head. “Nah, I don’t play about calling Momma.”

  Derek heard a noise and turned to find another person.

  “Uh, Dina…let me talk to you later.”

  Derek ended the call and stepped to the man. “Mr. Sable, I wondered when we’d meet again.”

  Lloyd nodded. “Let’s take a walk, son.”

  “My pleasure, sir.”

  The two men began walking along the path and Derek followed Lloyd’s lead.

  “I understand that you’ve been here three days, now?” Lloyd questioned.

  Derek nodded. “Yes,”

  “And you’re booked for the entire month?”

  “Unless or until my work demands my attention,” Derek answered.

  Lloyd lifted a brow. “And then what?”

  “Then I’ll handle my business both here and there.”

  Both Lloyd and Derek turned as a golf cart came in their direction. Derek looked at the older man who was driving the vehicle as he stopped and climbed out slowly.

  “Here you are,” the older man commented. “I wondered where you’d walked off to…”

  Lloyd smiled. “I saw our guest and I wanted to have a word with him.”

  Turning to Derek, the older man held out his hand. “Harry Langston.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Langston. I’ve met your wife and tasted her delicious food,” Derek greeted, shaking the extended hand.

  “That’s my Ella,” Mr. Langston boasted then turned to Lloyd. “I’ve got the buckets and the poles on the cart.”

  Lloyd nodded. “Thanks Mr. Langton.” He then looked at Derek. “You fish, son?”

  “I haven’t in a while, but I know how to handle a pole,” he answered.

  “We’re having a fish fry tonight at the Inn and I need to provide the fish. Would you like to join me?” Lloyd offered.

  Mr. Langston looked between the two men and waited.

  Derek tucked his phone into the back pocket of his jeans and nodded. “Sure, why not?”

  Lloyd smiled then climbed into the waiting cart.

  “Tell Mrs. Langston, I’ll have a haul for her when I get back.” Lloyd told Mr. Langston then looked at Derek. “Hopefully, my fishing buddy will pull in his share.”

  Derek entered the cart on the other side. “Depends on how many people you’re trying to feed.”

  Lloyd laughed. “The whole town.”

  Derek looked confused as Mr. Langston laughed. “Happy fishing!” He turned and walked away before Lloyd started the cart and the two men took off toward the river.

  Chapter 7

  Lana was in her office meeting with her sisters in preparation for the evening’s fish fry. Their father had returned and wanted to thank the town for looking after his girls while he’d been gone. Whenever Lloyd left, the neighbors would make sure that the Inn was safe and that the Sable sisters were in need of nothing. They were beloved in the town and returned that love.

  A light knock on the door had all three women looking up before Lana stood to answer. Opening the door, she froze at the man on the other side.

  “Jamal, really?” she asked and her sisters turned to see what was going on.

  Jamal smiled and entered the office with another floral arrangement. “Your dude is a good customer.”

  The women watched as he sat the flowers on the desk.

  “I have to tell Derek to stop this,” Lana said shaking her head.

  Jamal turned to her with a frown. “Nah, don’t do that.”

  Lorna hid a smile as the conversation continued.

  “Jamal, I can’t have him spending his money like this,” Lana argued.

  “He has an order in for every day, for the next month, Lana.” Jamal informed her. “Don’t make ME lose money.”

  Lana froze. “Derek has you bringing me flowers every day this month?”

  Jamal nodded. “Yeah, and I don’t get many orders like that.”

  Lena laughed. “Don’t mess up the man’s business Lana. Let your man be a big baller.”

  Lana frowned at her sister. “He doesn’t have to do this.”

  “I think it’s sweet,” Lorna said and Jamal winked at her.

  Lana took he
r seat and stared at the arrangement. “You’re really good at this now, Jamal. They’re beautiful.”

  He smiled. “Thanks Lana, I don’t know what I would’ve have done without the Inn’s business.”

  “We believe in you,” Lorna said quietly, and Lena looked at her sister.

  “Yes, we do Jamal.” Lena agreed. “Although, clearly some more than others.”

  Lorna flushed and Lana shook her head thinking about Derek. This man had actually ordered a month’s worth of deliveries to her. Who does something like that? This brother right here…

  “Are we cool, Lana?” Jamal asked, bringing her back to the present.

  “Yes, we’re cool.” She stood to her feet. “Don’t say I’ve never done anything for you,” she teased him.

  “I could never say that,” he affirmed.

  He looked at Lena and Lorna. “Bye beautiful sisters.”

  “Bye, Jamal…” Lena said turning back to her work.

  “Lorna, I left something for you at the desk,” he told her with a smile.

  “Thank you, bye Jamal.”

  He walked out the door and Lana closed it behind him while Lena glanced at the beaming Lorna.

  “I swear, you two are a reality show.”

  Lana took her seat again. “Let’s get back to business. Daddy is out catching the fish, so we need to take care of everything else for tonight.”

  “Is Derek coming down for the fish fry?” Lorna asked.

  “I haven’t spoken with him yet today.”

  Lena smiled. “If Lana’s there, he’ll be there.”

  “That’s true,” Lorna agreed.

  Lana picked up her pen. “Let me worry about Derek.”

  “Don’t mess this up, Lana,” Lena warned.

  “Uh, excuse me?” Lana asked lifting an arched brow.

  Lena wasn’t deterred. “I know you, and I know how you operate. Give that man a chance.”

  “Since when did you become a love doctor?” Lana questioned. “You don’t even know anything about him.”

  “I know that you’re feeling him,” Lena countered. “And he’s doing the same.”

  “So…”

  Lena sighed. “So don’t cut it off before it can begin. You’ll start analyzing and making lists of why you shouldn’t be with him, and then you’ll make a decision to protect yourself.”

  “Damn Lena, I just met the man.” Lana protested.