Sweet Southern Nights Read online

  “You had one this morning, but you were still asleep.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me up, Angie?”

  “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  Signaling, Levi turned off onto the local road leading to Magnolia Pines. “If there’s one time when I need to be awakened, then that would be it.”

  “Even after you’ve worked a double shift?”

  Attractive lines fanned out around his eyes when he smiled. “It would be the best way to put me to sleep.”

  Her smile matched his. “We’ll see.”

  “Yes we will, won’t we?” he said mysteriously. Levi pulled into the driveway, parking behind Angela’s Audi. He helped her out, holding on to her hand as they mounted the porch. Angela unlocked the door and Miss Divine was there to meet them. Tossing her keys in a crystal bowl on the entryway table, she slipped out of her heels.

  She turned to face Levi. “Thank you for a wonderful weekend.”

  Cradling her face, Levi lowered his head. “I should be the one thanking you.” He kissed her, easing her back until her body was pressed against the wall.

  His right hand moved from her face, over her breast and still lower to the opening in her skirt. The fabric parted when his fingers slipped under the elastic of her panties, finding her wet, hot and pulsing. While his hands and fingers worked their magic, hers were busy undoing the buckle on his belt, and unzipping his pants.

  Groaning, straining, they struggled to get closer while maintaining their balance. It was when she reached through the opening in his boxers to release his hardened sex that the dam broke. Her bare feet left the floor when Levi picked her up with one arm, pulled down her panties with the other and then guided his erection inside her. Her legs circled around his waist, and her arms around his neck.

  The passionate cries and groans of their lovemaking only heightened their desire. Levi drove into Angela over and over, again and again until he felt as if his head would explode.

  She was so wet, so tight, her flesh holding him captive like a glove a size too small. Cradling her hips, he felt the tremors of her orgasm. What Levi felt for the woman in his arms went beyond lovemaking. It was mating.

  Angela moaned aloud with erotic pleasure that singed her body from head to toe. Her breath was now coming in desperate gasps that were a prelude to an explosive orgasm. Her body melted into Levi’s, the runaway beating of her heart keeping pace with his. She was hot, then cold and then the heat returned.

  Closing her eyes, Angela buried her face between his strong neck and shoulder. Everything that was Levi Eaton seeped into her and she knew he was special. That he was the one who would heal her heart and help her see beyond her past to a future with a man she could trust.

  Angela gasped in the sweetest ecstasy that made her want to cry. And she did cry. When an orgasm shuddered through her body, she cried out her release.

  Levi felt the contractions squeezing and releasing his straining sex. He quickened his thrusting, as love flowed from Angela like molten lava, melting around him as he felt his release inside of her. It was the first time in his life that the thought of fatherhood was so strong that he’d wanted to make love to a woman without protection.

  Not only had he fallen hard for Angela, but he was also falling in love with her. A peace he had never known flowed through him as he lowered Angela until her feet touched the floor. He felt the tremors still shaking her body.

  “Are you all right, baby?”

  Angela snuggled against his chest. “I’m more than all right. That was wonderful.”

  Pulling back, Levi saw an expression of pure bliss on her face. “Was that spontaneous enough for you?”

  She tiptoed and nibbled his lower lip. “It was more than I could’ve ever imagined.” Angela closed her eyes, moaning in protest when he pulled out.

  Levi adjusted his clothes. “I’m going home while I still can, because if I stay here I won’t make it to work tomorrow.”

  Angela felt his loss even before he walked out the door. She knew she wouldn’t see him again until Friday. But knowing they were going away for the weekend made his absence bearable.

  She affected a bright smile. “I’ll see you.”

  Dipping his head, Levi kissed the corners of her mouth. “I’ll call you.”

  Angela stood at the door, watching as he walked to where he’d parked his car. She took a deep breath, inhaling the lingering scent of his cologne and her perfume mingling with the scent of their lovemaking.

  She waved to Levi. She waited until the taillights disappeared from view, and closed and locked the door. Her back pressed against the door, she closed her eyes reliving the erotic encounter as warm tears pricked the backs of her eyelids.

  Her mind burned with the memory of what she’d shared, and she knew unequivocally that she’d fallen in love with Levi Eaton. She blinked back the torrent of tears threatening to fall. Why, Angela thought, did she feel so empty instead of elation? Her promise not to become involved was shattered. And he wasn’t some fantasy, or a figment of her imagination, but a real flesh and blood man who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She wanted what her parents had and what Traci and Reggie had. She wanted to be married and be the mother of Levi Eaton’s children. Angela wanted her own happy ending.

  Angela walked up the staircase to the second floor to shower and change her clothes. She wanted to remain optimistic about her relationship with Levi, but it wasn’t going to be easy. He only had another seven weeks before he would leave Kentucky—forever.

  If she could maintain the same pace in her writing, in seven weeks she would have completed her manuscript. She’d hoped her deadline would coincide with Levi’s departure and they could travel to New York together.

  Angela was looking forward to meeting her editor, eating a meat patty, visiting Yankee Stadium and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. There was no doubt her first trip to New York would be one she would remember for the rest of her life.

  Chapter 17

  Levi couldn’t bring himself to look at Dr. Gemma Wagner. It was as if she wanted to sabotage her career. She’d been summoned to meet with the chief of staff and the hospital board about her future.

  She’d admitted to being a drug abuser but denied stealing drugs from the hospital. She refused to go into a rehab program, which left the board with no recourse but to terminate her hospital residency. Levi’s head popped up when he heard the soft click of the lock as she walked out, closing the door behind her.

  Neil McGill folded his hands together. “I’m sorry, Dr. Eaton, but you know the adage, ‘you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.’ If Dr. Wagner would’ve agreed to go into treatment, we may have considered bringing her back based on your recommendations, but apparently she refuses to acknowledge she has a problem.”

  Levi pushed back his chair. He had lost one resident. “Thank you, ladies, gentlemen and Dr. McGill for taking the time to hear me out.”

  The door opened and McGill’s secretary stuck her head in. “Excuse me, Dr. McGill. There’s call on line three from the governor’s office.”

  McGill turned and picked up the phone on the table. “Good morning, Governor Haskell.”

  All eyes were on the head of the hospital as his eyes grew wider, he nodded and scribbled something on the pad in front of him. “I’ll assemble a team as soon as I can. Yes, sir, I understand. You’re welcome.”

  He pressed a button, breaking the connection. “There was a tornado near the Indiana border that hit several counties. There’s been extensive damage to homes and businesses, including hospitals. The governor has called out the National Guard. And they need experienced doctors to help with the sick and injured. Dr. Eaton, can I count on you to help out?”

  “Of course,” Levi said.

&n
bsp; “I need you to pack for at least two weeks. The state police will arrange to transport you and a team of doctors to the site where they’re going to set up a field hospital.”

  “What time do you want us ready?” Levi asked.

  “Two o’clock. Everyone will meet on the north end of the staff parking lot.”

  Levi left the room, and reached for his cell. He punched in the speed dial number for Angela. It took him less than a minute to tell her that he probably wouldn’t see her for at least two weeks.

  “I’ll make up for our weekend when we get back.”

  “Don’t worry about that, sweetie. You’ll probably want to sleep around the clock when you get back. Remember, you have your family reunion at the end of the month.”

  He smiled. “Are you coming with me?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Thanks, babe. I have to go home and pack. I’ll call you whenever I have some downtime.”

  “Send me a text, Levi, and I’ll text you back.”

  “Okay. I miss you already.”

  “Same here. Be careful, Levi.”

  “I will. Bye, love.”

  There was a pause, then Angela’s voice came through the earpiece. “Goodbye, darling.”

  Angela saved what she’d written on her computer, raced out of the office and into the kitchen to turn on the Weather Channel for information. She watched, transfixed, at the footage of the damage in the aftermath of the tornado that had hit two counties. She clasped a hand over her mouth when she saw an elderly woman wandering aimlessly around in the rain near what had once been her home.

  “Oh, my word,” she whispered through her fingers. It looked as if someone had dropped a bomb, obliterating everything within miles. She said a silent prayer for the people who lived there and for the first responders.

  Reaching for the phone, she dialed the number to the Maywood Junction clinic. “This is Angela Chase,” she said introducing herself when the receptionist answered. “Is Duncan available?”

  “He’s with a patient. But I’ll have him call you back as soon as he’s finished.”

  “Thank you.” Within seconds of hanging up the phone rang again and Angela picked it up. “Duncan?”

  “Guess again?” asked a sultry feminine voice.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Goddard. Did you tell your mother?”

  “I just got off the phone with her. I told her Reggie and I had remarried and she was going to be a grandmother all in one breath.”

  “And…”

  “Daphne Hitchcock Freeman was completely silent.”

  “No!”

  “No lie, Ang. Then she started crying. Have you ever known my mother to cry? I take that back. She cries whenever she wants Daddy to do something she knows he’s totally against. And my marshmallow father gives in every time. Once she stopped crying she said she’s going to have a little something for the family.”

  “Little is something my aunt is not familiar with.”

  “I know that, Ang, and so do you.”

  “Are you going to give in to her?”

  “I said no, but Reggie capitulated and said if it’s only family, otherwise he’ll personally shut it down. And you know my husband has enough thug in him to follow through with his threat.”

  “Where and when?”

  “It’ll probably be over the Memorial Day weekend. I know Aunt Dianne usually has a cookout that weekend, but Mom said she’s going to talk to her and maybe they can host something together.”

  Angela grimaced. “I won’t be able to make it.” She told Traci about going to Philadelphia with Levi for his family reunion.”

  “Is there something you’re not telling me, Ang?”

  “No, Traci, it’s not like that. I made a deal with him. Since he came with me to Yvette’s wedding I agreed to go with him to his family reunion. I… Traci, I’ll call you back,” she said hearing the call-waiting signal and glancing at the caller ID display.

  “You don’t have to call me back. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  Angela tapped the call-waiting button. “Hey, Duncan.”

  “Hey, Ang. What’s up?”

  She told him about Levi’s call and she was surprised when he revealed that a call had gone out to doctors all over the state for volunteers. “One of the hospitals took a direct hit and unfortunately there were fatalities. I sent the physician assistant, so right now I’m the only full-timer covering the clinic. I’d love to talk, but I have another patient. I’ll call you later on this week. Love you, Ang.”

  Angela smiled hearing his trademark goodbye. “Love you back, bro.”

  Picking up the remote, she turned off the television.

  I miss you already. Levi’s words came back with surprising clarity. “I miss you, too,” she whispered.

  A soft meowing caught her attention and Angela turned to find Miss Divine standing at the entrance to the kitchen. She still avoided the kitchen, living and dining rooms, despite Levi’s urging.

  “Does Mama’s baby want a treat?” The cat meowed in response. “Let’s go get a treat, baby.” She went into the pantry, opened a bag with the treats and handed one to Miss Divine, who held it in her mouth as she ran off in the direction of the laundry room.

  Angela brewed a cup of tea, taking it with her when she went back to her manuscript.

  Three days later she got a text message from Levi:

  Delivered a baby 2day 4 the first time in 8 years. It felt good.

  Congrats. How r u doing?

  Tired, but good. And u?

  Miss u

  She smiled when she read: Miss u 2

  Her fingers typed: Pls. take care. I don’t know how 2 take care of a Dr.

  :) Luv U

  Angela closed her eyes, not wanting Levi to misinterpret what she meant. It was a term she used with her brothers whenever she spoke to them. Her sign-off signature was always love you, bro. So couldn’t Levi say the same? Luv u back.

  She waited for his response

  Trying 2 get some sleep. Have 2 set up neonatal 2morrow

  Later, sweetie

  Later, luv

  The texts came every two to three days. Some were light and funny and others were terse one-liners.

  One week became two and then three. Angela didn’t believe she could miss Levi that much. It wasn’t as if they saw each other every day, but even when they were apart she somehow felt connected to him.

  She’d tried to analyze her relationship with Levi, to rationalize her feelings by saying it was just sex. But if she was truly honest with herself, she’d know that wasn’t it.

  She was able to talk to him about any and everything without censoring herself. He’d always given her a choice in what she wanted to do, and in how she wanted their relationship to proceed. Levi was intelligent and generous—a rare combination that Angela found lacking in most of the men she’d dated. Was Levi Eaton a modern-day, real-life hero that every woman dreamed about? And here she had him.

  Angela was resigned to the fact that Levi was going to leave Kentucky and resume his life in much the same way she would continue with her life. After all, she was grown, doing grown-woman things and able to handle the consequences.

  Angela knew she loved Levi, and what’s more she had fallen in love with him. But it was trust that had always superseded love. St. Augustine wrote, Love is like a temporary earthquake. It erupts, then subsides. When she’d come across those words she’d had an epiphany. It made her see what she’d had with Robert Gaskin wasn’t love. He’d offered what she’d needed at the time, things she could’ve easily gotten from another man. But her immaturity and insecurity hadn’t allowed her to see that.

  Business had picked up at the Garden Gate
and her summer hours began two hours earlier at noon. Traci managed her morning sickness by eating small meals. And when she felt fatigued, she would lie down on the love seat in the back of the shop.

  Angela had begun bringing her laptop and jump drive to the Garden Gate. Whenever there was a lull in customers or when Traci took over the front desk, she raced to the back and typed a few pages.

  The story seemed to pour out of her like a running faucet. The words came so easily, the characters were so real and the scenes so intensely vivid that fantasy and reality seemed to merge.

  “Do you mind if I leave now?”

  Angela glanced over her shoulder. Traci stood in the doorway with both hands shoved into the pockets of her smock. She was glowing. Her curly hair was longer, her complexion flawless, her face fuller. Her cousin had given up her vegetarian diet for one that included lean meat, chicken and fish.

  “Of course not. Let me save what I’ve typed. How are you feeling?” she asked, tapping several keys.

  “I’m feeling just a little tired today. It could be the weather.”

  Angela turned off her laptop. “Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day,” she chanted.

  Traci took off her smock, hanging it on a wall hook. “I thought you liked the rain.”

  “Only when I don’t have to go out in it. I’m like Miss Divine. I don’t like getting wet.”

  “How’s the spoiled brat?”

  “Spoiled,” Angela confirmed. “Are you sure you’re all right?”