Page 19 of One Southern Summer

Lucille’s normally serene expression puckered. “How could you possibly know what I’m thinking? I’ve barely said a word.”

Honestly. So sensitive. “Now, don’t go and get your knickers in a knot. Your feelings are as plain as the nose on your face.”

Lucille’s chin dropped. The pain flashing in her eyes gave Maribelle pause. But only for a second. She had too much on her mind to be concerned about anyone else’s feelings. “You think I’ve meddled. Stuck my nose where it didn’t belong and caused all sorts of trouble. Let me tell you a thing or two about what it—”

“Maribelle, I never accused you of meddling.” Lucille pressed her lips into a thin line as she leaned forward and slid her cup and saucer onto the table. “Nell and I have every right to be concerned about your behavior.”

She ignored that barbed comment and drew a breath. She’d address the gossip circulating behind her back another time. “Despite what you might haveheard, I didn’t make that donation for my own selfish gain. Lord knows I watched my family burn to the ground once before when my son walked out on those beautiful girls and their precious mother. I’m not going to sit around and watch Preston Yates Crawford get all the glory.”

“You certainly have strong feelings about your granddaughter’s well-being.”

“You’re darn right. And who better than me to advocate for Avery and her children?”

Lucille’s brows arched toward her silver curls. “Well, now I’m not sure if you’re the best person for the role.”

“But how in the world could I live with myself if Cole wasn’t able to move forward with his project because they lacked the necessary funds?”

“Excellent question.”

“See? I knew you’d come around to my way of thinking.” Relief swept over her and she flashed a satisfied smile. To be honest, she’d gotten all fired up and tried to pretend that she didn’t care what her friends thought, but a pang of uncertainty settled under her sternum when Lucille mentioned she and Nell had discussed her family’s ugly situation. They had no business judging. It wasn’t like they’d shared in the experience. “My son had no excuse for behaving the way he did. I still don’t understand it and I won’t take up for him. But I have dedicated my life to rectifying a horrible situation.”

Feeling winded, she slumped back in her chair. There. A ribbon of satisfaction wound around her heart, nudging that pesky uncertainty out of the way like her grandmother used to sweep the dirt off the front porch. If Lucille was going to overstay her welcome, at least she’d have ample time to consider Maribelle’s perspective.

“I have a question.” Lucille twisted her charm bracelet in a slow circle around her bony wrist. “If you don’t mind my asking, what will Avery and her sisters think about your donation to Imari’s Place?”

Maribelle frowned. Now, what kind of a question was that? Just when Lucille had regained Maribelle’s confidence, she had to go and plant a whole garden of doubt with her poorly timed inquiry. “It’s none of their concern.”

Maribelle’s late husband had squirreled away more than a million dollars and left his fortune to her when he’d passed. Since her son had abandoned his family, she’d kept those details to herself. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t acutely aware of how her granddaughters might react to her choices. “You may think I overstepped going to see that adorable Cole Whitaker, but trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

Avery was exactly who he needed on his design team. And on his arm. Even if he wasn’t ready to admit it yet. Maribelle took great pride in her matchmaking skills and credited herself for bringing numerous couples together over the years.

“I have every confidence in your abilities, Maribelle.”

Lucille’s smile was a little too thin to be believable. “You do?”

“Absolutely.” Lucille reached for her tea again. “I just hope you’re prepared for every possible outcome.”

Another cryptic comment. Maribelle filed that one away to examine later. As best as she could tell, Pax hadn’t demonstrated any remorse for ruining his marriage. The only possible outcome Maribelle could envision was making him regret his choices.

“As long as I live, I’ll never get over what Pax has done, leaving my sweet Avery and those precious children. To quote my daddy, may he rest in peace, ‘Somebody oughta teach that boy a lesson.’ Now, revenge isn’t a path I often advocate, mind you. Ask anyone in town who knows me. That’s not my forte.”

Lucille coughed.

Maribelle cast her an annoyed glance then fisted her arthritic hands in her lap. Since she couldn’t go after her son and drag him back to town and force him to support his family, she’d devote all of her time and energy to making sure her granddaughters and her great-grandchildren flourished. As soon as she had this whole mess straightened out, she’d channel her resources into Harper’s marriage prospects. Her decision to teach math was noble and all, but she’d be veering into old maid territory shortly if she didn’t find herself a man.

Her face flushed, Lucille regained her composure. “Avery’s done quite nicely for herself. It’s a shame what’s happened, but she’ll find her way through this.”

Maribelle wanted to believe her. She really did. But all the success in the world couldn’t ease the pain of a humiliating rejection. That lovely girl had lived it twice. First as a daughter and then as a wife. Avery had to rise from the ashes of her fractured family, more successful and deeply admired than ever before.

Maribelle would make sure of it.

He should’ve told her already.

Cole swung hard, punctuating the humid afternoon air with a grunt. The neon green tennis ball popped off his racket and went sailing out of bounds on the other side of the net. Love–thirty.

“You are exceptionally awful at this today.” Hemby swiped his tanned forearm across his face then pulled another ball from the pocket of his shorts. “What’s the problem?”

“I did something ludicrous.” Cole spun his racket in his hands and rocked side to side, pretending to focus.

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