Page 23 of One Southern Summer

Greer hesitated, undoubtedly waiting for Harper and Julene to comment. When they kept quiet, he spoke. “My advice would be to honor your word and follow through on this. It might lead to future endeavors.”

Future endeavors. The tactfulness of his words did little to ease the sting. She had to think about the future and providing for Addison and Hayes. Through the slider, she caught a glimpse of Mama and Addison down on the dock. Her heart pinched. Pax was coming to Camellia. Would he want to see the kids?

“I’m curious.” Harper’s voice pierced Avery’s thoughts. “Why would you say yes to helping Cole?”

“Because he asked me.” It was true. He’d looked at her with those hazel eyes and she saw the earnestness there, his passion for helping young women in a desperate situation and she couldn’t say no. Didn’t want to say no. This was meaningful work. Her involvement in the process—no matter how small—made a lasting impact. It was the kind of work she’d said she’d been looking for.

Except she couldn’t overlook the fact that even when she’d been completely honest with him, he’d brushed off her concerns. She’d tried to politely decline his offer, yet he’d insisted she was the woman for the job. When she’d tried to explain that she wasn’t exactly qualified, he’d misconstrued her doubt as humility. Wasn’t that the way with Cole? Always placing her on a pedestal? It felt good to be admired and praised by a man again, instead of overlooked and discarded.

But could she really handle this project? There wasn’t a producer or an assistant or even a camera operator to dress up her decisions with a clever shot that tricked the eye. This home was more than a cute idea or an opportunity to earn a commission. Imari’s Place meant a life-changing opportunity for women who had lived through unimaginable circumstances.

She drew a deep breath then picked up a pen and scrawled her signature across the blank space at the bottom of the contract.

“There.” She gave her sisters and Greer a resolute nod. As if the definitive gesture paired with her signature absolved all her doubts and insecurities.

Pax had done a number on her. Healing still seemed like a destination on the other side of a canyon-sized wound.

That’s why she had to keep moving forward. Even if she had to drag her latent creativity kicking and screaming into the light. No, this wasn’t the opportunity she’d envisioned when she thought about going back to work. But this was not the time to ignore an open door. People would be talking, and she was going to make sure they had something positive to discuss besides her failed marriage.

Chapter Five

The pungent scent of diesel fuel filled the air. It had to be nearly a hundred degrees already, but Cole couldn’t stop a smile. The backhoe punched through the earth and scooped up a bucketload of dirt. As the equipment operator dumped a pile of coppery red clay on the ground then went back for more, Cole’s throat tightened. He removed his hard hat and swiped his palm across his face.

Seventeen years had passed since his sister had disappeared. For a few months, he and his family had clung to the hope that she’d be rescued from whatever stronghold had trapped her in its clutches. Trafficking? Had she been murdered and her remains undiscovered? Those questions had cycled through his mind countless times. Until the investigators found her body. It never got any easier thinking about her demise.

There wasn’t anything he could do about Kim’s murder. But helping others and making a difference in the world eased his pain. A little.

He put his hat back on then reached for his phone to take a picture. Every time the foundation raised more money or another woman was rescued, Cole documented the milestone. Sometimes he sent the pictures to Millie Kay for sharing on social media. Often he stored a folder of the photos on his phone as a reminder that they were making progress.

One bucketload of dirt at a time.

Thankfully Dale, his new project manager, had stopped to get iced coffee, and the women who lived in the house had left for work already, so there wasn’t anyone else here to see him getting emotional. At nine in the morning, the early summer humidity pressed in hinting at what was in store for Alabama in the weeks and months ahead. Sunshine warmed his back and spilled across the soon-to-be expanded Imari’s Place. The current facility had served its purpose, but it was long overdue for an upgrade. He captured a few more photos, sent them to Millie Kay then turned to the architectural plans he’d spread across the hood of his car.

Adrenaline surged through his veins as he mentally calculated what this expansion offered. It was more than a home for sixteen additional women. The buildings offered a refuge, a second chance at a life these ladies never imagined possible. Thinking about the lives that would be impacted with the sudden influx of cash inspired him to do more, to keep pushing, to keep fighting against the injustices of this world.

Sweat trickled down his spine. The fabric of his polo shirt stuck to his lower back. Dale must’ve stopped to take a phone call, or else run into a line at the coffee shop. He should’ve been back by now. Another twenty minutes in this heat and he’d need to find some water. Movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Finally. Coffee.

A beige SUV followed by a News Channel Nine van and Millie Kay in her compact car rolled around the cul-de-sac then parked on the street nearby.

What in the world?

Millie Kay rolled down her window and shot him an apologetic grimace. Cole couldn’t hear her over the rumble of the backhoe, but he thought she mouthed “I didn’t know.”

The back passenger door of the SUV swung open and Adrian Caldwell, Camellia’s mayor, emerged.

Seriously?

The van driver cut the engine. A camera operator and a woman who often covered local events and breaking news emerged. Who’d summoned the press and the mayor?

Another vehicle arrived, a red Smart Fortwo hatchback, and two young women stepped out. Cole didn’t recognize them. They quickly followed the reporter and camera operator as they trailed the mayor toward Cole.

His assistant swooped in, a bottle of water and...was that her makeup compact?

“I’m so sorry. If I’d known this was going to happen, I would’ve helped you prepare.” She shoved the bottle of water into his hand. “Give me two seconds and I’ll have you powdered and—”

“Did you just saypowdered?” Cole accepted the water but took a giant step back. Unfortunately, she had him pinned against the curb.

“Yes, this is powder.” She gestured to the plastic circle in her hand. “We can’t have you looking shiny and flustered on the five o’clock news.”

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