Page 34 of One Southern Summer

“The least you could do is be reasonable. I’m not letting you parade two little kids across the stage at your daddy’s church. No photo ops. No public appearances. They can’t ride on your bus and you may not leave the state. And Hayes doesn’t take a bottle, so there’s that.”

Pax muttered an obscenity. “You’re not making this very easy.”

“Nope, I’m not.” She clamped her mouth shut to keep from saying something hateful.

“I’ll be in town for three days. I’d like at least one day with Addison. She doesn’t need your constant supervision.”

“True, but she does deserve an explanation about why you abandoned her, so make sure you have that speech memorized.”

“You’re the one who demanded full custody. I’ll be sure to explain to Addison what that means exactly.”

Heat flushed her skin. The man was impossible. “Is there anything else, Pax? I need to go.”

“I want time with Hayes too.”

“Fine.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously. He requires two naps a day, though, so you’ll need to plan around his schedule.”

“I’ll stay at my parents’ place. There will be plenty of extra hands if I need support.”

Chill bumps pebbled her skin. What did that mean? Was he traveling with an entourage? She couldn’t bring herself to ask about Trey. “All right then. Father’s Day weekend it is.”

“Perfect.”

They agreed to talk again and arrange for a hand off when Pax arrived in Camellia. Then she ended the call and tossed her phone on the bed. Her whole body trembled. What had she done? If Pax and Trey found out Cole had hired her, they’d surely tell anyone who’d listen that she wasn’t qualified to design the inside of a shoebox, much less an entire house. She had to find a way to prove to Cole and everyone else that she was worthy of this opportunity.

Cole climbed out of his car and stood in the Huntingtons’ driveway, the apology he’d rehearsed at least a dozen times spooling through his head. If not for the paper shopping bag of frozen custard and his desperate need to make things right, he might’ve climbed back in his car and hightailed it out of there. But he’d already done that once today and carried the shame and humiliation to prove it.

Whitaker, you’re a bonehead.

Bag in hand and his stomach in knots, he trudged toward the front door. At least he was approaching under the cover of darkness, although someone inside the house had probably seen him on the security camera when he came through the gates.

Don’t overthink this. Just tell her you’re sorry.

He reached for the doorbell then hesitated. It was after eight. The kids might be sleeping already. He knocked softly instead. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, he clutched the paper bag tighter. He half expected Greer to come to the door and block his entry with a few pointed questions, followed closely by Julene and Harper, who’d probably add their own commentary regarding his epic departure.

To his surprise, the door opened and Avery greeted him. Her brows curved in surprise. Then she spotted the bag in his hands.

“Is that frozen custard from Marlowe’s?”

He could only nod. Did she know how beautiful she was? In her faded Camellia High T-shirt, denim shorts with the cuffs rolled up and her curls tamed back with a wide red fabric headband, she looked so much like the Avery he used to know that he could hardly breathe. His gaze landed on her toenails painted the color of red rose petals and all coherent thought left the building.

She didn’t seem to notice that he wasn’t able to speak. Grabbing his arm, she tugged him inside. “You have impeccable timing.”

Ha. Not exactly. He closed the door then followed her into the kitchen.

“Greer and Mama took Nana out for supper. My sisters are gone and the kids are finally both asleep.” She reached into the cabinet, pulled out two colorful enamel bowls then plucked two spoons from the drawer and set them on the counter. She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

“I—I’m sorry.”

“For what?” She opened and closed drawers until she found the ice cream scoop.

“For not inviting you to the groundbreaking. And for today. I’m sorry I was such a coward, leaving you the way I did.”

“Yeah, what happened to my invitation? Lost in the mail?”

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