Page 6 of One Southern Summer

“But if you had the funding, you’d proceed with your plans?”

“In theory, yes.” Cole smoothed some crumbs from his unfinished bagel off his desk.

“What if I guaranteed you the funding you needed in exchange for offering Avery a job?”

Cole’s mouth went dry. “I—I mean—I think—that—uh, does Avery know you’re here?”

Maribelle ran her fingers through her short, curly white hair. “We haven’t discussed next steps.”

“So that’s a no.” He leaned back in his chair and linked his arms across his chest. “I’m guessing with a baby and a little girl to look out for, she’ll have more pressing objectives than decorating a house that doesn’t even exist yet.”

“Or it might thrill her to have something to occupy her mind.” Maribelle smiled. “You know Avery. She’s at her best when the creative juices are flowing.”

“I’m touched that you reached out to me during your family’s darkest hours, but I’m afraid I can’t accept your generous proposal.” The words pained him, and he regretted them the second they left his mouth, but he had to call her bluff. No way she had access to that kind of funding.

Maribelle’s right eye twitched, and a tense silence filled the space between them. “Very well. I guess I’ll have to rip this up.” She extracted a check from her handbag, unfolded it long enough for him to see the six digits then pinched it between her fingers. “What a pity.”

Surprise bolted through his veins. He flung up one palm. “Now, hold on a minute.”

She paused, the check only a second from being torn in two. “Care to reconsider?”

“Where did you get two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?”

“That’s none of your business. Do we have a deal or not?”

Her inscrutable expression made him sweat. “I need to know that Avery is in agreement.”

“You let me worry about Avery.” Maribelle pushed the check across the desk. “I hope you and your board of directors have a productive meeting this afternoon. I’m certain they’ll have no trouble coming up with the additional funds you need.”

“Thank you, Maribelle.” The words were inadequate, but all he could muster.

“You’re welcome, darlin’.” She pushed to her feet. “No need to walk me out.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Cole stood on wobbly legs and waited until she left the office.

This changes everything.With more funding, the housing options expanded. With a safe place to live, the women could focus on work and furthering their education. Lord willing, they wouldn’t have to return to life on the streets or worse, their pimps.

As he sank into his chair, his breath rushed out in a groan. He should be ecstatic. Instead, guilt blew in like a storm rolling in off the Gulf. He hadn’t spoken to Avery in years, but he knew one thing for sure. If she found out her grandmother bribed him, she would be furious. Cole wiped his sweaty palm on his pants then reached for the check. He’d have to make sure Avery never discovered the truth.

Chapter Two

One simple post. That’s all she needed. One photo with a brief caption to announce her resurgence. Her social media resurgence, anyway. If only the rest of her professional life could be revived as easily.

Avery sat on the white linen sofa in Mama and Greer’s lake house, clutching her phone in her hand, and scanned the room for inspiration. The soothing color scheme mirrored the outdoors. Green-and blue-patterned pillows dotted the sofas and the armchairs flanking the white brick fireplace. Between the white shiplap on the walls, green plants on the rustic wood mantel and baskets artfully arranged on the floor, the living room looked like Joanna Gaines herself had blessed it with her sensibilities. The whole room was stunning.

She shuddered to think what might happen if Addison had her way with the furniture all slipcovered in white. Hayes wasn’t crawling yet, but he’d figure it out soon. She envisioned him gripping the sharp edges of the modern wood coffee table to pull himself up. Maybe Mama and Greer wouldn’t mind if she babyproofed a few things. That table spelled trouble. The baskets underneath needed to go too. Hayes would probably empty every single one. Or chew on them.

“Is everything all right?” Harper, Avery’s sister, sat on the love seat with Hayes napping in her arms. Harper’s curious gaze pinged between Avery’s face and her phone. “Did someone send you a nasty DM?”

“I haven’t bothered to look.” Social media had been easy to ignore. Mostly. If she didn’t pay attention, then she didn’t have to see what people said. “But now I feel like I should get back out there.”

Harper’s smooth brows scrunched together. “Give yourself grace. Y’all have been through it.”

“Yeah, well, hiding isn’t going to change anything.” Avery held up her phone and opened the camera. “And I need to earn some money.”

She’d start simple. An appealing photo of a vibrant bouquet in a glass vase beside a stack of home decor magazines. Mama’s coffee table wasn’t kid-friendly, but it made for an attractive background. Surely it would gain some likes and comments.

Right?

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