Page 64 of One Southern Summer

Of course she had no idea how she’d get them the photo. She’d likely exhausted all her favors with Lucille. And she wasn’t about to ask Olive.

A woman named Genevieve had started volunteering at Westwood Manor. Maribelle sensed a connection. Genevieve had offered to do anything to help. She’d even left her number on a card. Maribelle had tucked the card in her Bible for safekeeping. She’d call and ask Genevieve to help her as soon as she got back to her apartment.

She arranged the napkin on the dining room table, retrieved her phone and snapped several photos. Her eyes weren’t what they used to be and she had to be certain she got this right. No do-overs. Satisfied, she slipped her phone back in her pocketbook then returned to Avery’s room as quickly as her tired old legs allowed. Her hands trembled, but that was probably just from excitement. Or nerves. To be honest, she had been more nervous than a cat in a room full of rockers when she’d put the napkin on the table.

Her family had chosen a boat ride over eating lunch together, but she’d turned a disappointment into a victory. Too bad she’d have to keep her plan under wraps for now. She was so focused on putting the napkin back and rearranging the notebook in the bag the way she remembered that she didn’t hear footsteps in the hall.

“Nana?”

Maribelle gasped and whirled around.

Julene stood in the doorway, clutching two bags from the deli. The aroma of fried chicken floated on the air.

“Darling, you scared me to death.” Maribelle pressed her hand to her chest and willed her pulse to quit racing.

Julene’s eyes toggled between the bag on the floor and Maribelle. Her brows tented. “Nana, what are you doing in here?”

Chapter Eleven

“I’m in way over my head.” Cole dragged his palm over his face. “I should have told her the truth long before now.”

He sat with Hemby in a back booth at The Flowering Vine, drowning his regret with a tall glass of soda and loaded nachos. Sunday evening’s thunderstorm had turned into a dreary Monday. Rain still spattered the window beside them. Their weekly tennis match was a washout so they’d convened for an early dinner. Hemby’s wife and kids had left for vacation in Gulf Shores. Hemby wasn’t joining them until Thursday, making him a captive audience for Cole’s pity party.

Except Hemby wasn’t having it. “We’ve been over this already. You don’t owe her an explanation.”

“You weren’t on that boat with us yesterday. She’s upset. People’s comments are hurting her, and that’s my fault.” Cole jabbed at the ice in his soda with his straw then reached for another chip from the platter between them. He didn’t want to keep having this conversation but he couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that stalked him. Some desperately optimistic part of him hoped that tonight might be the one time Hemby finally said something that assuaged his guilt. So far this was not that time.

“Listen, she never has to know her grandmother made a significant contribution to your foundation. I’m assuming a portion of that is covering Avery’s consulting fee?”

“Yes, we’re paying her.”

“Good. Then all I have to add is I’m disappointed you haven’t kissed her yet.” Mischief gleamed in Hemby’s eyes as he pulled a chip from the pile of nachos. Cheese stretched in a trail from the plate. He plucked the strand free and draped it over the black olive and tomatoes already heaped on top of the chip. “You’re getting all torn up over nothing.”

Cole snorted. “I’d hardly call this nothing. Someone took our picture and leaked it to the press. She’s told me from the get-go that she’s the wrong person for this project, but I didn’t listen. When she finds out her grandmother’s been meddling she is going to be irate.”

Avery had always wanted to be known and appreciated. He’d be lying if he argued that she didn’t enjoy the limelight at least a little bit. He sighed. “Here’s the thing. I’m starting to worry that if the two of us are all anyone really wants to hear more about, then our relationship will overshadow the foundation.”

“You’ve got to hop off this train of thought. It’s taking you in a pointless circle.” Hemby pulled his soda closer. “This might not be playing out exactly like you’d planned, but you absolutely did the right thing for the foundation. Human trafficking is now part of the daily conversation in this country because of you. You and Avery together. That photo shoved Imari’s Place into the national spotlight. So how about you flip the script, my man? What’s better than that?”

“And ignore the collateral damage?”

Hemby rolled his eyes. “Are you hearing anything I’m saying? The house will be spectacular when it’s finished, so keep focusing on everything that’s going right and who will benefit.”

Yeah, he’d tried that angle. It only made him feel better for a few minutes then he imagined the devastation when Avery found out he’d duped her. She’d been so honest. So vulnerable. He’d dismissed her concerns at every turn. What if this all came back around and caused more heartache than he’d ever anticipated?

“The way I see it, you gave Avery a legitimate opportunity to do some damage control. She tried retreating and hiding out at her folks’ place or whatever but this project has brought her right back into the public eye.”

“That’s the problem.” Cole shot him a look. “They’re making a spectacle out of our...relationship and the focus should be on the larger cause.”

“No, what she’s doing is on brand for her wholesome image. Trust me. This is all going to work in your favor.”

“Are you moonlighting as a marketing expert now?”

Hemby finished chewing then took a sip of his drink. “Mock me if you want but you know I’m right. People are curious about her. And about you. They admire people who are doing something that truly matters. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

Ha. Unless it crushed Avery’s spirit and made her not want to have anything to do with him. “Pax and Trey are coming to town this weekend. She hasn’t said much, but I know they’re promoting the book and spending time with the kids.”

Hemby’s expression turned serious. “That could be tough to navigate. Like I said, flip the script. Use the circumstances to your advantage. Post more pictures.”

---