Page 71 of One Southern Summer

“Closer to seventy-two. But who’s counting.” Avery tunneled her hands through her hair and pressed her palms against her scalp, willing her brain not to conjure up every possible worst-case scenario.

“He’s probably going to drive the kids straight to his parents’ house, anyway.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Avery groaned. “Addison hasn’t seen Dalton and Whitney very much and Hayes doesn’t even know them.”

Addison stopped turning in circles and looked up. “Who do I not knowed?”

Drat. Why did kids always hear the juiciest parts of adults’ conversations?

Avery exchanged worried glances with her mother then reached over and smoothed Addison’s hair back. “Your dad’s probably going to have some people with him that you haven’t seen in a while.”

“Like strangers?” Addison’s eyes saucered. “I’m not supposed to talk to those.”

“That’s right you’re not.” Avery’s heart squeezed. “Don’t worry, your daddy is going to take good care of you. Your grandmother Whitney, Papa Dalton and Uncle Trey will be with you too. Maybe your new friend Olivia Claire will come over to play.”

She silently prayed that she hadn’t offered her precious child an empty promise. She had zero control over what happened with Addison and Hayes once they left here. Past experience had proven Pax to be an involved, attentive father. Trey had always been great with kids. If this was their new normal, she’d have to be brave and embrace it.

“Someone’s at the gate.” Greer ambled into the room, staring at his phone. “Cadillac Escalade. Black with Alabama plates. Do you want me to talk to him?”

Oh, dear. Not a good idea. Avery shook her head. “Let him in.” She could do this. She was a grown woman, capable of handling this exchange like a mature adult. She forced herself to suck in a deep calming breath.

“Is it my daddy? Is it him?” Addison scampered after Greer as he strode toward the door.

“Addison, wait.” Avery called her back. “Why don’t you go get your suitcase and your pillow?”

“Oh, yeah.” Addison reversed course then raced down the hallway toward her bedroom.

“Well, if this cloud has a silver lining, I think it’s safe to say you don’t have to worry about her.” Mama’s weak smile didn’t fully mask her concern. Greer stepped out on the front porch and quietly closed the door.

Avery rubbed her palm across her chest, as if to smooth down the jagged pain this interaction provoked. She didn’t want to see Pax. She didn’t want him to take their kids, not even for an hour. How could she possibly spend a whole weekend away from Addison and Hayes?

“Want me to get Hayes in his car seat?” Mama asked.

Avery hesitated. Mama would handle this for her if she stepped aside. But if she was ever going to reach a place where she’d forgiven Pax and Trey, then she had to take small steps forward. And keeping the kids from seeing him wasn’t right. Yet even though months had passed since she’d breathed the same air or even lived in the same zip code, she still felt ill-equipped to speak to him again.

A few minutes later Addison barreled into the room, pillow tucked under her arm and her tiny wheeled suitcase in tow. “I’m ready, Mama.” She grinned, as if destined for a week-long visit to a deluxe villa at a theme park.

“Good girl. One second while I get your brother buckled in his car seat.”

“No, no more seconds. I don’t want to wait,” Addison whined. She dropped her pillow on the floor and popped a fist on her hip then shot Avery her most exasperated glare.

Avery’s mother snorted then smothered her laughter behind her palm.

“Addison,” Avery scolded. Except she didn’t really have any clout. Her father was about two minutes from swooping in like a hero in a fairy tale and whisking Addison away from all the boring demands of her life, like structured bedtime and no sassy talk.

“Here, let me help you carry your things to the car.” Mama set her tumbler down.

“Oh, thank you.” Addison heaved a dramatic sigh then ran toward the front door, her suitcase tipping on two wheels as if it could hardly keep up.

“See you later,” Avery whispered, hot tears burning her eyes. Once Addison saw Pax, she probably wouldn’t even bother with a hug and a kiss. “Come here, sweet boy.” She freed Hayes from the baby swing, settled him in her arms then nuzzled his neck. She drank in the delightful baby fragrance and he rewarded her with a happy screech as he grabbed a fistful of her curls.

She didn’t want to let him go.

“A boy needs his father, Avery,” she grumbled, parroting Pax’s comments from their previous conversation. She intentionally exaggerated his Southern drawl for her own amusement. And also to keep from crying. Hayes gnawed on his finger, his eyes studying her as she buckled him into his car seat. His brow puckered then he arched back, resisting her efforts.

“I know exactly how you feel.” She forced herself to click the buckles into place.

A car door slammed outside then Addison’s shrill greeting punctured the air. “Daddy!”

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