Page 82 of One Southern Summer

Dr. Knight turned and strode toward an area clearly designated for hospital employees. He swiped his badge, the doors parted and he stepped through. She followed him into a wide-open area that felt more like the control center at NASA she’d seen on television than a hospital. Computers sat on workstations; medical people moved about with startling efficiency. Phones rang, patients were rolled in and out on gurneys. Avery wanted to make herself very small and stay out of the way. Somewhere a machine beeped, and a siren grew louder as an ambulance approached the building.

“This way.” Dr. Knight slid a curtain back on a small private alcove. “You may sit with her for a few minutes, but then you’ll need to go. We don’t have formal visiting hours down here. We’re going to move her upstairs as soon as there’s a room available.”

“I won’t be here long. Thank you, Dr. Knight.”

He nodded then turned away, zinging the curtain closed behind him.

Avery swallowed hard then approached the bed, clutching her purse with both hands. “You really gave us quite a scare, Nana.”

Oh, she looked so frail. Her makeup was smudged and her hair matted. A cannula pumped oxygen into her nostrils. Nana’s bony hands rested at her sides. Clear liquid flowed from a bag on a stand into her arm.

Avery lowered her bag to a chair pushed against the wall then moved beside the bed and clasped Nana’s hand in hers. She delicately traced a purple vein visible beneath Nana’s papery, wrinkled skin. “I know you hate to be bossed around, but you really need to get some rest. Then we’ll bring you home and feed you all your favorite foods.”

Emotion thickened her throat. “Get better, Nana. Please. I don’t know what we’d do without you. I love you.”

Chapter Fourteen

So, this just happened. Super exciting!

Cole tapped the video Avery had included with her text message. A man rolled open his box truck’s back door and revealed brand-new cabinets for Imari’s Place. The second video she’d sent featured a crew carrying them inside.

Avery could handle taking delivery, but he still sort of felt like a coward for leaving.

Okay, a lot like a coward. Because he’d done his best to avoid her for the past three days. Ever since Pax showed up in the hospital waiting room, he’d been rattled. That kiss had rocked his world. Finally, Avery Lansing Crawford was his.

And now he was going to go and mess it all up by telling her he’d caved to her grandmother’s schemes and accepted a bribe. She was going to be crushed. Especially after what he’d said to her at the pond.

I care about what happens to you. The things that hurt you hurt me as well.

He’d meant all of that. He really had. But, caught up in the moment, he didn’t think about how they’d sound later. Once she knew the truth. She’d been so honest. So vulnerable. Every time she pulled back the proverbial curtain and shared her fears about not being good enough, she’d offered him another opportunity to confess that he’d allowed her grandmother to manipulate him.

Avery had leaned on his belief in her to push through the doubt, and he didn’t even have the decency to honor her bravery by coming clean.

“Hon, are you all right?” his mother asked. They were on their way to Tupelo, Mississippi. She stared straight ahead, her hands positioned on the steering wheel at a responsible ten and two. Her cruise control was set at a steady 65 mph. Always a rule follower, his mother.

“I’ve messed up big-time, Mom.”

The classical satellite radio station played a familiar concerto through the sedan’s speakers. She fiddled with the volume then cast a quick glance his way. He could almost hear her brain formulating an optimistic, nonjudgmental response. That had always been her go-to coping strategy. What he wouldn’t give to see her just one time emote something that resembled rage. To rail at the unfairness of all she’d lost.

“I’m glad you can get away for a few days. I know this isn’t exactly a vacation what with your speaking engagement in Oxford and all but maybe putting some miles between you and Camellia will help you gain a fresh perspective.”

A fresh perspective about his lie of omission and hasty exit from the hospital? Yeah, well, he’d tried to spin that in a more positive light a dozen times already.

The truth was impossible to ignore.

He ripped open the bag of cheese-flavored chips then plucked one out and shoved it in his mouth. His phone chimed again. He dusted the cheesy powder residue from his fingers then looked at the screen. She’d sent a selfie, featuring that megawatt smile he’d loved since forever.

Have a safe trip. Counting the minutes until you’re home.

He doused the groan climbing up his throat with a swig of diet soda.

Add total dirtbag onto his list of undesirable qualities. Usually, he’d nod in agreement. Feign acceptance of his mother’s sound advice. Because pushing back with anything other than optimism was akin to poking a bunny with a sharp stick. He couldn’t bring himself to be thoughtless and short-tempered with a woman who approached all of life on such an even keel.

Until Avery sent him a text like that. Her message filled him with longing to hold her in his arms again. And for a hot minute, he considered begging his mother to take the next exit, whip around and drive straight to the Huntingtons’ lake house.

But worry quickly squelched the desire to get back home. Back to Avery. He had zero excuses for not telling her the truth before now. Nana’s health scare had bought him some time. He’d used her hospital stay and his commitment to take this quick trip as valid reasons to keep his distance. But now that Maribelle was out of the hospital and expected to make a full recovery, he couldn’t rely on her mishap as a reason to keep avoiding Avery.

“Do you have your speech prepared?” Mom asked.

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