Page 94 of One Southern Summer

Avery checked the time on the stove’s clock. Mama was right. They were supposed to pick Addison and Hayes up from Pax and Trey’s place in less than thirty minutes.

“I’ll help make the beds if Julene will go over and get the kids.” Harper unloaded crackers, peanut butter and a container of almonds into the pantry.

“Sure.” Julene quickly unpacked a small box with dish soap, a package of sponges and a hand towel. “Is your stroller still in the back of your car?”

“Yes.” Avery found her keys and handed them over. “Please make sure you get the diaper bag from Pax. It has Hayes’s current favorite pacifier.”

“Got it.” Julene pocketed the keys. “I’ll help Greer arrange the living room furniture then I’ll go.”

“Wait.” Avery folded her mama and sisters into a spontaneous group hug. “Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“We’re going to miss living with y’all, but we understand you need your own space,” Harper said, blinking back tears.

Avery’s throat tightened with emotion. “I’m going to miss living with you too. At first it was so hard to move in with y’all. I really didn’t want to be back in Camellia. But now that I’ve had the opportunity to make a fresh start and see other people get their shot at redemption, I’m glad we all get to be here together.”

“That makes me so happy.” Mama’s eyes glistened. “It’s good to see you getting your sparkle back. And I’m so sorry about everything that’s happened. We shouldn’t have meddled in your business.”

“It’s all right.” Avery gently rubbed her mother’s back. “I know you all acted with my best interests in mind.”

“What about Cole?” Harper swiped at the moisture on her cheeks with her fingertips. “Did he have your best interests in mind?”

Avery pulled the plastic lid off a container of chocolate chip cookies. “I don’t know. I’m not quite ready to go there yet.”

“I was hoping you’d be his date for the gala this weekend.”

Avery wrinkled her nose. “We haven’t spoken to each other in a while.”

Three months to be exact.

Mama leaned against the counter and reached for a cookie. “He loves you, sweetie. Has for years.”

Avery sighed and grabbed two cookies. “Evidently that was obvious to everyone except for me.”

“I’d better go help Greer.” Julene squeezed Avery’s arm then left the room.

“And we’d better get the beds made.” Harper tugged on Mama’s arm. “C’mon, she doesn’t want to rehash all this right now. Today is supposed to represent a fresh start.”

“Thank you.” Avery slanted a grateful look toward her sister. “Well said.”

Harper and Mama climbed the stairs to the second floor. Avery polished off both cookies, took a long sip of water from the bottle she’d carried in her tote bag then went into the living room to check on Greer.

“This looks great.” She ran her hand along the back of the faux velvet sofa she’d found in a consignment shop.

“You like it?” Greer stood in the middle of the room, hands on his hips, surveying the cozy space. He’d arranged the side table between the high-back armchairs she’d found at a local thrift shop. They’d been recovered in a stunning blue paisley print.

The coffee table sat in front of the sofa and would serve as Hayes’s temporary play area. He’d started cruising around furniture lately. She’d intentionally bought a benign, inexpensive table because he’d undoubtedly slam anything he could get his hands on against the flat surface.

“Your mama and I are very proud of you,” Greer said quietly. “I hope you know that.”

Avery grew still, gripping the corner of the sofa with her fingers. She’d always had a great relationship with Greer. He wasn’t big on words of affirmation, though.

“Thank you, Greer. I appreciate everything you all have done for the kids and me. I’m sure it wasn’t easy having us invade.” She tried for a smile but Greer’s expression remained serious.

His gray eyes found hers. “Cole never meant to hurt you. Maribelle didn’t execute her plans in the most conventional manner, but her heart was in the right place. We all just wanted to help you succeed.”

“I made Addison’s bed. Where are your—” Mama came into the room then stopped abruptly. “Uh-oh. What kind of serious conversation am I interrupting?”

“Greer was telling me how much Cole cares for me. But I can’t be with a man who betrayed me. Not again.”

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