Page 85 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

“I came here to see you,” Gayle said.

“And you are?” Linda asked. Irritation added steel to her voice.

Imani stood next to her mom. “This is Cyril’s aunt Gayle. Mr. Preston’s sister-in-law.” She didn’t need to add the sister-in-law part, her mom sucked in a breath with the first sentence.

“Former, sister-in-law,” Gayle said. “I don’t claim him after what he did to my sister.”

Imani didn’t know what she expected her mom to do, but it wasn’t to cross her arms and raise a brow at Gayle. “And what exactly did he do to your sister?”

Gayle raised her chin. “He murdered her.”

Linda didn’t flinch. “From the way I understand it, the police arrested the guy responsible for the murder. He confessed to that and a few others and is now behind bars. Do you have evidence that’s different?”

Imani’s gaze swung from Gayle to her mom. She had not expected that response. After her mom asked for her help canceling all the contracts for the wedding, she hadn’t mentioned Preston. Only when she had a moment like before when she wondered what he was going to cook or mentioned remembering to tell him something. Then she brushed it aside and pretended as if she hadn’t brought it up.

Gayle scoffed and straightened her shoulders. “That man may have killed her, but Preston is still responsible. You can’t tell me he didn’t hear anything.”

“Preston loved his late wife. I don’t believe he would have let her be taken away like that.”

“How do you sleep through something like that,” Gayle shot back.

“I’m sure that’s a question he asks himself every day,” Linda said in an even voice. “Now, if you just came here to cause problems then you’ve wasted your time. He’s got enough to live with without you coming down here making a ruckus.”

“If you trust him, then why did you call off the wedding? I heard about that today.”

Linda uncrossed her arms and shrugged. “I have my reasons, but understand that they don’t have a thing to do with you.”

“I only came here to try and give you a warning. I’m trying to look out for you.”

“Are you really trying to look out for me, or are you trying to make him suffer even more?”

Gayle pressed her lips together. Anger flashed in her eyes, but beneath that was pain. “I did what I felt I needed to do. That’s all I can do. Regardless of why you called it off, I’m glad. He doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not when my sister...” Her voice broke off. Gayle sniffed and blinked several times. “Either way, everything worked out for the best.”

Linda took a step forward. “I pray you find peace,” she said in a soft, comforting voice.

Gayle swallowed hard, before spinning on her heel and rushing out the door. Imani quickly went over and turned the lock. She didn’t want Gayle or anyone else to come in. Spinning back around, she studied her mom.

“Are you okay?”

Linda took in a shuddered breath then nodded. “I am.”

“Why did you defend him?”

Linda shrugged. “Because he didn’t do anything to his wife. He’s suffered enough.”

She turned and went back to the counter. Imani immediately followed. She had not expected her mom to defend Preston, not when she’d avoided talking about him. She’d assumed her mom was still angry or hurt by him not telling her the entire story. She expected Linda to be angry or frustrated, but instead she appeared chill.

“I thought you hated him?”

“I don’t hate him.” Linda went behind the counter and began shutting down the register.

“But you called off the wedding.”

“Because you were right. We were rushing things. And, when you came in here the other day and told me everything, I realized that Preston didn’t trust me.” When Imani frowned Linda continued. “I already knew the story behind him and his wife. When he told me how she died, I looked him up. He never said anything, and I didn’t say anything because I figured it was hard enough to lose your wife like that without being considered a suspect.”

“Wait, you knew?”

Linda pursed her lips. “You really think I didn’t look him up before I started dating him? After everything with your dad?”

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