Page 93 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

Imani stared, dumbfounded. Had he really just cut her off? Not only that, he’d implied that she was upset when she’d just been direct and blown off her idea as if she’d suggested weekly pool parties or something. The meeting adjourned and then the rest of the board members began to leave the room. Imani walked over to Bill.

“Dr. Robinson, I just want to let you know why I recommended the training. I’ve noticed this is a problem in our practice.”

“How so?” he asked, reminding her of an annoyed school principal by the way he looked over the tops of his glasses at her. She’d have to remind Halle to never look at students like that.

“I tend to get more of the patients that are considered difficult when it’s mostly that the other doctors don’t want to deal with them. Whether it’s a Black woman they say has too much attitude or a trans patient that makes the staff member feel uncomfortable because their preferred pronoun isn’t one they agree with.”

His eyes widened and he nodded. “Ahh, this is about you not wanting to handle the workload.”

Imani frowned. “What? No, I’m trying to relay a legitimate issue.”

“Dr. Kemp, all doctors have to deal with difficult patients. A training class won’t relieve you of your duties. You’re the hospital’s doctor of the year. That title comes because you are good at what you do and not because you bring up erroneous ideas. I’d recommend you attend a few more meetings and get a better feel of the board.”

He nodded at her as if she were a child who didn’t understand before turning and walking away. Imani stared at his retreating back. She’d assumed she was only on the board to be a figurehead. That being named doctor of the year meant she was just a poster child for everything the hospital said it wanted to be. She hadn’t expected them to be so blatant about it.

Sighing, Imani left the boardroom. Her friend Towanda was outside the waiting room. Imani smiled and went over to her friend. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a moment between patients, so I came to see how it went. Did they listen to your idea?”

Imani sighed. “No, I was accused of not wanting to deal with difficult patients.”

Towanda’s head jerked back and she scowled. “What? Doesn’t that go against you being the doctor of the year? You got the title because you’re so good with all patients, difficult or not.”

“That’s what they say. Not exactly what they mean.” She rubbed her temple as they went down the hall. “I wonder if I should’ve just stayed in Peachtree Cove.”

Towanda bumped her with her elbow. “That’s the third or fourth time you’ve said that since you came back.”

Imani frowned. “No, I haven’t.”

Towanda nodded. “Yes, you have. Admit it, you want to go back to your hometown. You miss small-town life.”

She missed Cyril. She also missed Halle and Tracey. She missed helping her mom at the flower shop. She missed running into old friends and seeing the things they were up to. She missed people who appreciated her work as a doctor like Kaden.

“Maybe I do, but my mom hasn’t made any mention of going back. She’s been through enough calling off the wedding. Whatever she wants, I’ll give.”

Her cell phone rang. Imani pulled it out of her jacket pocket and smiled. “Speak of the devil.”

Towanda grinned. “Tell your mom I said hey. I’ve got to get back to my floor. Call me later and we can curse the hospital administration together.”

Imani laughed. “Sounds like a plan.” She waved at Towanda as she got on the elevator and answered her mom’s call. “Hello.”

“Imani! I need to go back to Peachtree Cove.”

The panic in her mom’s voice erased the smile from her face. Had something happened to Preston? Or worse, was Cyril hurt? “Why? What’s going on?”

“It’s Halle. She was in an accident. Shania called me all shaken up. I’ve got to go back and check on her.”

The panic she felt didn’t ease. Instead worry jumped in with it. She didn’t even think twice before saying, “I’ll go with you.”

thirty-seven

Imani handed Halle a glass of orange juice before fluffing the pillow behind her cousin. They’d arrived in Peachtree Cove the day before. Her mom had insisted on going straight to Halle to make sure she was okay, and Imani readily agreed. Unfortunately, Halle wasn’t one to enjoy being waited on hand and foot.

She took the orange juice with her good hand and awkwardly swatted Imani away with the arm in a cast. “Will you stop treating me like I’m on my deathbed? I just have a broken arm.” Halle grinned as she pushed Imani away.

“I can’t help it. You look like you’re in pain.” Imani moved away and sat on the love seat opposite Halle resting on the couch in her living room.

“I don’t look like I’m in pain. I look pitiful,” Halle said with an eye roll before taking a sip of juice.

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