Page 15 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

Imani hurried up the stairs and opened the front door. The smell of potpourri met her, and the sunlight coming through the windows gleamed off the polished wood surfaces. The entry room was converted into a warm and welcoming reception area with thick sofas and upholstered chairs in front of a huge fireplace. A young woman sat behind the reception desk. She wore a yellow polo shirt with The Fresh Place Inn on the front and looked up from her cell phone to smile at Imani.

“Welcome to The Fresh Place Inn, I’m Monique, how can I help you?”

Imani crossed over and placed her hand on the smooth countertop. “Hey, my mom is getting married here and we’ve got a meeting to look over the venue.”

Monique nodded. “Ms. Kemp, yes, her appointment is in thirty minutes.”

“I know. I’m early. I was hoping to see Tracey Thompson. Is she available?”

“Mrs. Thompson? Yes, she’s in the kitchen going over the menu for the day. I’ll buzz her.”

Imani thanked her and waited for her to get Mrs. Thompson. Even though Tracey had eloped with Bernard Thompson after high school Imani still was surprised when her friend was referred to as Mrs. Thompson. The elopement had surprised her and Halle. Imani hadn’t held back on her opinion that marrying Bernard, no matter how nice he’d been back then, wasn’t a good idea. Thankfully, her doubt hadn’t ruined her friendship with Tracey, and time had proven Imani wrong. They were still married and apparently were doing well with the opening of the inn.

The sound of footsteps preceded Tracey entering the reception area. “Imani! Girl, it’s been forever!” Tracey exclaimed before rushing across the room.

“Tracey!” Imani exclaimed before opening her arms and hugging her old friend.

Tracey’s hugs were just as tight as they’d been when they were younger. She hugged you as if she’d squeeze the life out of you. Tracey was just as stunning as she’d been in high school. Tall and curvy with cinnamon brown skin and the brightest smile Imani had ever seen. She wore her hair in long sienna-colored braids which were pulled up into a high ponytail that made her look ten years younger than thirty-five.

“You look amazing!” Imani said.

Tracey glanced away before pressing a hand to her hip. “Well, Halle convinced me that monthly facials were worth the price, so I guess that’s why.” She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to sign up for that, too.” She looked around. “This is you? Like, for real, Old Man Shubert left you his house?”

Tracey sucked her teeth and shook her head. “That man didn’t give anything away. He offered to sell it to me a year before he died. I just happened to talk him down to a ridiculously low price. You know what I’m saying?”

“I think it was more than that. That man always liked you better than the rest of us.”

“Back in the day I always figured he felt sorry for me. That or he was an old pervert expecting me to be like my momma, but he actually turned out to be okay.”

Imani bumped Tracey’s shoulder. “Everyone knew you weren’t your mom.”

Tracey raised a brow. “I appreciate you, but let’s be real.”

Imani shrugged, deciding to let it go. Tracey’s dad was an alcoholic, and her mom hadn’t bothered to hide the affairs she’d had with men around town. Tracey had grown up being both embarrassed by her family and quick to defend them, with words or her fists, against anyone who dared say something to her face.

“Forget those people. I’m amazed you talked him down to a good selling price. That man was stingy.”

Tracey laughed but nodded. “That’s true. When I asked him why he offered to sell it directly to me instead of putting it on the market, he said I needed a safety net.” She sighed and a sad smile crossed her face. “Turns out he might be right.”

Imani frowned. “Why, what’s going on?”

Tracey waved the words way and grinned. “Don’t we all need a safety net? I’ve only been open a year and I’m still trying to make this place successful. I don’t know if you heard, but Peachtree Cove is up for Best Small Town in Travel Magazine?”

Imani cocked her head to the side. “Seriously? Peachtree Cove?”

“Yep. I know it seems impossible, but ever since the town voted Miriam Parker into office—you remember Miriam Bryant?”

Imani nodded. “I do. She married one of Halle’s cousins on her dad’s side a few years back, right?”

“She did,” Tracey said. “Well, she was elected mayor seven or eight years ago. Since then she’s pushed hard to revitalize the town. Things are so much better and we’re taking advantage of being close to Augusta but far enough away to offer quaint small-town life.”

“Peachtree Cove is quaint now?” Imani said barely hiding her disbelief.

“Yes and stop scrunching up your nose like that. You just got into town. Get out and about and see what I’m talking about.”

“I will. Halle was saying the same thing. I’ll admit that Eggs and Griddle place we went to for breakfast was nice.”

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