Page 5 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

When his mother was murdered and the cops immediately tried to pin it on Preston, Cyril refused to believe it. His dad had loved his mom and Cyril had witnessed that love every day. Was their marriage perfect? No. Something that had come to light during the investigation, but despite being witness to his parents’ flaws Cyril never believed his dad would hurt his mother. It had taken way too long to prove that, but they had. Now they were here and happy. He’d do anything in his power to protect his dad’s happiness. He deserved it after losing so much.

The sheen returned to his dad’s eyes, and he blinked several times. “You gonna give me this beer.”

Cyril chuckled and let go. “Take it.”

There was noise from the back of the bar. Cyril looked that way as Joshua came into the main area. Joshua was about five years younger than Cyril’s thirty-eight years, with his hair cut short on the sides with dreads at the top that he wore in a ponytail. His circle wire–rimmed glasses enhanced his expressive eyes, and he wore a black Couple of Beers T-shirt with a pair of distressed jeans.

Shortly after opening A Couple of Beers Cyril realized that while he loved beer, he did not love managing the books. He’d immediately looked to hire a business manager and Joshua, who’d grown up in Peachtree Cove and had left for college in Atlanta before returning home, was the first person he’d interviewed. They’d immediately clicked; he liked Joshua’s laid-back vibe and his thoughts on ways to market as well as manage the business. Three years later and they were not just partners but friends.

“What’s up, Mr. Dash,” Joshua said coming over to shake Preston’s hand. “What are you doing here so early?”

Preston raised his glass. “I’m just here to give my son the good news.”

Joshua’s brows rose and he glanced at Cyril. “Good news?”

Cyril nodded his head in his dad’s direction. “That’s his news to tell.”

Joshua turned back to Preston. “Don’t leave me out. What’s going on?”

Preston grinned from ear to ear. A sight Cyril would pay to see over and over again. “I’m getting married.”

Joshua’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “For real? To Ms. Kemp?”

Preston nodded. “The one and only. You know since we moved here I think I figured out the secret to why so many people move south.”

Joshua raised a brow. “What? Lower taxes?”

Preston laughed but waved a hand. “Nah, all the sweet Southern women. Find one, and marry her quick.” He pointed to both of them.

Joshua shook his head. “I’ll leave that to you.”

Cyril waved a hand. “I’ve got to get you through this wedding first before I even think about getting married.”

Preston grinned. “You’ve got to not only get me through the wedding, but since you’ve agreed to be my best man, I need you to convince Linda’s daughter to go along with the wedding.”

Cyril’s smile dropped and he frowned at his dad. “Say what now?”

three

“Who is this guy? Have you met him?” Imani glanced at the green road sign that read Peachtree Cove 10 miles before focusing on the two-lane highway in front of her.

Her cousin Halle’s voice, sounding every bit the school administrator that she was, came through the Bluetooth speakers in the car. “Yeah, I know him. Everyone knows Mr. Preston. He works part-time at the hardware store and cuts the grass for us here at the middle school. He’s a really sweet guy.”

“Well, this sweet guy is trying to marry my mom. When did this happen?” Imani asked squeezing the wheel.

“Mmmm...about a month ago or so,” Halle said as if she had to think back. “I remember talking to your mom and some of the other ladies at Joanne’s beauty salon about getting on dating apps. I think that’s how she and Mr. Preston met.”

“Dating app! My mom is on a dating app? Since when?” Hadn’t she shut down the idea of dating apps? Imani had tried them and so had some of her friends. There was nothing but frustration and disappointment on the dating apps.

Halle chuckled. “Since Joanne showed her how to sign up for one. Are you really on the way here?”

“Yeah, I just got off the interstate. I’m about ten miles out.”

Imani wished she could feel a tenth of the excitement coating her cousin’s voice. She wasn’t in Peachtree Cove for a fun family visit. Her visit was twofold. One to escape the frenzy surrounding her doctor of the year announcement. The practice and the hospital had not been pleased when she’d asked for time off right at the peak of her popularity, but when she’d told them it was an emergency with her mom they’d readily agreed. Her patients had been shuffled to other doctors for the next few weeks while Imani went home. She’d told no one the emergency was finding a way to stop her mom from making a colossal mistake.

That was the second reason for her trip and why she’d called her cousin. She needed to find out about this man who thought he could marry her mom. Getting to the bottom of this mystery and preventing a rushed, and shady, wedding was her main goal.

“You’re here! Dang it, Imani, why didn’t you tell me? I would have tried to meet you.” The sound of a bell ringing came through the background.

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