Page 17 of One Southern Summer

Chapter Four

Whyhad she said yes?

Only twelve hours had passed since she’d accepted Cole’s job offer. Way too soon to panic. Except fear had barged its way in during Hayes’s 4:00 a.m. feeding, drove in tent stakes and set up camp. Like it planned to stick around a while.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” Mama walked beside her on the paved path circling a man-made water feature in the center of Camellia’s new community park.

“Mmm-hmm.” Avery tightened her grip on the stroller’s handle and stared straight ahead, determined to keep an eye on Addison. They’d already had one epic battle of wills this morning. Addison had picked out her own outfit. A red-and-white-striped T-shirt and lime green shorts. Maybe the lack of sleep and rude awakening was to blame, but Avery foolishly took issue with the clothing selection. When she’d suggested Addison change into something that matched, the poor girl had melted. Avery knew better than to criticize a four-year-old’s clothing choices.

After she’d apologized for hurting Addison’s feelings, she’d encouraged her to leave the scooter behind. At least until she’d had more time to practice. The thought of scooping her baby girl off the pavement and tending to skinned knees or elbows made her feel panicky. Mama had mentioned the brand-new play structure and Avery had promised they’d stop and hang out there.

But Addison would not back down. She’d even tried loading the thing in the back of the car by herself while Avery was busy getting Hayes ready to go. Determined to regain control of the situation, Avery mandated that Addison wear her new helmet. Addison had happily complied—probably because it had purple sparkly paint.

“You’re quiet this morning.” Mama slanted her a curious look. “Sounds like y’all were up early.”

“Too early. I tried to go back to sleep after I finished feeding Hayes around four thirty, but Addison came in at five fifteen.”

“Oh, dear.”

Addison had tiptoed in and crawled into bed beside her then peppered her with questions, diminishing all hope of anyone going back to sleep.

“Where she gets all that energy is beyond me.” Avery leaned over the handle and adjusted the light blanket she’d tucked around Hayes. He’d stayed awake since she’d transferred him from the car. His little brow furrowed as he squinted at her from underneath the stroller shade.

“There’s a place where we can stop and see the ducks and look for turtles.” Mama unscrewed the cap on her water bottle. “Between the scooter ride, seeing the animals and playing on the new play structure, maybe that will tire her out.”

“Please, let it be so.”

The lush canopy of trees overhead offered a reprieve from the warm morning sunshine. Squirrels skittered through the underbrush. Birds perched on branches nearby, preening. The peaceful setting did nothing to soothe the thorny knot of emotions inside.

Mama twisted the cap back on the water bottle. “You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to, but I’m here and happy to listen.”

Her gentle words crumbled the last of Avery’s stubborn resolve. “I shouldn’t have accepted that offer from Cole. I really wish I hadn’t and now I don’t know what to do.”

There. She’d blurted it all out.

Mama slowed her steps. “Are you concerned about starting a new job when you have small children?”

Sort of.“I’m not really qualified to take on a project like this.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. You’re very talented. Cole and his staff are fortunate to have you. I wish you’d been able to decorate our new place. But I hated to ask, what with Pax leaving you and all. Besides, you were seven months pregnant by the time we were ready to move in.”

“Mama, I haven’t decorated a room or designed anything on my own for eons. And even though I’m still so mad at Trey and Pax for leaving, they did a lot of the work and—”

“Hey, watch me!” Addison looked over her shoulder then glided along the path. Her toe caught and she stumbled, but quickly recovered and shot them a proud smile before getting right back on the scooter.

The child was fearless.

“You’re doing great,” Avery called out. “Remember to watch where you’re going, please.”

“Julene, Harper and I are available to babysit. Or we can find someone local to help if that’s what you’d prefer. What else is giving you second thoughts?”

Avery’s flip-flops smacked against the pavement as they walked faster to keep up with Addison. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful. I need a good job and my children are a huge blessing. Hayes especially has been such a gift. After my miscarriage, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get pregnant again.”

“You don’t sound ungrateful. You sound normal,” Mama said. “Lots of women are in your position, trying to provide for their families and pay attention to their career.”

“How’d you do this, Mama? I’m not just talking about work. You kept it together so well after Daddy left. I never heard you complain.”

Mama’s expression grew serious. “I tried not to ever complain in front of you girls or let you see me crying. Nana is quite generous now, but when your grandfather was alive, he did not like to part with his money. I had to ask for help and I hated it. Hated that you had to buy somebody else’s used clothes, and we never got to take fancy vacations.”

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