Free The Wedding Circle by Ashton Lee Page B

finished my Best of Becca Broccoli cookbook that I told y’all about last year at our very first Cherry Cola Book Club meeting. I promise it’ll be out before the baby comes.”
    Maura Beth’s sudden inspiration caused an audible gasp as she lightly clapped her hands several times. “And you simply have to have a signing at the library. You’d be our first!”
    Becca acknowledged the suggestion with a gracious nod. “I’d be delighted, of course. We’ll nail down a date soon.”
    Maura Beth finally felt herself relaxing now that her misguided perceptions had been thoroughly shown up and tossed aside. She also realized that she was actually hungry and began eating in earnest. True, the spaghetti was on the lukewarm side, but she wasn’t going to make a fuss. It was more than enough that Becca’s baby was still tucked away safely. All was right with the known world, both inside and out.
    Â 
    Over after-luncheon coffee and dainty amaretto cookies, the talk shifted to the latest on the upcoming weddings, and Maura Beth offered up a somewhat condensed version of her concerns and expectations when she was prodded. “I suppose I could avoid all controversy and give in to my mother’s demands for a hometown service,” she was saying. “Of course, it would mean going down to New Orleans and dealing with all of her high-maintenance friends, not to mention a hundred-something distant cousins who probably showed up last at my christening. The genealogical aspects of all that just boggles my mind. If I have to deal with our Cudd’n M’Dear and her ilk, I think I might explode!”
    Connie managed a pleasant smile while speaking emphatically. “Well, you know Douglas and I are looking forward to meeting your parents, but we don’t have to have the ceremony at the lodge. You can change your mind at any time. I promise we won’t be upset.”
    â€œMaybe they’ll surprise me and actually respect my wishes,” Maura Beth added. “At any rate, Jeremy and I are hoping for a meeting of the minds when the two families get together.”
    Miss Voncille dramatically threw her hands in the air. “I certainly hope it works out, but, ladies, I have to confess that Locke and I have just about decided to leave things the way they are. Of course a wedding at this time of my life would be a dream come true for me, but Carla and Locke, Jr. continue to be unbelievably mean and nasty to us. If anything, they’ve gotten worse, and it’s really hurt Locke deeply. As for me, I have a brand-new respect for those who decide not to have children!”
    â€œSo you’re saying you might not even get married? I thought everything was all set for late August at the Episcopal Church,” Maura Beth said.
    â€œIt was at one time. But we just might not get married at all. Just the other evening I looked Locke straight in the eye and I told him that if his money and property were going to cause all this friction, it would be fine with me if he left me out of the will whether we’re married or not. After all, I have my pension and a little put by. I’ve gotten along just fine all these years on my own.”
    â€œThat’s awfully high-minded of you,” Periwinkle said. But there was clearly reservation in her voice. “I’d just like to add that you can’t let people intimidate you like that, Voncille, particularly if they’re close to you and think they can get away with it. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about. If you and Locke really want to get married, you should go for it. Stand up for yourselves no matter what happens. You gotta draw the line somewhere.” For a moment it looked as if Periwinkle was going to add something further but apparently thought better of it and merely shrugged her shoulders.
    That seemed to have a sobering effect on the group, and Maura Beth decided to change the subject and