The Wedding Circle by Ashton Lee Page A

Maura Beth can be thinking of with this fishing lodge idea of hers. She’s always been so stubborn, of course, but maybe you could talk to Jeremy about it?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Susan said, a subtle edge to her voice.
    â€œIf you could impress upon him how much a hometown wedding would mean to me—have him put in a good word for our position with Maura Beth. Maybe she’d listen to him. Maybe he could turn this thing around for us.”
    Susan’s nervousness took the form of an extended sigh. “Cara Lynn, I think this is all very awkward for me. Paul and I have never been able to tell Jeremy what to do, either. We warned him that he wouldn’t be making much money teaching English, and that some of the principals, headmasters, and superintendents he’d be dealing with might be nightmares. That’s turned out to be the case, as a matter of fact. But he has this great passion for literature—he says he wants to improve the culture. He firmly believes it’s taken a swan dive. And frankly, I think he’s nailed it. Every time I see what’s on television and what’s playing at the movies I realize how low the bar has been set these days. And as for the wedding, I think we just have to let our children set their own agendas.”
    Cara Lynn’s tone of voice took on a slight chill. “I see. Then you won’t try to help me with this?”
    â€œI don’t think it’s my place,” Susan began. “And I have to tell you—I’m a bit surprised by all this. I thought the four of us were getting along just fine up to now. The men seem to be hitting it off in there with their after-dinner drinks, and I would imagine that Connie and your daughter are both starting to wonder what deep philosophical discussion we’re having out here without them. So why don’t we hurry on in and join the others, okay?”
    Cara Lynn flashed a smile that was anything but sincere. “Yes, of course. And I trust this little chat we’ve had won’t be repeated. I guess I went out on a limb expressing my opinions here so openly to you.”
    â€œYou’re the mother of the bride. You have every right to. But if you don’t mind, Cara Lynn, I think I’ll stay out of this.”
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    Was it the B & B Maura Beth was sipping in a corner of the great room, or was it the sight of her mother and Susan McShay chatting so intensely out on the deck that was giving her such a warm, fuzzy feeling? It was obvious that these two Southern divas had become fast friends. Could it get any better than that? They were no doubt outside thinking up ways to make her wedding even more spectacular now that it was clear her mother had shown up planning to cooperate and get with the program. Perhaps Susan would be adding something artsy-craftsy to the wedding bouquet, and they were discussing other unique and colorful favors for the ceremony. What a revelation it was all turning out to be!
    â€œWhat are you grinning about?” Jeremy asked, sitting in an adjoining chair and brushing up against her leg.
    She pointed to their mothers out on the deck, then to the men whooping it up across the room. “The truth is, I’d give anything to be a fly on the railing out there. Not to mention that Daddy is over there by the fireplace telling his god-awful bawdy jokes, and your father and uncle seem to be birds of a feather with it all. What’s not to like about that?”
    He swirled his snifter of Courvoisier and tilted his head. “Yep, I’d say it’s going pretty smoothly. And you’re right—I can hear those punch lines from here. They’re pretty stale.”
    â€œNever mind that. I think The Robber Bridegroom review tomorrow will be the capper for your new in-laws. They’ll see that The Cherry Cola Book Club is my greatest achievement to date.”
    â€œBut it’ll soon take a backseat to the new library,”