Page 103 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Cade glared at Trevor before sauntering toward the garage, muttering to himself.

Everleigh swiped her hands over her face, hoping her cheeks would cool down.

“Hey.” Trevor touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“What was Cade talking about?” she demanded, interrupting him.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“He saw you at the home improvement store. What were you doing?”

Trevor shrugged and focused on something behind her. “I honestly have no idea.”

“Were you at the home improvement store before you came here?”

He rubbed the dark stubble on his jaw. “Uh, yeah.” He pointed toward his truck. “I had to run by there to pick up a new hammer. The handle on mine broke last week. I traded it in under the warranty and got a new one.”

“And who did he see you talking to?”

He shook his head. “I have no idea who he’s talking about. I talked to the guy working over in the tool section.”

She searched his face for any sign of a lie, but she wasn’t sure if she saw one or not. She turned toward the garage, where Cade and Roger stood just inside the bay door. She couldn’t see Cade’s face, but he was gesturing wildly as if telling a story—or complaining about Trevor.

What had Cade seen? Had he misinterpreted it?

Cade was no dummy. Still, he was suspicious of people because he’d been hurt.

“Everleigh,” Trevor said, “I just want to help you. You know that, right?”

She took in the sincerity in his eyes. She wanted to believe him, but Cade had made it clear that he wanted to help her too. He’d proved that more than once. In fact, he’d helped the first time she met him when he ran through the rain to bring her an umbrella and handle her suitcase. And since then, he’d gone out of his way to take care of her while Trevor had only shown up here and there.

“I’m sorry,” Trevor said. “I really am just trying to help.” His phone began to ring, and he pulled it from the pocket of his jeansand studied the screen. “Sorry, but I’ve got to take this.” He walked away from her. “Bob. What’s up?”

“Whoa. That was intense!”

Everleigh swiveled just as Quinn sidled up to her. She frowned. “How much did you see?”

“Uh, Cade and Trevor almost punching each other. I didn’t want to interfere.”

Everleigh blew out a deep sigh. “I really thought Cade was going to start World War III.” She peered over to where Trevor walked near the pond with his phone up to his ear. “But Cade said something that has me concerned. He said he witnessed Trevor doing something shady at the home improvement store, but Trevor is denying it all.” She turned to her friend. “Do you think Trevor is genuine?”

Quinn shrugged. “I can’t really give you any advice since I don’t know him. You need to go with your gut on this one.” She patted Everleigh’s arm. “Ask Cade what he saw. Something tells me he wouldn’t lie to you.”

Everleigh sighed. “Why is this so complicated?”

“I know one thing for sure: You guys can use all the help you can get, and if Trevor works in construction, then let him help with the framing. Many hands make light work, right?”

“Right.” Everleigh nodded, but unease still gripped her stomach.

***

Cade sat on the top of the picnic table later that evening and studied the framing. Thanks to Roger’s crew and their volunteers—Landon, Everleigh’s father, and even Trevor—they’d finished the framing in one day. Dave, Everleigh’s father, had left a while ago, and Roger and his team were packing up their tools and getting ready to head out for the night.

Trevor and Everleigh were engrossed in a conversation near the back door, and Cade narrowed his eyes. He wished that guy would just disappear. He’d managed to avoid another run-in with Trevor, but the two of them had traded glares throughout the day while working on opposite sides of the site. It irked Cade that Trevor had stuck around, but it didn’t surprise him. Of course he would want all of Everleigh’s attention, and he was showering her with compliments on her work. He couldn’t be any more obvious, but sweet Everleigh seemed oblivious. That, too, was irritating.

Landon climbed up on the picnic table, sat next to Cade, and handed him a bottle of water. “You look like you could use this.”

“Thanks.” Cade opened the bottle and took a long drink.Ahhh.The cold liquid was just what his parched mouth craved. Although the evening air was cool, the job had worn him out. He had a new appreciation for construction. He didn’t know how the workers did this every day. He couldn’t wait to take a long, hot shower and relax for the rest of the evening.

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