Page 13 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Everleigh set her backpack purse on the step beside her and hugged her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes and let more memories soak through her.

Breathe, Everleigh. Breathe.

She took in deep breaths, inhaling the fresh, salty air.

She jumped with a start as something soft brushed against her back. Behind her, a fluffy gray cat blinked up at her. He bumped his head against her arm before blinking again and meowing.

When the cat sat down, Everleigh noticed how huge he was—bigger than any cat she’d ever met.

“Hi! What’s your name?” She stroked his fuzzy head, and he purred loudly, reminding her of a car engine.

“Bryant.”

Everleigh angled her body toward the driveway and saw Cade strolling toward her. She tried not to stare at him, but it wasimpossible. He wore a faded gray T-shirt and athletic shorts that boasted his fit and tanned legs.

Oh my goodness!

“Bryant, huh?” she asked, hoping she sounded casual.

Cade nodded.

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Bryant,” she told the cat, who continued to purr. “Is he a Maine coon?”

Cade sat down beside her. “Maybe?” He rubbed the cat’s ear, and the cat tilted his head toward Cade.

The cat’s purrs rumbled even louder, and Everleigh laughed. “I think he likes that.”

While rubbing the cat’s ear, Cade pointed toward the hide-a-key. “Where was that?”

“Alana left it for me in case I came over after school and she was out.” She smiled as the tender memories of those days overtook her. “I had my own key, but I lost it enough times for Alana to suggest a hide-a-key.” She picked up the fake rock, turned it over in her hand, and held the secret key out to Cade.

“Keep it. All the doors have keypads now.”

Bored with the attention, Bryant yawned and then sauntered down the porch steps before collapsing on the sidewalk and rolling onto his back.

Everleigh pocketed the key as Cade stood. She studied him. Tall, tanned, and grumpy, but she was sure that under his frown there must be a good guy. If not, why would AlanaandBryant be so fond of him?

“Going inside?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yeah.” She jumped up, ready to tackle Alana’s closet, when her foot caught on the step. For one second she was weightless, sure she was about to fall on her face. But then two warm hands caught her shoulders. Warm, strong hands belonging to acool, almost cold face. But those sky-blue eyes were captivating, and for a moment she was certain they were masking a kindness he was determined not to share. But why?

He was watching her, and heat rose to her cheeks.

“Ah! Um, thanks for the catch,” she sputtered as he helped her get her footing.

Cade just nodded and held the door open for her, and Everleigh decided then and there: She was going to befriend Cade if it was the last thing she did.

When she entered the foyer, she was immediately transported back in time as she took in the antique table and mirror on the wall, the expensive oriental rugs lining the entryway, and the polished wooden banister leading up to the guest rooms. The sitting room still featured its elegant love seat and wing chair, along with matching end tables and colorful Tiffany lamps.

Beyond it was the large kitchen and formal dining room, where she’d helped Alana set the table for guests. It seemed like only yesterday she was folding napkins and arranging the fancy china for visitors.

Everleigh hooked her thumbs through the belt loops of her denim shorts and pivoted to face Cade, who was still wearing a grim expression. “Are any guests here now?”

“No, I canceled all of the reservations when Alana took a turn for the worse.” He propped his forearms on the island in the center of the kitchen. “I focused on taking care of her.”

“You took care of her?” The news took Everleigh aback.

He nodded. “Drove her to appointments, picked up her medicine, all that.”

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