Page 4 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Oh no.

Then the tears poured from her eyes.

She felt like a fool for losing it in the middle of a lawyer’s office—especially in front of Mr. Buford and the mysterious Cade. She yanked a tissue from her pocket and wiped her eyes and nose.

A hand touched her arm. She turned toward Mom, who was staring at her. “Did you hear that, Everleigh?” she asked, pinning her with a serious expression.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. What did I miss?”

Mr. Buford pressed his thin lips together. “I’ll read it again, Ms. Hartnett.” He gave his throat a dramatic clearing. “I hereby bequeath fifty percent each of my said property, real, personal, or mixed, to Everleigh Alana Hartnett and Benjamin Cade Witherspoon III.”

Everleigh blinked and tried to comprehend what the lawyer hadsaid. She listened intently while he continued reciting the document, but her mind was buzzing with confusion. What did it all mean?

When the lawyer stopped reading, Everleigh took a shuddering breath. “Mr. Buford, can you please explain what you just read?”

He took off his glasses and set them down on the desk before refolding his hands. “Ms. McFadden left you and Mr. Witherspoon each fifty percent of everything—her bed-and-breakfast and the contents therein, as well as any funds. She’d also like you and your mother to go through her personal items and decide what to do with them.”

“Sh-she left me the bed-and-breakfast?” Everleigh whispered as her eyes brimmed with tears once again. Alana had left her everything—everything. Her shock spilled down her cheeks.

Her godmother’s generosity was too much to comprehend. She was so grateful. Alana had always been thoughtful and giving, but leaving Everleigh everything was above and beyond.

But wait—Alanahadn’tleft her everything.

Everleigh had to share the B&B with astranger.

She turned to the man sitting next to her. He appeared just as stunned as she felt as he pushed his hand through his thick, golden-brown hair.

Who was he anyway? And why did Alana want her to share the B&B with him, a man she’d never heard of? Alana had lost her parents years ago and never had any siblings or children of her own. In fact, she’d never married. And her last name was McFadden, not Witherspoon, which meant they couldn’t be related.

Or could they?

Had she found a long-lost cousin during the eighteen months since Everleigh had been home? And if so, why hadn’t Alana mentioned him when they’d spoken? Everleigh always told Alanaeverything about her life—even secrets she hadn’t shared with her mother. So, wouldn’t Alana have done the same?

Everleigh knew the answer to that question: Alanahadn’ttold her everything. In fact, she hadn’t even told her she was sick, which made Everleigh’s heart hurt.

“Now, we have some documents you’ll need to sign, and then you can be on your way,” Mr. Buford announced, standing. “Rhiannon will help you with those since I need to get to my next appointment.”

After the paperwork was complete, Everleigh and her mother walked out to the lobby. She felt as if she were walking in a dream. She was now half owner of the Sunshine Inn. How was any of this possible? Was she stuck in an alternate universe? Would she suddenly wake up and find everything back to normal?

“Oh, good,” Mom announced, pulling her keys from her designer purse. “It stopped raining. I’m parked right out front.”

Everleigh turned to Benjamin Cade Witherspoon III. Such a fancy name. She held her hand out and smiled. “Is it Cade or Ben?”

“Cade.” He gave her hand a quick shake, but his expression remained glum.

My, my—that five o’clock shadow!

“I guess we’re business partners now, huh?” She had so many questions for him, but it didn’t seem like the appropriate place to delve into them.

“We should talk.” His voice was distinct—deep and smooth, reminding her of butter. But his face was so serious.

“Absolutely.”

Mom’s cell phone started to ring, and she fished it out of her purse. “Hi, Dave.” She rubbed her forehead. “Yeah, we just finished up. We’re on our way now. See you there.” She disconnected the phone and sighed. “Everleigh, your dad’s going to meet us at the restaurant.” She gave Cade a stiff smile. “Good to see you.” Thenshe turned her focus back to Everleigh. “Let’s go.” Mom pushed open the office door and headed toward the car.

Everleigh waved to Cade. “We’ll get together soon.”

He nodded, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and pressed his lips into a flat line.

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