Page 86 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

She followed him into his bedroom, where he set the second lantern on the dresser and searched through the drawers. He found a pair of drawstring shorts and an old, faded concert T-shirt and held them out to her. “These should work.”

“Thanks,” she whispered. She kept her attention focused on the clothes, and he was certain she was averting her eyes.

“Bathroom’s there.” He pointed to the doorway beside his closet. “Help yourself to anything—towels, face cloth, whatever you need.”

She nodded. Then she carried the lantern into the bathroom and closed the door.

He chose a pair of sweatpants and a dry shirt for himself and then slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He changed in the laundry room and then paced around the apartment. He couldn’t wipe the sight of the demolished sunroom from his mind.

What if the branches had fallen a few feet away? What if they had landed on Everleigh’s room, trapping her—or worse? If they had, their last conversation would have been an argument. And...

Stop it! Get ahold of yourself!

Everleigh was fine. She was in his apartment, and she was safe. In fact, she was in his bathroomputting on his clothes.

Despite that assurance, his heart still tried to pound itself out of his chest. He needed something to occupy him, to take his mind off what could have happened to Everleigh.

He spun toward the kitchen, and his eyes landed on an old kettle his mother had given him. He kept it on the counter since he had no room for it in the cabinet.

Tea.

He would make some tea. Yes, that would keep him busy for a minute or two.

After using a long wand lighter to ignite a burner, he filled a kettle with water and set it on the stove. Then he collapsed against the counter and took a few cleansing breaths to soothe his frayed nerves. The rain continued to pound the roof while the wind howled around them.

He waited for his bedroom door to open and Everleigh to appear in his clothes, but he didn’t hear any movement coming from his room.

What was taking her so long?

Had she curled up in his bed with the cat and fallen asleep?

He rubbed his chin and debated what to do. He didn’t want to intrude upon her, but he was worried. She’d seemed to be in one piece when he brought her to his apartment, but maybe she’d gotten hurt. She could’ve fallen in the mud and injured herself and was looking for bandages.

Or maybe she didn’t want to see him? She’d told him days ago that they needed to stay out of each other’s lives.

He gritted his teeth. He couldn’t stand the idea of her avoiding him, especially now that the inn was in jeopardy.

But she’d clearly been upset when he found her kneeling in themud, and she hadn’t looked him in the eye since he’d brought her into his apartment.

Stop stalling, Witherspoon. Go check on her!

He crossed to the door and knocked softly. “Everleigh?”

He waited a moment while rain continued to beat a loud cadence on the roof.

He knocked again. “Everleigh?” He rested his forehead against the cool door. “Everleigh, please answer me. Are you okay?”

Then he held his breath.

Chapter 21

“Yeah.” Everleigh’s voice sounded soft, unsure, and hesitant.

Cade couldn’t recall a time when Everleigh had been timid since he’d met her. Maybe she was injured and too stubborn to ask for help. Worry spun in his gut. He needed to get in there and see her for himself.

“Can I come in?” he asked.

“Sure.”

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