Page 90 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“As a friend?” she asked. “Yes.” Her tone was laced with impatience.

He tried to hide his relief. “That’s all?”

“Ugh.” She rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you we’re just friends?”

Cade couldn’t shake the feeling that the guy wanted more—a lotmore. He tried to swallow back his jealousy. What was wrong with him?

I’m really losing it...

She cupped her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn. “I think Ineed to head to bed.” She started into the room but stopped in the doorway. “Thank you.”

“For...?”

“Saving me.” She pointed toward the window. “If I had stayed where I was when the second branch fell...”

He shuddered. She didn’t need to finish that sentence. He couldn’t even think about what could have happened.

“I need to grab a pillow and blanket.” He followed her into the bedroom and plucked an extra pillow from his bed and a blanket from the top of his closet.

She stood at the foot of the bed and rubbed Bryant’s ear. The cat rolled onto his back, and his purrs rumbled as loudly as the rain pelting the roof above them. “Who named him Bryant?” she asked.

“Alana. I wanted to call him Bear.”

“He’s definitely a Bryant.” She smiled down at the cat and then lifted her eyes to Cade’s again. “I don’t feel right taking your bed. Let me sleep on the sofa.”

He shook his head. “My mama would tan my hide if she found out I put you on the sofa.”

“But you’re taller than I am.” She pointed to the doorway. “I’ll be more comfortable out there. You should stay here.”

“Nope.” He patted the cat’s round belly and then nodded at Everleigh. “Night.”

She gave him a sweet smile that went straight to his heart. “Good night, Cade.”

He closed his bedroom door behind him and then tried to get settled on the sofa. Everleigh was right—he was much too tall for it—but after resting his feet on the arm, he found a semi-comfortable position. He stared up at the ceiling and listened to the steady drumming of the rain on the roof.

The night had been unexpected—from the tree crashing through the sunroom to holding Everleigh in his arms while she sobbed. And when he’d almost kissed her...

A shiver moved through him at the memory.

Thank goodness the kettle whistled when it did! He’d almost made a huge mistake. Getting involved with Everleigh would make things even more complicated than they already were.

At the same time, it was a relief to unload what had happened between him and Serena. Everleigh was easy to talk to and always empathetic. But that didn’t mean he should fall for her.

He blinked up at the ceiling. If he was being honest with himself, he had to admit he alreadyhadfallen for her.

Oh no...

He had to find a way to bury those feelings. He couldn’t make it through another rough breakup.

Cade tried to adjust himself and his pillow—but he knew that between the uncomfortable sofa and his confusing feelings for Everleigh, it was going to be averylong night.

Chapter 22

Everleigh rolled onto her back and yawned. Opening her eyes, she spotted sunlight sneaking in between the slats in the blinds. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was. Then the previous night came rushing back—the storm, the tree crashing through the sunroom, collapsing in the mud under the cold rain, Cade rescuing her, sobbing in Cade’s arms, Cade holding her close...

Cade.

She moved onto her side and breathed in his scent imprinted on his pillowcase—the fragrance of laundry detergent mixed with sandalwood. His smell had surrounded her and reminded her of his warm hug as she had snuggled under his gray sheets and blanket last night. A thrill slipped through her as she recalled how safe and secure she’d felt in his strong arms, releasing all the grief she’d been carrying around since her mother told her Alana was gone.

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