Page 118 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“Have a good life, man. Take care,” Declan said before disconnecting the call.

Cade stared at the phone as anger, bereavement, and regret crashed through him. He’d gained and lost a brother in less than two months, and his head was spinning.

But he knew one thing for sure: His mother was to blame. They’d had a chance to add Declan to their family, but she’d prevented it.

His finger shook as he dialed his mother’s number.

“Hello?” Mom said.

“Well, you’ve finally done it,” Cade snapped. “I just talked to Declan, and he’s cutting both me and you off.”

He waited for her to speak, but when she didn’t, his anger morphed into white-hot fury. How could she get away with this? His pain went all the way to the bone.

“And guess what, Mom? Now you’ve lostbothof your sons.”

“Wh-what do you mean?” she stammered.

“Declan’s done with us, and I’m done with you.” Then he disconnected the call, collapsed back on the sofa, and let the emotion pour out of him.

***

“Everleigh, are you okay?” Dad asked. “You’re white as a ghost. Who was on the phone?”

Her entire body trembled as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen. “That was Mrs. Newton. She and her husband come to the Sunshine Inn every year, and she always brings homemade jam.” She sat down at the table where her parents were already sipping coffee and eating pieces of pie.

“I remember you and Alana talking about her,” Mom said. “What did she want?”

“Well.” Everleigh took a shaky breath. “She and her husband want to buy the inn. They offered full price, and they want to close as soon as possible. She said they’re going to meet with their lawyer and put together an offer and then email it to me.”

Mom and Dad shared a shocked look.

“Today was the deadline Cade gave me.” She fiddled with her fork. “But I actually made the sale happen.” Now she could get back on the road, and more importantly, finally start the nonprofit in memory of Alana. A swarm of emotions crowded her chest—shock, confusion, and... regret?

What was wrong with her? This was what she’d hoped for, right? This way, the dream she shared with Alana would come to life—an organization that, if successful, might live on well after both AlanaandEverleigh.

“An angel always finds its way to you, even in your darkest moments.”

The words Alana had written echoed in her mind, and she tried to convince herself that selling the inn was the right path for her and Cade.

But if it was what Alana, her guardian angel, had wanted for her, then why did the thought of leaving Coral Cove make her want to sob instead of celebrate?

Her parents continued to watch her.

“Does that mean you’re going back on the road again?” Dad asked, and the disappointment in his expression tweaked her heart.

She rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her palm. “I’ve been considering hospital contracts in Houston and Atlanta.”

“Please choose Atlanta,” Mom said. “Then you’ll only be six hours away.”

Dad touched Mom’s hand as if to comfort her. “I agree. You’ll be less than a day’s drive from us.”

“Okay,” Everleigh said, the word sounding thin.

Mom wagged a finger at her. “And that means you’ll need to visit us more often. No more staying away for more than a year.”

“I promise I won’t do that again,” she said, and she meant it.

“Good.” Mom’s dark eyes glistened with tears. “I know you’ve always wanted to travel, but I was hoping you’d stay home for good this time.” She sniffed. “I really thought maybe you’d decide to run the inn with Cade and work part-time for a local hospital.”

---