Page 117 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Cade rubbed Bryant’s back, and the cat’s purr provided a much-needed boost of courage. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

“What was it?”

“Really, it’s not...” Cade hesitated. “Why don’t you call me in a few days?”

“Just tell me,” Declan insisted. “I can handle it.”

Cade took a deep breath. “I tried to talk some sense into my mom, and it fell flat.” He shared what happened when Mom and Dad came over and he had the two empty place settings at the table. “She still refuses to acknowledge you and Stephanie, but I’m not giving up.” He hesitated. “I mean it. You’re my brother, Declan, and I want you and Stephanie to be an active part of our family. I’m going to do whatever’s in my power to make that happen.”

Silence hummed across the line.

“Declan?” Cade asked. When his brother didn’t respond, he studied his phone to see if the call had dropped. “Declan? You there?”

“Yeah.” Declan’s voice was somber.

“I’m sorry.” Cade closed his eyes as disappointment and grief overtook him. “The last thing I wanted to do was ruin your holiday.”

“You didn’t. You just drove home what I’ve already been thinking.”

Cade’s stomach plummeted. “What do you mean?”

“That it’s time for me to move on.” His voice trembled with anger and possibly anguish. “I’ve had enough heartache to last me a lifetime.”

Cade shook his head as if his brother could see him over the phone. “No. You can’t give up.”

“I appreciate all you’ve tried to do, but I can’t keep allowing her to hurt me.” He paused for a moment. “Stephanie told me to give up after the fall festival. I was still grasping onto the hope that my child would know my biological family, but it’s been too hard.”

Cade nodded. “I can’t even imagine.”

“If I keep going through this, it will start taking a toll on her too. I don’t want to put her in jeopardy, you know? It took us a long time to get pregnant, and if something happened...”

Cade returned to petting the cat to try to lower his spiking blood pressure. “I understand.”

“I’m sorry, Cade. This stress isn’t good for me or Stephanie.”

Cade held his hand up. “Let’s give Mom more time. She told me earlier in the week that maybe she could see you at Christmas and—”

“No, Cade. I’m done.”

“Declan, listen.” He could hear the desperation in his voice. “What if I came to see you and Stephanie at Christmas? We can celebrate as a family, and maybe that will inspire Mom to finally come around.”

A voice sounded in the background, and then a rustling came over the phone, like Declan was holding his hand over the speaker. Then Cade heard more muffled voices.

“Cade,” Declan finally said into the phone. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“Of course,” Cade said. “Can you call me later or tomorrow?”

Declan was silent for a beat, and muscles tensed in Cade’s shoulders. “I think it would be best if we didn’t communicate anymore.”

Cade’s gut knotted. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“Look, Cade. I’m glad I met you,” Declan began. “I’ve wondered nearly all my life if I had siblings, and I’m so grateful to have a brother.” He paused. “But I’ve got to be honest. If I can’t have our mother in my life, then it’ll be too painful to maintain a relationship with you.”

“I’ll work on her,” Cade promised, searching for anything to convince Declan not to give up. “Just give me a little more time. I can get her to come around.”

“I’ve tried calling her, writing her, and visiting her, and nothing has worked. She’s made it clear that when she gave me up foradoption, she was done with me.” Declan’s voice was raspy. “Just back off, okay? It is what it is.”

“Declan—”

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