Page 124 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Everleigh, I’ve already told you what you mean to meand what I admire most about you. But I’m also selfish. I’ve missed you ever since you took off for college and never looked back. That’s not fair for me to say, right? Who am I to tell you where you belong? I’ve always dreamt of seeing you settle down here in Coral Cove. The inn was your home away from home, and we have so many memories of our time spent here together. I cherish every single one. But honestly, I’ve also felt you belonged here.

When Cade Witherspoon came into my life, I wasn’t looking for a handyman. I’ve known his mother, Trisha, for years, and we’re good friends. She told me she was happy her son had finally come home, and she asked me if I needed a groundskeeper. I told her yes. I met Cade, and I immediately took a liking to him. He doesn’t beat around the bush. He says what he’s thinking, and his dry sense of humor keeps me in stitches.

I soon discovered there’s so much more to Cade than meets the eye. When you first meet him, you’ll think he’s sarcastic and a bit prickly. Yet underneath that hard exterior is a kind, loyal, and thoughtful man who’s been hurt. He’s been used and betrayed. He has a lot of love to give, and he proved that to me when I got sick. He insisted on driving me to appointments and taking care of me. He’s held my hand and consoled me. He’s sat up with me all night long just to make sure I’m okay.

And, oh my goodness, can that man cook! Not only have I benefited from his talent, but so have our guests!

Cade is special to me just like you are, Everleigh. That’s why I wanted you to meet him. I believe deep in my heart that you and Cade are meant to be together. Now, before you convince yourself that I’m completelylosing it, I assure you that I am of sound mind—body, not so much—but I know what I’m saying. I acknowledge that you and Cade are complete opposites. I’m sure if you say the glass is half full, Cade will insist it’s half empty. But you’re the same where it counts. You and Cade have warm and generous hearts. You’re both loving, giving, loyal people. And I believe Cade is your match, Everleigh. I feel it in my soul.

Well, I have rambled on for pages, and I’m tired. I need to finish this letter and get some sleep, but I need to tell you this, Everleigh—I’m leaving you my inn, but I’m also leaving you an offer for your future. Please consider making the Sunshine Inn your home, your second chance. And please consider making Cade a part of your life too.

If it’s meant to be, I’d love for you and Cade to plan a future here together. Build a home here. Start a family. And most importantly, please fill the Sunshine Inn with love.

Don’t forget me, and don’t forget that I love you, sweetheart.

Forever and always.

Sincerely,

Alana

Sobs broke free, and Everleigh dropped onto the floor. She read the letter over and over until she had nearly committed it to memory.

The letter rested on the floor while she yanked her phone from her pocket and swiped through the selfies she’d taken of her and Cade—in the kitchen the first time they prepared breakfast for guests, at the bookstore, at the beach after he’d helped her conquer her fear of the ocean, and the day they’d met Declan at the festival. She zoomed in on Cade’s brilliant smile while he posed with Everleigh and Declan. He’d looked so happy that day, and she studied his handsome face.

Grief expanded inside her, and she knew it to the depth of her heart: ShelovedCade Witherspoon. She cherished his smile, his laugh, his dry sense of humor, and his loving heart. She adored how he’d taken care of her the night of the storm and the way he insisted on helping her overcome her fears. She appreciated how he listened to her and how easy it was to talk to him. Most of all, she loved how he’d taken care of Alana when she needed him most.

She was desperately in love with Cade, but he didn’t love her back. When she told him about the offer on the inn, she had fervently hoped he would want to reject it. She did her best to hint to him that she wanted him to ask her to stay. But he hadn’t.

And when they received the offer in writing, she gave him another chance to turn it down. But once again, he had accepted the terms. Then he had muttered a goodbye and left.

Alana had been right when she predicted Everleigh would fall for Cade, but he hadn’t fallen for her. There was no future for her here. Her only option now was to leave him and the Sunshine Inn behind.

As she stared around the suite that had been her home, she wondered if Cade had been the love of her life. Perhaps he had been, and she would never, ever get over him.

Everleigh pulled herself up from the floor and stared at the letter. “I’m sorry I let you down, Alana,” she whispered. “But I’ll never forget you. I’ll always love you and carry you in my heart.”

Then she dashed out to her car. As she drove away, she glanced in her rearview at the Sunshine Inn. Tears blurred her vision as she motored down the road.

She was leaving a piece of her heart there.

***

Cade sat at his workbench and sanded another piece of wood. He’d spent most of the day searching the internet for business opportunities, but he’d come up empty. He couldn’t concentrate enough to even consider what he wanted to do next with his life. All he could think about was that he’d lost everything—his family, his job, his home, and Everleigh.

In fact, Everleigh was packing up to leave, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t ignore it. She was going to drive out of his life, taking his heart with her. And he would never be the same.

But she’d made her choice, and he had to live with it.

Somehow.

“Cade?”

He turned and found his mother standing by his truck. Her expression was humble and hesitant. He spun on the stool and stared at her, unsure of what to say. He hadn’t heard from her, Dad, or Declan since Thanksgiving, and he’d all but given up on them. He assumed they’d given up on him, too, which hurt him the most.

“Can we talk?” she asked.

He nodded.

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