Page 131 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“I’d love to.” She lifted her chin. “But you’re not going to sell that bike.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want another ride on it.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because then I get to hold on to you,” she said, winking playfully. “Now, kiss me again.”

His grin was wolfish, sending a sizzle of electricity through her veins. “Gladly, darlin’.”

She blew out a dreamy sigh. “Iloveit when you call me darlin’.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, darlin’.” He pulled her closer and rested his hands on her lower back. She wound her arms around his neck as he kissed her. His mouth was magic, making everything around them seem blurry and soft.

When he broke the kiss, she rested her head on his shoulder and let out a happy sigh. She felt safe and protected in his arms once again.

“How come Alana knew we belonged together but it took so long for us to figure it out?” he asked, his voice rumbling in his chest.

She lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t know, but I’d like to spend the rest of my life trying to figure it out.”

“Now that sounds like a plan, darlin’,” he said, kissing her again.

Epilogue

Two months later, Valentine’s Day

Everleigh steered Alana’s Jeep down the winding driveway and smiled as she took in the cars lining either side of the road. Warm yellow lights glowed in the inn’s windows, and her heart skipped a beat as her headlights swept across the large sign that read “Valentine’s Day Dinner—All Proceeds Benefit Alana’s Angels.” Their second charity event of the year was already turning out to be a great success, thanks to Cade. Her chest clutched.

If only Alana were here to see this...

She found a spot on the lawn large enough for the SUV, then climbed out, shouldered her backpack purse, and draped her coat over her arm. The mid-February evening air was crisp, and her breath came out in puffs of steam. Shivering, she bolted up the porch steps, passing the beautiful planter Cade had given her. She couldn’t wait to add some gerbera daisies to it in the spring.

“Meow!” Bryant sauntered out from behind the planter and nudged her leg with his head.

“Hi there, sweetie.” She stroked his ear. “I bet you’re hiding out here so no one steps on you, huh?”

The cat meowed again and then scrambled down the porch steps to the driveway.

Yanking open the door, Everleigh was greeted by a flurry of activity. Conversations in every room tickled her ears, and the delicious aroma of chicken parmigiana, lasagna, and garlic bread made her pause and savor the moment.

She peered above the doorway, where Cade had stenciled those beautiful words that Alana had left on the business plan:

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

Everleigh smiled as she hugged her arms to her middle, letting memories of Alana wash over her.

“We need more sparkling juice at table four,” someone hollered nearby, pulling Everleigh from her thoughts.

“I got it!” someone else responded.

Everleigh set her purse and keys on the bench in the foyer and peeked in the kitchen, where Mom and Harlowe, whose baby bump was hardly a bump, balanced trays of food. Both were ambling toward the back door.

Dad was busy filling baskets with garlic bread, while Landon and Amber, whose large diamond engagement ring twinkled in the kitchen lights, pulled trays of lasagna out of the oven. Roger stood nearby mixing up salad while his sister, her boyfriend, and Declan set the bowls on trays, preparing to take them out to the guests.

Everleigh was so touched by how everyone had pulled together to get Alana’s Angels off the ground. When she and Cade shared the idea of renaming the nonprofit Alana’s Angels and starting it in her memory, her family members and friends were all excited to pitch in.

A newborn’s cry sounded, and Everleigh stopped herself from jumping into action.

---