Page 133 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“Everleigh!” Quinn called from outside the tent. “Over here!”

She joined her friend, and Quinn took her by the arm. As they walked up the path to the house, Quinn nodded her head toward the sunroom. “Someone’s waiting for you in there.”

“Cade?”

“Of course it’s Cade.” Quinn rolled her eyes. “Head on in there.”

Everleigh studied her. “Why are you acting so weird?”

“Please stop asking questions and just go, okay?”

Everleigh stopped on the steps and turned toward the sunroom. The blinds were drawn, but the silhouette of a tall man moved around the room. “Cade’s in there?” she asked. “Why?”

“Ugh! Just go already!”

Everleigh finished the last of her can of Diet Coke, tossed it into the recycle bin outside the back door, then jogged up the stairs and into the house. A wall of warm air greeted her, along with the buzz of conversation drifting down the hallway from the kitchen.

She moved to the sunroom doorway and stopped. Cade stood in the middle of the room, dressed in khakis and a light-blue collared shirt that complemented his eyes. His face was clean-shaven, which accentuated his angular jaw. He held a single red rose while two champagne flutes full of sparkling grape juice sat on the end table beside him.

He tipped the rose toward her. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” She nodded toward the windows behind him. “Shouldn’t we be helping outside?”

“It’s going just fine without us.”

“But you’re the chef.” She pointed toward the hallway. “Don’t they need you in the kitchen?”

He waved her off. “Your dad and Declan have it covered. The food’s prepped. All they have to do is stick it in the oven.”

“You really think they can handle it without you?”

He shrugged. “If not, then they’ll come find me.” He held his hand out to her. “Come here, darlin’.”

Swoon.

She took a step toward him and then stopped to examine her clothes. She’d been wearing her purple scrubs for nearly fourteen hours now. “I’m not dressed for celebrating anything. Can you give me a few minutes to change?”

“You look beautiful, as always.” His eyes seemed to plead with her. “Please.”

She scrunched her nose. “Babe, I really need a shower.”

His adorable puppy dog look made her smile. She allowed him to take her hand and guide her to him. She took the rose he handed her and breathed in its sweet fragrance. Then she cupped her hand to his smooth cheek. “I love you, Cade.”

He swallowed, and something flared in his eyes, making her legs wobble. “Everleigh, I love you and our life here.”

“I do too.”

“You’re the love of my life.” He paused. “For a long time, I was sure I’d spend the rest of my life alone. I’d given up hope of ever falling in love, getting married, and having a family, but after I met you, I realized life hadn’t passed me by. Instead, my life was just beginning.”

He dropped to one knee, and she pressed her hands to her collarbone. All the air whooshed from her lungs.

“Everleigh, I know we haven’t been dating very long, but when you find the love of your life, you can’t let her slip through your fingers. I almost lost you once, and I can’t risk that again.”

Tears stung her eyes.

“I’m ready to plan a future as your partner—yourpermanentpartner.” He hesitated. “If you’ll let me, I want to be your husband and raise a family with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side.” He pulled a jewelry box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a large, round diamond solitaire ring sitting on a white-gold setting.

“Oh, Cade.” Tears streamed down her face.

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