Page 19 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

While Dad and Mom chitchatted, Everleigh returned to her predicament. She was stunned by how Cade insisted he knew what Alana wanted because he’d worked for her for almost two years. But Everleigh had to admit, there seemed to be a lot about her godmother she didn’t know.

Cade... her illness... plans for the future of the inn...

For a moment, everything had seemed so clear to Everleigh. Alana had left her the inn as a way to help her jump-start the next phase of Helping Angels. Everleigh knew Alana’s heart. Her godmother had supported her dream, even going so far as to help form her business plan. Surely Alana would be honored if Everleigh started it in her memory.

She pushed aside the little voice in her head that reminded her that Alana had only left her half of the inn, and that for some reason, she’d left the other half to Cade—the one who’d cared for Alana when she was sick, who had been there every day keeping the inn running, who was heractualpartner in business.

No, her godmother must have had a reason for wanting her and Cade to come together. Maybe he needed the money for something too. Alana was their guardian angel—and while Cade hadn’t been swayed yet, Everleigh would find a way to convince him.

“Okay, Everleigh,” Dad began, “you’ve been silent long enough. You normally talk our ears off when you’re home. What’s on your mind?”

Her parents’ determined stares finally broke her down. It was time to tell them exactly what she and Cade had discussed.

“I want to sell the inn, but Cade doesn’t.” Everleigh lifted one shoulder in a half shrug, but never let her smile drop.

“You want to sell the inn?” Dad asked.

Mom gasped. “What makes you think Alana would want you to sell it?”

Everleigh’s finger absently drew shapes in the condensation on her glass of Diet Coke. “Alana and I often discussed starting a nonprofit to help parents of critically ill children. We’ve talked about it for a few years, but I haven’t been able to make it happen yet. If I sell the inn, I can continue that dream in her memory.”

Mom shook her head. “I remember when she inherited money from her parents to buy that inn. She was so excited. It was Alana’s lifelong dream to own a place that made her visitors happy.”

Everleigh swallowed.

Dad’s expression was serious. “Cade’s your equal partner. You need to respect his opinion.”

“I know,” Everleigh said. “I plan to talk to him about it some more and explain how the nonprofit can help so many people.”

Dad’s expression was grave. “Don’t ruin your working relationship with him over this. My brother’s insurance agency went under when he and his partner had a feud. This is serious.”

Everleigh nodded but decided it was time to change the subject. “So, what’s new around Coral Cove?” she asked brightly. “I haven’t been home in a while.”

“The boardwalk has changed a bit,” Mom said.

“Really?” she asked. “How?”

“We have some new stores out there. Let’s check it out sometime.”

“Absolutely,” Everleigh said.

After they finished supper and cleaned up the kitchen, Everleigh disappeared into her room and pulled out the postcards she’d stuffed in her pocket earlier. She found her laptop and began searching websites for local Realtors. A couple of them appeared friendly—but were they trustworthy? They couldn’t leave the inn’s future in the hands of just anyone.

Her mom’s words echoed in her mind:“It was Alana’s lifelong dream to own a place that made her visitors happy.”

Everleigh slouched in her desk chair and swiveled back and forth. She’d never do anything to hurt Alana’s memory. In fact, she was convinced Alana had left her half of the innfor the purposeof making the nonprofit a reality.

An idea hit her like a bolt of lightning. The best way to get through to Cade was tobethere, on-site. If he got to know her, he’d see her intentions were sincere. Upon realizing that, surely he’d agree to sign with an agent and sell it to the right buyer. Then he could use his half to do something meaningful too.

And to make him see that, she needed to move into Alana’s suite.

Excitement buzzed through her. Jumping up from the chair, Everleigh yanked her large suitcase from the closet and began filling it with her clothes.

“Going somewhere?”

Everleigh turned to her mother, who was standing in the doorway. “I’m moving into Alana’s suite until her affairs are in order.”

“Really?” Mom sat in Everleigh’s desk chair and frowned.

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