Page 26 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“Did you ever cook with Alana?”

“Often.” He pointed his fork at Everleigh. “But it looks like you didn’t.”

“And you’d be right.” She laughed. “Have you ever considered owning a restaurant?”

“I did.”

“And...?” she prodded.

He took a sip from his glass of sweet iced tea. “Didn’t work out.”

“What happened?”

He took a bite of fish and swallowed it. “Why’d you become a nurse?”

She thought she might get whiplash from the subject change, but she decided to let it go. Cade didn’t want to talk about himself. But she’d get the entire story out of him someday. He would open up to her.

“When I was a kid, my nana fell and broke her leg,” she said. “Shattered it, really.”

Cade winced. “Ouch.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “She was in the hospital and then in rehab while she learned how to walk again. I remember going to visit her, and I was in awe of the nurses who took care of her. They would swoop in and bring her medication, transport her safely to the bathroom, and help her get dressed. They were the angels who made sure she had what she needed.” She rested her fork on the edge of her plate. “They made a real impression on me. I was about eight when I decided I was going to be a nurse. I’ve always loved helping people, making them happy, making their day better.”

He appeared impressed. “Do you work with the elderly?”

“No, the opposite. I work in the NICU.”

“Nick-you?” he asked.

She smiled. “It stands for neonatal intensive care unit. It’s where newborn babies go when they need special care.”

“Oh.” He nodded. “Why babies?”

“When I did my clinicals, I spent time in the NICU. I had to examine the babies, take their vitals, give them medication, and feed them.” She sighed as memories flashed through her mind. “It wassuch a blessing to hold these little miracles in my arms.” She picked up her fork and moved it around on the plate.

“I went on to other clinicals, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the babies. When I finished school and found out about the traveling nurse program, I signed up for NICU positions so I could go to hospitals that need me. And that’s how I became a traveler. The hours are long, and the shifts are unpredictable, but I love what I do. I was out in Iowa and then West Virginia and then Colorado.” She rested her chin on her palm while she focused on the small pile of rice on her plate. “Some days are rough, but they’re rewarding too. And there’s nothing better than when a baby I’ve taken care of finally gets to go home. Just seeing the joy in the parents’ faces is the most incredible feeling. It’s such a gift to be a part of something so important.”

She sighed. “I took a month off a couple years ago, and it was the last time I came home. I thought maybe it was time to move on and do something else. But I found I missed the cry of the babies and sound of the monitors going off.” She snickered at herself. “That’s when I accepted that being in the NICU is my calling.”

She looked up and found him staring at her. And the intensity in his dazzling eyes stole her breath for a moment. She tried to decipher this expression, and wondered if he was intrigued. Was he as fascinated with her as she was with him?

The silence stretched between them, so she pushed back her chair. “How about some dessert? I was sure I’d mess up cookies if I tried to make them myself, so I picked up a box instead. I hope you like chocolate chip.”

“Sure,” he said softly.

The warmth in his expression caught her by surprise, and she hurried to the kitchen to collect the box of cookies. When she sat back down, her phone began to sing, but she turned off the ringer and pushed the phone to the pocket of her jean shorts.

“Friend of yours?” he asked while choosing a cookie from the box.

“One of the recruiters.” When his brow puckered, she added, “I registered with a couple of agencies for nursing jobs, and the recruiters call me nonstop trying to offer me new positions. So many hospitals are short-staffed that I can pretty much choose where in the country I want to go. I can even apply to work abroad.”

“Sounds like you’re in high demand.”

She chuckled. “Well, I wouldn’t say that. I’ve told them I’m taking some time off to handle some family issues, but that doesn’t deter them from constantly calling.”

They each ate a cookie, and then Cade relaxed into the chair. “Delicious.” He rested his hands on his flat abdomen. “What was the occasion?”

She sat up straight and took a deep breath. “I was hoping we could talk.” She reached behind her and grabbed her business plan from the buffet. “I wanted to show you something.”

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