Page 32 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“She’s our sister. I love her no matter what.” Everleigh watched as her sister’s taillights disappeared into the dark. “Like everyone else, she doesn’t like that I’m selling the inn. But I think everyone will understand why when the nonprofit all comes together.”

Landon scratched the back of his head and looked toward the porch, where Amber continued to talk to Mom and Dad.

“Let me guess,” Everleigh said. “You don’t agree with me selling the inn either.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?” Her worry pricked hard while she awaited his response.

“I get the feeling that Harlowe and Branson are having some sort of issue.”

“Oh no,” Everleigh said. “In their marriage?”

“More... financial.”

“What did you hear?”

Her brother hesitated. “I shouldn’t repeat this, but I overhead them discussing that they didn’t know how they were going to pay for something. I only got the tail end of it. So that could be why she’s upset she wasn’t in the will.”

Everleigh mulled over this troubling news. She’d always admired Branson and how patient, loyal, and sweet he was to her sister. Should she offer to help them somehow? When Harlowe finally opened up to her, Everleigh would do just that.

Landon held his hands up. “Please keep this to yourself.”

“I will,” she promised. Then she cocked her head to one side. “Doyouthink I’m wrong for selling the inn?”

Landon gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’ve known you my entirelife, and I’ve never witnessed you making a hasty decision. I’m sure you have your reasons for selling it, so just stay true to that decision.”

“I will.”

Amber jogged over to them. “You ready?” she asked Landon.

“Yeah.”

Amber pulled Everleigh in for a hug. “See you soon.”

Everleigh waved goodbye to her parents, and as she drove back to the inn, she pondered her brother’s words. She hoped she could make Alana proud, as well as her family.

Chapter 9

Cade steered the lawn tractor toward the pond Wednesday morning, pulling his ball cap lower on his head while the mower bounced and chattered. The leaves of the humongous oak tree shook as a couple of squirrels chased each other up and down the tree’s trunk. He peered out toward the birdfeeders near the benches next to the cove and made a mental note to fill them later.

He’d been keeping an eye on the reservation requests on the website, and so far, the inn didn’t have any. He hoped some folks would book soon since the inn had been closed for almost a month.

When he drove back toward the inn, he spotted Everleigh sitting on the sunroom porch and talking on her cell phone. He hadn’t spoken to her since Saturday, but they’d traded hospitable nods and waves over the past few days. He was grateful he hadn’t seen any potential buyers touring the grounds with her, and he hoped it stayed that way.

He made another pass by the benches and swing set, then did a double take when a black Porsche Cayenne motored up the driveway and pulled up by the sunroom. Cade squinted to get a betterlook, then killed the engine and climbed off the tractor. He made a beeline to the SUV, just as a tall and slender woman with platinum blond hair climbed out of the vehicle. She seemed a little out of place in her bright-red lipstick, expensive-looking sunglasses, designer pantsuit, and high heels.

Everleigh let the sunroom door close behind her, and Cade shared a confused expression with her before the woman spoke.

“Good morning!” she exclaimed. “I’m Valerie Rhodes.” She held a manicured hand out to Everleigh. “And you are...?”

“Everleigh Hartnett,” she said as the woman squeezed her hand. Cade was almost certain he saw Everleigh wince at the firm shake.

“Such a pleasure,” Valerie declared before turning her attention to Cade. “And you?”

“Cade Witherspoon,” he said, and she shook his hand.

“Fantastic.” Valerie clapped her hands. “Now, let’s get down to business. I saw the listing for the inn and wasthrilled.” She pulled two business cards out of her pocket and distributed them.

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