Page 33 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Cade read it and swallowed a groan.Of courseshe was a Realtor.And here we go...

Valerie looked at Cade, then Everleigh, then Cade again. “Which of you is the owner?”

“We both are.” Everleigh motioned between them. “Equal partners.”

“Great. Well, I represent Coral Cove Builders. This property sure is stunning, isn’t it?” Her bright-red lips turned up in a smile. “They areveryinterested in purchasing, and they’re prepared to make averygenerous offer.”

“Coral Cove Builders?” Everleigh asked.

Valerie nodded. “That’s right.”

“What do they plan to do with the land?”

Cade slipped the business card into his back pocket and pushed his sunglasses higher on his nose.

“This would be a fantastic place for luxury condos.” Valerie motioned toward the bay. “Can you imagine waking up to such a view of Coral Cove Bay? Maybe with a common area and a—”

“No.” Everleigh shook her head, and her thick red ponytail bounced off her slight shoulders.

Cade brushed a hand over his mouth to hide a smirk.Tell her, Everleigh!

“Excuse me?” Valerie had the nerve to look shocked.

“I said no,” Everleigh repeated. “We only want to sell to someone who will keep the spirit of the Sunshine Inn for the sake of my godmother’s memory.” She turned to Cade. “Right, Cade?”

He nodded. “Yup.”

“Oh, Coral Cove Builders will beveryrespectful.” Valerie touched her collarbone. “I understand that you want to remember Alana McFadden.” She clucked her tongue. “She was a pillar in our community, that’s for sure. You have my word that the company will remember her.”

Everleigh crossed her arms. “How exactly will they do that?”

“Well...” Valerie scanned the area and then pointed toward the water. “They can put a memorial bench by the bay. I’ll tell them to add a few plaques there as well. She’ll be honored and respected for sure.”

Cade turned toward Everleigh and waited for her response.You got this, partner!

Sure enough, she was steadfast. “We’re not interested in any offers that include knocking down the inn.”

“Is that right?” Valerie asked, and Everleigh nodded. “What if they offer cash?”

Everleigh shook her head.

“How about cashandtwenty-five percent over your asking price?”

“Thanks for your time, but no.” Everleigh started to back away from her.

Cade took in the frustration in Valerie’s expression.

“Well, it was nice meeting you,” Valerie said before strutting back toward her expensive SUV.

Once she was out of earshot, Everleigh threw Cade an annoyed look. “Thanks for helping with that.”

He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “You handled it just fine.”

Her face lit with a smile. “Really?”

“You didn’t need my help at all.”

“Thanks, partner.”

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