Page 38 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“Thanks, but I got it,” he offered.

They studied each other for a moment, and once again he felt they were on the same side. This emotional tug-of-war when it came to her was frustrating and also... bewildering.

“I’ll be out front,” he told her, and she nodded. Then he slipped outside to the porch, where he pulled his phone from his pocket and read her text:Hi, partner!

Cade saved her number in his contacts, and his mind raced with something he couldn’t define. He slipped on his gardening gloves and grabbed a nearby bucket. Then he crouched down and tried to bury his baffling thoughts while he yanked up a handful of weeds.

Why had Everleigh been so excited about the inn’s regular guests? She was a puzzle he couldn’t solve. On one hand, she wanted to sell the inn, and insisted Alana was their guardian angel. But on the other, she was almost turning cartwheels at the mention of the Newtons.

He leaned forward and pulled another weed, then dropped it into the bucket. As he worked, an idea slowly began to form. Maybe if Everleigh remembered how much she loved the inn, she might not want to sell it anymore. If they hosted more guests and she enjoyed the work, would that compel her to take it off the market?

Hope swelled inside him, and he balanced on his heels. She clearly had some affection for the place, but her idea for the nonprofit was getting in the way. If he could remind Everleigh just how much the inn meant to him, to her, and to the guests who loved to stay there, then maybe, just maybe, they could keep it.

And he could keep his promise to Alana.

Chapter 10

“This was so fun,” Mom said. “I’m glad you finally made time to go shopping with me.”

It was Saturday morning, and the warm breeze brought with it the scent of salt water and cocoa butter. While Everleigh and her mother walked along the boardwalk at the Coral Cove oceanfront, the rhythmic cadence of the waves, along with the happy sounds of children playing, hovered over them. Although Everleigh enjoyed the smell of the beach, she could only stand to watch the waves from a distance. Any closer and she was reminded of the time she’d almost drowned when she was ten. She trembled despite the heat as the memory gripped her.

Pushing her sunglasses up higher on her nose, she stepped to the side to allow a few giddy teenage girls to hurry past her. “The new shops are so cute, Mom. The handbag store has some good deals.”

“Maybe too good.” Mom held up her large shopping bag. “It’s a shame Harlowe couldn’t join us though.”

Everleigh did her best to mask the frown that threatened to overtake her face. She hadn’t heard from her sister since their family dinner, and she tried not to let it bother her.

They came to the end of the boardwalk, and Mom’s face flickered with concern. “How are things going at the inn?”

“Fine.” Everleigh sang her answer just as a line of riders on colorful bicycles sped past as if in a parade.

“Have you gotten any offers?”

She filled her mother in on Valerie’s visit. “Cade and I aren’t going to budge though. We won’t accept an offer from anyone who wants to demolish the inn.” They sat down on a bench beside each other. “But we have officially reopened the inn, and some of Alana’s favorite visitors are checking in later today. They always bring the best homemade jam.”

“How nice!” Mom said.

A couple who looked to be in their mid-twenties strolled by while holding hands.

“I’m hoping Landon finally proposes to Amber this year.” Mom shook her head. “I don’t know what your brother is waiting for. He’s almost thirty, and they’ve been together almost five years.” Then she focused on Everleigh. “And what about you? You’re not too far behind him. Are you going to spend the rest of your life single and traveling?”

Here we go again.Everleigh could count on her mother bringing up this conversation at least once a year. And each time, she gave the same answer. “I love my job, Mom.”

“I know,” Mom agreed. “You love those babies. But don’t you want one of your own?”

Everleigh’s smile never faltered. “Sure. Someday.”

Mom slipped her arm around Everleigh’s shoulders. “You’ll be a great mom.”

“That’s because I have the best example to follow.” She rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.

After a few moments, Mom checked her watch. “Oh, dear. We’d better get going.”

They walked to Mom’s Subaru, and Mom hugged her. “Will I see you soon?”

“You will.” Everleigh waited until her mother backed out of the parking space before she waved and crossed the street. She headed down Main Street, and when she came to Crafty Creations, she peered in the window. Customers milled around Cade’s mother’s store, moving through the aisles carrying baskets overflowing with everything from markers and stickers to frames and pipe cleaners. Behind the long customer service counter was a whiteboard advertising a list of available classes—jewelry making, painting, drawing, wreath making, and a variety of classes for kids.

Everleigh recalled the shelf she’d caught Cade building. It was obvious he inherited his creativity and talent from his mother. Perhaps she’d even encouraged his interest in cooking.

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