Page 66 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“I’m late for work, but I didn’t want to talk to you over the phone.” She blew out a deep breath, and he noticed that she somehow looked older. The gray streaks in her short, light-brown hair were more prominent, and the wrinkles around her mouth and her eyes seemed deeper. Had this unexpected news aged her overnight?

Cade settled into the chair and tried to prepare himself for whatever bomb she was going to drop today.

“Last night I told your father about... about Declan.” Her fingers moved over the arm of the love seat.

Cade rested his elbows on his knees. “And?”

“He was shocked to say the very least.”

“Rightfully so.” Cade considered his father—a kind, generous, and patient man who rarely raised his voice, even when Cade was a bratty teenager. “Why didn’t you tell him sooner—like thirty-four years ago?”

“It was too painful to talk about.” Her voice hitched.

“But Dad would’ve supported you, Mom. You should know that.” He brushed his hands over his shorts. “I would have too.” He paused. “We both love you.”

She pulled a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. “I know that. But that was a difficult part of my life that I’d tried to put behind me.”

Cade was speechless, still trying to make sense of what his mother had just shared. How could anyone just forget about a child they’d brought into the world? He wasn’t a father, but he hoped to become one someday—at least, he’d wanted to before Serena destroyed his belief in love. He couldn’t imagine forgetting his own child. His mother’s words made no sense to him at all.

If his mother could forget her older son so easily, did that mean she could forget him too?

“I can tell you’re disappointed in me, Cade,” she began, “but I hope you’ll understand that I am just not able to let Declan into my life. And I need you to accept that.”

“Why?”

“Because I need you to respect my feelings,” she said, standing from the love seat.

“Mom, I’m really trying to respect your feelings, but I can’t.” Hestood and held his palms up. “Please help me understand how you can deny your own child.”

She wiped her eyes and then stashed the tissue into her pocket. “I’m not ready to see him. Please tell him I can’t meet with him right now.”

“But he’s leaving Sunday,” Cade said. “It’s Tuesday, Mom. He’s your family.” He pointed to his chest. “He’smyfamily too. Why can’t you get past whatever is holding you back and go see him?”

“I can’tget past it.” She nearly spat the words at him. “You make it sound so easy, but you have no idea what I’ve been through,” she said, her voice shaking.

He took a step toward her. “No, I don’t know what you’ve been through. So, tell me. I’m here, and I’m listening, Mom.” He paused and waited for her response, but she remained silent as she stared at him. “Please, Mom. Tell me so I can understand why you feel the need to reject your own son.”

Her fingers moved over the strap of her purse as her expression paled. After a moment, she shook her head. “I can’t.” She glanced at her watch. “And I need to go,” she muttered, hurrying across the room. She stopped in the doorway and faced him again. “If I change my mind before Sunday, I’ll let you know.”

Cade nodded his head.

“If you want to get to know him, that’s fine. But I-I just can’t.” She pulled a business card out of her pocket and set it on a shelf by the door. “Bye,” she said before disappearing from the suite. Seconds later, her footfalls sounded on the stairs.

He picked up the card from the shelf and wasn’t surprised to see it was Declan’s. Cade studied Declan’s name and phone number and sighed. Sadness, hurt, confusion, and frustration roared through him. He once again pocketed the card and trudged back to the bathroom.

He tried to concentrate on his work, but his hands felt like lumps of clay. What on earth had happened to his mother? What else was she trying to forget?

***

Cade was lost in thought later that afternoon when he spotted movement in the doorway behind him. He turned to see Everleigh standing there, leaning against the doorframe. She was effortlessly pretty, clad in a bright-pink tank top and blue jean shorts. Her face was makeup-free, and her hair was styled in a messy bun on the top of her head. Her dark eyes were focused on him, and her brow was crumpled.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey yourself.” Her smile somehow eased the coiled muscles in his back. “You missed lunch.”

“What time is it?”

“After two.” She stepped into the bathroom and sat on the edge of the tub. “I saw you leave and then come back earlier.”

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