Page 75 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

An engine rumbled, and he looked out the window to see Everleigh driving her Trailblazer toward the road. She seemed awfully excited to go to the grocery store. What was she up to?

“Well, I’ll let you go. Give me a call soon, and we’ll get together.”

“I will. Bye.” Cade disconnected the call and continued to pet the cat while trying to banish the memory of Everleigh in her two-piece bathing suit. The feel of her holding on to him, the sound of the gentle rolling waves at the beach... He had to get his feelings for her under wraps. Anything more would only mean disaster for Cade Witherspoon.

***

Everleigh’s heart began to race as she parked her SUV in front of Cade’s mother’s store, Crafty Creations. Now that Cade had helped her overcome her fear of the ocean, she yearned to do something nice for him in return. The flyer for the fall festival had sparked an idea in her mind—something she could do to help bring his family together.

She could tell the situation with Declan and their mother was breaking Cade’s heart. And she cared about Cade, even though they’d never be more than... What evenwerethey? Acquaintances? Friends? Business partners?

Everleigh hefted her purse onto her shoulder and yanked open the door at Crafty Creations. A bell chimed to announce her entrance, and a buzz of conversations swirled around her as customers lingered in the aisles, filling up their shopping baskets with art supplies. She weaved past a group of teenagers discussing a beaded bracelet making kit and trading friendship bracelets for an upcoming concert.

Her plan came together in her mind as she approached the register,where a young woman with a nose ring and pink highlights in her blond hair stood.

Everleigh waved to her. “Hi. I saw the poster in the window advertising the fall festival on Saturday, and I heard that many of the Coral Cove retailers were going to have booths there. Will you have one too?”

The young woman shrugged. “We always do.”

“Great.” Everleigh searched the store for Cade’s mom but didn’t see her. “Will Mrs. Witherspoon be there?”

“In the booth?”

“Yeah.” Everleigh paused, hoping the answer would be yes.

The young woman nodded. “She’s holding a wreath-making class to try to drum up more business.”

“Fantastic!” Everleigh clapped her hands.

The young woman studied Everleigh as if she were nuts, then pulled a clipboard out from under the counter. “We’re already taking reservations. Did you want to sign up for the class?”

“Nope, but thank you.” Everleigh started backing away. “I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Um. Okay...”

Everleigh moved through the aisles and out to her SUV. She drove through Coral Cove toward the bay and followed the winding road to the Rosewood Inn, a sprawling gray colonial with a wraparound porch decorated with swings and planters containing colorful flowers. She steered into the parking lot and smiled when she spotted a dark-colored sedan with a North Carolina tag. She hoped it was Declan’s car.

She hurried up to the sidewalk, and as she reached the porch steps, the front door opened. As if by fate, Declan stepped outside. She waved to him. “Declan, hi.”

“Everleigh, right?”

“That’s right. I was hoping you’d be here.”

His brow puckered. “You were?”

“Yeah.” She folded her hands. “I wanted to invite you to the Coral Cove Fall Festival on Saturday so you can get a real feel for the town before you go home.”

His expression flashed with suspicion.

“Cade will be there.”

He studied her for a moment, and her skin felt itchy under his scrutiny. “Did Cade ask you to invite me?”

“Uh-huh. Yup. He sure did.” She squirmed at the half-truth, but she considered this a harmless little white lie—something she didn’t ordinarily do. Surely Declan and Cade would understand she was fibbing for the sake of bringing their family together. “Will you meet us there around eleven on Saturday?”

“Meet you where?”

“In front of the bookstore, Beach Reads.”

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