Page 76 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Declan paused, and she held her breath.

Finally, he nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”

“Great!” She resisted the urge to jump up and down like an excited child. “We’ll see you then.”

They said goodbyes, and Everleigh started toward her car. When Declan called her name again, she spun to face him. His eyes seemed to sparkle with hope, and at that moment, they reminded her of Cade’s.

“Thank you,” Declan said.

“You’re welcome,” she told him. As she climbed into her SUV, she compared how much Cade wanted Declan in his life to her rocky relationship with her sister. Renewed hope plunged through her as she fished her phone out of her backpack purse and dialed Harlowe’s number.

When it went to voicemail, she tried to disregard the ache deep inside her.

After the beep, she said, “Harlowe, I miss you.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll be at the fall festival on Saturday, and I hope you’ll be there too.” She pressed her hand to her forehead. “Let’s work this out,” she said, her voice sounding thin. “You’re my only sister, and I love you. Call me back. Bye.” Surely this message would touch Harlowe’s heart and encourage her to reach out.

***

Everleigh hummed to herself while she carried a cup of coffee down the rock path toward Cade’s apartment. It was Saturday morning, and the sun was hidden behind a cluster of dark clouds. The mid-October air was warm, and the marigolds danced in the breeze. It was almost ten, and she was surprised she hadn’t seen Cade yet. But since their guests had left earlier that morning and insisted they would get breakfast on the road, Cade had most likely taken the opportunity to sleep in.

She checked around for Bryant, but when he didn’t appear on the porch, she assumed he had spent the night in Cade’s apartment. She hurried over to his door and knocked. After a few beats, she knocked again.

“Cade? Cade!” she called. “You up?” She rapped on the door again, and after a few moments, muted footsteps sounded on the stairs.

The door swung open, and Cade, yawning, dragged a hand through his messy, light-brown hair. He wore a black tank top and athletic shorts, and Everleigh yearned to run her finger along the scruff lining his angular jaw. “Where’s the fire?” he asked before yawning again.

“Good morning.” She held the coffee out to him. “This is for you.” She lifted her chin. “Just how you like it. A little bit of creamer and two sugars.”

He took a sip. “Thanks. It’s perfect.” He took another drink and studied her. “Why are you up so early?”

“It’s almost ten, and you need to get dressed.” She pointed to his shorts and tried not to stare at his legs.

“Why?” His eyes questioned her.

“You’re taking me to the fall festival.”

He shook his head. “Sorry, darlin’, but I’m not a fan of crowds. I don’t do festivals.”

“But I haven’t been to one in years, and you’re going to take me.” She clapped her hands. “So, chop-chop. Let’s go.”

He drank more coffee, his eyes watching her over the top of the mug. “Why don’t you ask Trevor to take you?” His tone held a hint of snark or possibly something else.

She rolled her eyes. “Because I wantyouto take me, Cade.”

Surprise traveled across his face, and he tapped the doorframe with his free hand. “Give me ten minutes. We’ll take my truck.”

“Wonderful!” she said with excitement. Then she peeked past him. “I haven’t seen Bryant today. Is he with you?”

Cade grinned, and her pulse spiked. “He’s still in bed. He didn’t want to get up either.”

She laughed. “I’ll meet you at your truck.” She did a little dance as she took off toward the inn. Today was going to be perfect.

***

Cade glanced at Everleigh beside him on the bench seat of his truck. She kept shifting—crossing and uncrossing her long, slender legs before folding her arms over her pink T-shirt. “Too much caffeine?” he asked.

“Huh?” Her dark eyes met his, and an attractive flush tinged her cheeks. “Sorry. What’d you say?”

He swept his hand over his mouth. “You seem preoccupied.”

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