Page 10 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Harlowe’s mouth opened and then closed before her eyes bugged out. “What?” she exclaimed. “You got half of the B&B?”

“Yeah, I did.” Everleigh shifted her weight on her feet.

“Who got the other half?”

“Cade Witherspoon. He’s been working for Alana for a while, but I hadn’t met—”

“What about Landon and me?” Harlowe demanded, jamming her finger at her chest. “Why did you get it? Is it because Mom named you after her? How’s that even fair?”

Everleigh turned toward the end of the hallway, where a group of folks watched them. “Harlowe, can we calm down, please?” she said, her words measured. “People are staring.”

“I don’t care!” her sister exclaimed. “Why did you get the inn while Landon and I got nothing?”

Everleigh pulled a deep breath in through her nose. “I-I don’t know. Maybe because I worked there every summer from when I was eleven until I left for college?”

“Or maybe because you’ve always been her favorite for some ridiculous reason.” Harlowe nearly spat the words at her before marching toward the ladies’ room and leaving Everleigh standing alone.

Everleigh rested against the wall and rubbed her forehead. Why did she even bother trying to be closer to Harlowe, who snubbed her every chance she could? Why couldn’t they work out whatever continued to fester between them?

But Everleigh could change her sister’s mind. She’d keep working on her, and someday they’d have the close relationship she craved.

She glimpsed back down the hallway, and her gaze locked with Cade’s. He stood with the older couple and the man she’d seen beside him in the pew. His expression was closed off, even cold, and she bit back a groan as embarrassment seized her.

Oh no.Had he witnessed her contentious exchange with her sister? She hoped not. Her lips formed a tight smile, and she waved as if Harlowe hadn’t just ripped her apart in public.

Cade faced the woman who was talking.

“Everleigh!”

At the sound of her name, Everleigh turned. Quinn Evans had appeared and was reaching out to pull her into a tight hug. “I haven’t seen you in a million years.”

Relief flooded Everleigh. A friendly face was just what she needed, and Quinn Evans had been a dear friend to her when she was growing up.

“Quinn, you look amazing.” She smiled. “Actually, you look exactly the same as you did in high school.” Which was true—with her dark hair styled in the same pixie cut that had become her trademark, Everleigh’s petite friend was still the five-foot-one dynamo she remembered. “What are you up to these days?”

“I’ll have you know I’m the head librarian at the Coral Cove Library.” She rested her hands on her small hips.

“Good for you.”

“Thanks. I tried real estate for a while, but it didn’t work out. I always loved libraries, so I decided to go back to school and make a career change.” Her smile dipped downward. “I’m so sorry about Alana. I remember how close you were to her. You spent all of your free time with her, and I loved going with you and helpingout at the inn.” Her blue eyes studied Everleigh. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine,” Everleigh said, hoping to shift gears. “Do you have a special guy in your life?”

“Nope. Still single. You?”

“Same. I’m going to be in town for a while. We should get together.”

“Yes! Give me your phone.” Quinn took Everleigh’s phone and sent herself a text.

Everleigh saved her number and then rubbed her hands together. “Now. Give me all of the juicy town updates I’ve missed since high school.”

Quinn lifted her eyebrows. “All of them?” she asked, and Everleigh nodded. “Well, did you know that the president of our senior class is now the president of a bank?”

“No way!” Everleigh laughed, relaxing a bit as Quinn began to fill her in on the latest gossip.

***

“The service was lovely.” Cade’s mom sniffed and dabbed her eyes with a tissue while they stood in the hallway outside the reception hall. “Alana was such a sweet woman and only fifty-seven years old. I just can’t believe it.”

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