Page 98 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

She laughed as she unfastened her seat belt and pushed the door open. “Come on in.”

The delicious aroma of pizza coupled with the murmur of conversations greeted them when they walked inside the house. Everleigh guided Cade through the den to the kitchen, where her parents, Landon, Amber, Roger, and Quinn had packed around the table.

“You finally got here,” Landon announced.

Cade picked up a can of Coke. “I had to shower.”

“Yes, he did,” Everleigh agreed, and everyone chuckled.

Mom pointed to the line of pizzas on the counter. “We have every flavor imaginable.”

“Even Hawaiian.” Landon made a face. “Putting pineapple on pizza is just plain wrong.”

Cade tapped Everleigh’s shoulder and leaned in close. “I learned early in the restaurant business that people get very emotional about their pizza toppings.” His voice against her ear sent an electrical current cascading down her spine. “What kind would you like, partner?”

“Pepperoni works for me,” she told him.

He picked up two plates. “Coming right up.” He filled a plate with pepperoni pizza and one with meat lover’s before they squeezed in at the table, their legs resting against each other.

Everleigh smiled while Landon shared his police patrol stories, and Cade laughed along with the rest of the group. Amber joined in and told a few of her rescue tales from the fire department.

Later Dad pulled out ice cream and all the fixings, and Everleigh felt herself relaxing as they built ice cream sundaes and ate them.

“What’s your current plan for the inn?” Dad asked before shoveling a spoonful of vanilla smothered in chocolate syrup into his mouth.

Cade swallowed a bite of his sundae. “After we get the check from the insurance company, I was going to talk to Everleigh about having Roger’s company rebuild the sunroom.”

“Why would I disagree with you about that?” she asked.

Landon snickered. “At least not in front of Roger.”

Roger shrugged, and everyone laughed.

“We’ll need to find a tree service first to cut back the oak tree,” Everleigh said.

Cade nodded. “I thought about that too.”

“I can get you a list of recommended companies,” Amber said.

“Fantastic,” Cade said.

Mom squirted whipped cream onto her sundae. “Alana often told me how much she loved working with you, Cade. I’m sure you have plenty of great stories about being at the inn with her.”

“I do.” Cade nodded.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Landon asked. “Share!”

Cade leaned back on his seat, and his arm brushed Everleigh’s, sending a rush of warmth through her. “One time we had some guests coming from Europe, and she insisted we have a more sophisticated breakfast than I usually serve.”

“What?” Everleigh squeaked. “Your breakfasts are delicious.”

He held his hand up. “Hold on. So I made some pastries and had fruit and bagels.”

“I can feel the punch line coming...” Landon said.

“Yeah.” Cade rubbed a spot on his chest. “They asked me to make scrambled eggs, bacon, and home fries for the rest of their stay.”

Everyone laughed.

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