Page 105 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“Is that right?” Cade shook his head. Did this guy think he was an idiot? “You can save the song and dance. I know you’re working with Valerie Rhodes.”

Trevor tapped his chin. “Valerie Rhodes? I don’t know who that is. I’m not working with anyone. I’m new in town, and I just wanted to—”

“Give it up,” Cade insisted, his voice rising. “You think I’m an imbecile, but I’m not. It’s obvious what you’re doing here.”

“Cade, I’m telling you the truth. I’m not trying to do anything underhanded.” Then he paused and took a step toward him. “Wait a minute. Are you worried that I’m moving in on your girl? I never meant to do that either. You like Everleigh, right? But you haven’t found the courage to tell her. If that’s the case, then I’ll back off.”

“Please do back off,” Cade snapped. “You can try to pull one over on her, but it’s not going to work with me. You’re trying to convince Everleigh to sell to the developer Valerie represents. I haven’t figured out your connection to the developer, but I will. And you’re taking advantage of Everleigh to do it. You can rest assured I won’t let you double-cross her. I’ll be sure she knows the truth. Besides that, we own this place equally, and she can’t sell without my consent.”

“You’ve got it all wrong, Cade.” Trevor’s expression and tone was so sleazy, Cade’s skin began to crawl. “I’m not trying to convince Everleigh to do anything. I’m just trying to be a good friend.”

This guy was a professional snake, and Cade’s fingers itched as he balled them into fists.

Keep it together! Deep breaths, Cade.

He was determined to somehow rein in his temper. He had to, or he’d look like the bad guy to Everleigh. “Come on, man. I saw you at the home improvement store. You were leaning in the window of Valerie’s Porsche. And you two looked very comfortable with each other.”

“I don’t know anyone named Valerie. You must have seen someone else with her. I was in the tool section.”

Cade’s body vibrated. He wasn’t getting anywhere with this guy. It was clear he was wasting his time. But Cade wasn’t a quitter.

Trevor glanced past Cade, and a sugary-sweet smile formed on his lips. Cade looked over his shoulder as Everleigh headed toward them, a serious expression overtaking her face.

Cade glared at Trevor. “When I tell her the truth, your charade will be over.”

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding here, Cade. There’s no charade, and I’m sorry if I did something to offend you.”

Cade glared at him before marching toward the back of the inn. If he was going to tell Everleigh the truth, he needed to tamp downhis fury first. He knew for sure Trevor wasn’t who he said he was. Problem was, Cade didn’t know exactly why Trevor was playing this game at all.

***

Everleigh dashed over to Trevor. “Sorry about that. I had to run inside for a minute.” Her glance rotated from Trevor to where Cade talked to Landon and her dad. His dark expression sent worry through her. “Did you and Cade have words again?”

“It’s fine.” He waved it off. “Just a misunderstanding.”

Not again!“I’m sorry about that. Without your help, we wouldn’t have finished the framing so quickly today.”

“It’s no problem.” Trevor shrugged. “He’s just protective of you, which I understand.” He took her hands in his. “I would be too. I’m just here to help you. That’s all.”

Everleigh studied his dark eyes as Cade’s warnings filtered through her mind. Why was Trevor so eager to help her? And why was he always asking so many questions about the inn?

Trevor cocked his head to the side. “Everything all right?”

“Yeah.” She pulled her hands out of his grasp and then glanced toward where Cade spoke to her brother and father. It was time to put an end to this stress. She was tired of the constant arguing. “I think it might be best if you stayed away for a while. The inn is half his, so I need to take his feelings into account.”

Trevor nodded slowly. “That makes sense.”

“But I appreciate your help today.”

He pushed himself off his truck. “Sure thing.” He pointed toward the skeleton of the sunroom. “If you decide you want an extra set of hands when it’s time to hang the Sheetrock, let me know.”

“I will. Thanks.”

He opened his arms to hug her, but she held out her hand. He shook it before he climbed into his truck and drove away.

Everleigh made her way over to where Cade, Landon, and Dad were cleaning up the worksite. She pushed her hands into the pockets of her jeans and smiled. “Thanks for your help today, Dad. And Landon too.”

“You know I’m always game to help my baby sis.” Landon looped his arm around her neck and rubbed his knuckles on her head.

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