She opened the text message:
Trevor: Hey. Just checking in. How’s the sunroom?
Everleigh had reposted the ad for the inn five days ago. Valerie had texted twice and left two voicemails saying she wanted to discuss an offer over asking price, but Everleigh hadn’t responded. Cade’s warning rang through her mind. Surely Trevor’s true purpose in texting her was to find out why she hadn’t answered Valerie’s calls.
Everleigh tapped her fingers on her steering wheel as a surge of confidence overtook her.
Everleigh: Sunroom is done and the inn’s back up for sale. Is that why you’re really texting me? Are you looking for inside info on any offers we’ve received?
She held her breath as the moments ticked by. Suddenly the dancing dots appeared on her screen.
Trevor: Why would you think that?
She snorted before dropping her phone onto the passenger seat and starting her SUV. She flipped on the radio, and a pop song sang through the speakers. Her phone chimed again, and she turned the radio up louder. She wouldn’t allow Cade or anyone else to call her naïve ever again. And as far as she was concerned, she was done with Trevor.
***
Cade wrenched open the exit door at the bank and stalked out onto Main Street. The cold breeze rushed over him, and he jammed his hands into the pockets of his coat. It was Tuesday afternoon, two days before Thanksgiving, and disappointment weighed heavily on his shoulders.
He’d spent the past week trying to find a way to buy out Everleigh’s half of the inn. He’d applied for a couple of loans online, getting turned down for each of them, then applied in person at his bank. He’d tried putting his truck and motorcycle up as collateral, but that didn’t help. No matter what he attempted, his bad credit—all thanks to Serena and his failed restaurant—haunted him and squashed his opportunities.
He continued down Main Street, taking in the passing traffic both on the sidewalk and the road. Since the roof was fixed, the sunroom was completed, and the online ads for the inn were active again, he and Everleigh hadn’t spoken in a few days. He’d waved to her when he saw her outside with Bryant earlier in the day, but other than that, their friendship seemed to have gone the way of his credit. He tried in vain to ignore the grief that nagged him.
Why should he even be surprised? Everleigh had turned out to be just like Serena. Her actions reminded him why he’d worked to guard his heart and push away people who had tried to get close to him. It was better in the end to just remain alone.
His mother’s store came into view, and he quickened his steps. He needed to discuss plans for Thanksgiving with her, and he also wondered if she had spoken to Declan. Last he’d heard from his brother, their mother hadn’t made any efforts to contact him. Cade was determined to resolve that issue as soon as possible.
He pushed open the door, and the bell above it rang. He scooted past customers perusing a display of miniature car models and made a beeline for the counter, where a cute blond with a nose ring and streaks of pink in her hair stood looking bored. Her green eyes locked on his, and a bright smile lit up her face as she propped herself against the counter. “Can I help you?” she asked.
Cade looked down at her name tag. “Hi, Missy. Is Trisha here?” he asked.
Her brow wrinkled. “She’s in the back, but I can help you.” She stood up taller.
“I’m her son.”
“Oh.” Understanding overtook her face, and she gave him a once-over before twisting a lock of her pink and blond hair around her finger. “So you’re the famous Cade.”
He nodded before slipping through the door marked with an Employees Only sign. He found Mom sitting at her desk, staring at her computer screen.
“Cade!” She pushed her reading glasses up on her head and waved him over. “Give me a hug.”
What’s up with Mom?He couldn’t remember the last time she’d demanded a hug from him, but he complied before sitting on a chair in front of her desk.
“What’s going on, sweetie?”
He rested his right ankle on his left knee and drummed his fingers on his thigh. “I wanted to talk to you about Thanksgiving. I’d like to cook. I’ll pick up the turkey and all the fixings after I leave here. We can eat in the kitchen at the inn.”
“Great. What can I bring?”
He shrugged. “Dessert?”
“I’ll get a pie.”
“Perfect.” He hesitated, searching his mind for the best way to start a dialogue about his brother.
“Your dad said the sunroom was coming together.”
“It’s done,” he said. “The new furniture is supposed to be delivered tomorrow.”