Page 115 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

Cade stood in the foyer alone.

And the silence was deafening.

***

Everleigh plastered a smile on her face while Landon shared a story about chasing a guy on foot who’d stolen a sandwich and soda from a gas station. She scanned the table and tried to focus. But her thoughts were tied up with Harlowe and Cade.

Her sister hadn’t shown up for supper. Instead, she and Branson had decided to join his family, and the sting of her absence was raw. Not only had Harlowe not contacted her since she’d left her a message at her office, but she’d decided not to come to supper on Thanksgiving.

To make matters worse, Everleigh was struggling to forget how Cade’s intense eyes had sent heat skipping over her skin when he’d stared at her in the kitchen.

I’m losing it. Officially off my rocker.

She studied her untouched turkey, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes. Was Cade enjoying supper with his parents right now? Was he thinking of her?

Stop it!

“Everleigh?”

Her head snapped up, and she found all the eyes around the table locked on her. She set her fork down and smiled. “What did I miss?”

“Is everything okay?” Dad asked.

“Yeah.” She moved her finger over the red tablecloth. “Is Harlowe coming for dessert?”

“We hope so.” Mom’s smile seemed unsure.

Everleigh did too. Surely Harlowe wouldn’t skip seeing her family on a holiday. She turned toward Amber. “How are your folks doing?”

“Fine,” Amber said. “My mom is talking about finally retiring from the bank. I hope she does. My dad keeps saying he wants to travel, and he’s been retired for a couple of years now. Says he’s ready to enjoy his golden years.”

Everleigh relaxed while Amber continued to talk about her parents. She nibbled her supper even though her stomach was tied up in a knot.

Once everyone had finished eating, she carried a stack of plates into the kitchen and began filling the dishwasher.

Amber set the silverware in the sink while Landon put the glasses on the counter.

“We need to get going to Amber’s parents’ place.” Landon touched Everleigh’s shoulder. “We promised we’d be there for dessert.”

Everleigh recalled how Cade had called her exes “losers,” and irritation nipped at her. But she didn’t want to make a scene. She peeked toward the doorway, where Amber was engrossed in a conversation with Mom. “Landon, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Did you tell Cade that all of my ex-boyfriends were losers?”

Landon stared at her for a moment before recognition glimmered in his eyes. “Oh. Um, maybe?” He cupped his hand to the back of his neck.

“Why would you betray me like that?”

“Whoa.” He lifted his hand. “I didn’t betray you, Evie. I didn’t say anything I wouldn’t have said to your face. In fact, I probablyhavesaid that to your face.”

“Then what did you say?” she asked. “Why were you even talking about me?”

“Hold on there, little sis,” Landon began, his words gentle. “We were discussing Trevor. I told Cade I didn’t trust him, and we talked about how you always look for the best in people. I mentioned that you used to bring home guys who... weren’t the best choice for you. I said they treated you badly, but you acted like you could save them.”

“I wish you’d kept that to yourself.”

“Cade knows how you are, Evie. He agreed that you always give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they don’t deserve it.” He grinned. “And that’s what makes you so lovable.”

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