Page 126 of Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

“You mean that?” Cade whispered as hope ignited deep inside him.

“Yes, I do, with all my heart.” She took his hands in hers. “This is a new start for our family. It’s time for us to grow. You were right about everything, Cade. We need to embrace each other.”

He sniffed.

“Will you forgive me?”

He reached over and hugged her, holding on tight. “Of course I forgive you. I hope you forgive me for pushing you so hard. I’m sorry we ambushed you at the fall festival. I never meant to hurt you. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, and I understand why you were so anxious to welcome your brother into our family.” She gave him a squeeze and then released him. “When I called Declan this morning, we talked for three hours.”

Cade brightened. “You did?”

She nodded. “He was so gracious.” She paused and sniffed. “I invited Declan and Stephanie to come for supper Saturday night, and they said yes.” She smiled. “You and Everleigh must come.”

Hearing Everleigh’s name was like a dagger to his heart. “It’ll be just me.” He paused. “She’s gone.”

“What do you mean?”

“We sold the inn, and she left for Atlanta.” He tried to sound causal even though the words cut deep.

Mom gasped, her expression horrified. “She left?”

“It was her choice.” He fiddled with a piece of wood in order to avoid her stare.

Mom was quiet for a moment. “How do you feel about Everleigh?”

He kept his eyes trained on the workbench as the truth drenched him.I love her.“I care about her—a lot.”

“Benjamin Cade Witherspoon III, look at me,” she ordered, and he complied. “You’re just as stubborn as I am.”

“Funny. I believe I’ve heard that before,” he deadpanned.

“Then take my advice. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. I’m grateful Declan is giving me another shot.”

He shook his head. “It’s pointless, Mom. This is just like Serena all over again. She left me. She’s gone, and that’s it.”

“If you love her, Cade, don’t let her slip through your fingers.”

He rubbed his chin.

“Go after Everleigh. You’ll be glad you did.”

They talked for a while longer before he walked her to her car. Once Mom was gone, Cade dropped onto the porch steps. A memory of the first time Everleigh had come to the inn flashed in his mind. He hadn’t been sure what to make of her that day, but as the weeks progressed, she became more and more important to him. And it had also become easier to open up to her. In fact, sharing his deepest secrets with her was something he’d never experienced with another woman in his life.

Then he recalled the night of Thanksgiving when Everleigh had told him about the Newtons’ offer. She’d seemed different—not at all her happy-go-lucky self, and maybe even a little sad. But whywouldn’tshe have been happy? She’d finally gotten what she’d wanted all along—the money from her “guardian angel” to start her nonprofit and her new life.

As his mind replayed their conversation, something suddenly occurred to him. He’d been so hurt and angry that he hadn’t been truly listening to her. Instead of gloating about it, she was trying to talk him out of it.

Her gravelly words echoed in his mind:

“Just say the word, and I’ll call her back tonight and tell her we changed our minds.”

Cade gasped. Why hadn’t he read between the lines? He’d been so caught up in his own emotions, so worried she was going to hurt him, that he hadn’t realized what she’d been trying to say to him.

Everleigh hadwantedto stay.

“Oh no.” He covered his face with his hands and groaned. “How could I have been so stupid?”

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