Had she forgotten, or had she really not noticed the differences at thirteen? She’d grown up in a suburb where no one opened their doors early, even for a good cause. Her memories were too fuzzy to pinpoint the answer. “You live here all your life?”
“Born and raised.”
Alaska had always held this magical quality in Cadence’s imagination. She had planned to move back the minute she graduated high school. But life had other plans. Soon, Sunset Ridge became a forgotten dream, one that was slowly wakening after a long hibernation. “You must love it here.”
“I do. It’s a great place to live. Friendly people, view of the mountains and the bay every day. Not to mention, the fishing is unbeatable. We even have our own famous moose.” He flashed her a genuine smile—a smile filled with pride. She envied Ford a little. He lived somewhere with roots. Somewhere special.
She almost asked him about his parents, but caught herself before the words tripped off her tongue. He mentioned it had only been him and Rilee for a while now. So either his parents had left the two of them in Sunset Ridge and moved away—with Rilee still in school—or they had passed. “Tell me more about this Fireweed Festival.”
“Oh, it’s a lot of fun. Carnival rides, fried foods, a street dance, you name it.” He pulled into an open spot outside Davies Hardware and Electrical Supply and cut the ignition. “But they all are. Don’t you remember?”
“I must have missed that one. I remember a parade or two.” Cadence followed Ford to the shop’s door, where he knocked on the glass and peered in.
“This town has a festival practically every month in the summer. It’s almost a running joke, really. But they keep doing them because everyone loves them.” He stepped back from the glass, apparently having spotted the aforementioned Harold. “They bring in a lot of tourist revenue, too. That’s why it’s a shame the lodge isn’t open. Patty once told me there’s never been a vacancy during a festival weekend since the day she opened the doors.”
But this year there will be. It seemed such a shame. But what could any of them do about that? The decision had already been made, and with Sophie’s family likely in need of her split of the proceeds, Cadence couldn’t press the issue of carrying on the tradition.
“Morning, Ford.” The older gentleman nodded at Cadence, a kind twinkle dancing in his eyes. “Who d’ya got here?”
“Cadence Whitmore,” Ford said, “meet Harold Davies.”
“Whitmore?” Harold repeated, his eyes squinting like he was trying to get her to come into focus before him. “One of Patty’s nieces?”
Cadence accepted the hand he extended and held on. “Yes, sir.”
“You here to open up the lodge?” Harold asked, his expression filling with a mixture of hope and gratitude. Like she could be some sort of savior. It never occurred to Cadence that the lodge might mean something special to the people in this town.
The words tangled on her tongue, but before she was forced to answer, Ford jumped in. “No, Harold, she’s here to sell it.”
The creases around his eyes softened as the hope dimmed. “Oh, well, that’s a shame now.”
“I need to grab a couple of breakers,” Ford said.
Harold held the door open, but before Cadence could step through, her phone buzzed. “I’ll be out here.” She waved the phone in explanation. Though it was only a few texts, she didn’t feel welcome inside those doors. She felt like a traitor who was here to disappoint the citizens of Sunset Ridge.
Tessa:Can we move the call back a couple hours?
Sophie:When?
She scanned the thread, looking for the new proposed time. In true Tessa fashion, there was no explanation as towhythe time had changed. When Cadence thought her boss kept her busy, she remembered her sister working nightmarish hours in the kitchens of top New York restaurants. The only difference—Tessa lived for it.
Cadence was starting to feel entirely different about her real estate career now that she had a little distance from it. Well, as much as she could manage outside the influx of emails she’d spent her evening answering. Getting this listing live on the MLS. Fixing the details on that virtual tour because Janine hadn’t created one of those in ages and uploaded the wrong specs. Sending reminders to clients to turn in their disclosures and drop off their keys. Explaining to that seller that they needed to leave their house for showings so the buyers were more comfortable.
All things Janine could handle in her absence, but didn’t want to.It’ll all be worth it.
Tessa:I have a small window at 5 my time.
Tessa:Make it work.
“One o’clock here,” Cadence mumbled, relieved for the extra three hours before facing her sisters. The list price she’d managed to come up with would no doubt make them happy, especially since there was no mortgage on the lodge. But something about all this didn’t feel right.
Ford pushed open the door and held it with his boot while still talking to Harold.
Again, she caught herself staring. Wondering how it was possible that a man as handy, as kind, and as attractive as Ford Harris could be single. Even in a town this small, women should be lined up around the block for him.
He gave her a wink. “Ready to get some flowers?”
She nodded, quickly turning away and letting her hair curtain her blazing cheeks at being caught staring.
