Cadence opened her mouth and closed it at least three times before she was able to find words. “Come again?”
“I tried out for this new reality cooking show, and guys, I got in!” Her video option flickered until her cheerful face filled the screen. Tessa was . . . smiling. Truly smiling. “I’m one of fifteen chefs competing. And when I win, I’ll get to run my own restaurant . . . in Vegas!”
“Vegas?” Sophie repeated.
“Isn’t it wonderful? I’m tired of being a sous chef. I’m ready to run my own kitchen. This is my chance to show America what I’ve got.”
Cadence was a little mixed up about the turn of events, but maybe her sister would forget all about the list price and go on about her show. Buy Cadence more time. But then she heard another yawn from Sophie.
“That’s amazing, Tessa. We’re happy for you,” Sophie said.
“Thank you! I can’t believe I made the cut.”
“Congrats,” Cadence said. “I know you’ll do great.”
“I have to leave Sunday, and I have so much to do. Once I’m there, we can’t use phones or Internet. No contact with the outside world that might help us cheat. I guess it’s one of the first reality shows to air as it’s filming, too, or so some producer told me.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Five weeks if I make it to the end. Which I totally plan to do.” Tessa looked over her shoulder, her dark hair swishing with her. She smiled at someone off camera. “The best part? Derek got on, too!”
“Your boyfriend?” Sophie asked.
“Yes!” Tessa’s focus returned to the screen. “Okay, where are we at with that list price? I’m almost out of time.”
Cadence’s gaze briefly dropped to the appraisal sitting beside her on the bed. “I’m meeting a local real estate agent tomorrow, to verify I’m on the right track.” Well, she was going to stop by the only office in town and hope for the best. But details.
“But you have a ballpark, right?” Tessa asked.
“Yes.” Cadence bit down on the inside of her lip, wishing she knew how to ask them to reconsider. But Tessa wouldn’t even be available half the summer, and Sophie might need the money. Plus, Cadence would have to quit her job and move to Alaska to make this work. So many impossible hurdles. “Seven hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Dollars?” Tessa repeated.
“Yeah. There’s a lot of acreage, a couple extra cabins, and it can accommodate twenty guests. The location—”
“Great, great. Get it on the market.” There was the old Tessa they all knew and loved.
“I still need to get photos taken.”
“What are we waiting on? You have to fly back tomorrow night.”
Cadence felt a pang of sadness clutch her chest.Tomorrow night. She was supposed to leave Sunset Ridge—forever—tomorrow before dinner to catch her flight leaving out of Anchorage. It was too soon. Ford was right, there was so much more they could accomplish if she stayed.
“Actually, I’m extending my stay.” She didn’t know what she’d say to Janine, but her boss couldn’t exactly hunt her down in Alaska and drag her back. She could offer to work remotely, but all Cadence wanted was a few of the vacation days she’d earned before she said good-bye to Sunset Ridge. “I’m staying through Sunday so we have more time to spruce things up a bit.”
“Who’s we?” Sophie asked.
“Ford. Aunt Patty hired him as the caretaker, and he’s been helping out. We planted flowers today. Brightened up the landscaping around the deck a bit.”
“Whatever you want to do.” Tessa glanced down at her watch. “Just get it listed before you leave, okay? If there’s paperwork to sign, you have to get it to me before you fly out. I leave Sunday, too.” Her camera went black. Typical Tessa, didn’t even say good-bye.
“Tell me more about Ford,” Sophie said, a perk to her voice that hadn’t been there before. “Is he single? Do you like him?”
“How do you know Ford isn’t an old man with ten grandchildren?”
“I didn’t. But I do now.”
“I’ll talk to you later, Soph.”
