Page 54 of Love Like Ours

“Are you both okay?” Parker said, rushing over and wrapping his arms around both of them.

“Yeah.” He smiled. “Aiden and Nick took care of the folks this time.”

“Son of a…” Parker sighed. “Why in the hell can’t they leave us alone?”

“I…” Sophia started. “Jack hinted that they were the ones who attacked you the other day. He said that, since they didn’t kill you, the least they could do was ruin your truck. He claimed that he was the one that drove it into the tree. He seemed to think it was all some sort of… joke” She shook her head.

“What?” he and Parker said at the same time.

“I… I guess I was in shock just a little. I should have told Nick.” Sophia glanced around nervously, her hands fidgeting at her sides.

Palmer stepped closer, his voice steady and calm. “It’s okay. We’ll call and let Nick know everything when we get home.”

Parker frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “If Jack’s telling the truth, and they’re the ones behind all this, Aiden and Nick will press assault charges as well as charges for breaking their restraining orders.”

Sophia nodded but still looked uneasy. Palmer reached out, gently squeezing her arm. “They are in custody and we’re safe for now. That’s what matters.”

She gave him a small, grateful smile. “Yeah, you’re right. What about Sara and the kids?”

“We’re going to be staying at her folks’ place for a while. They’re heading out of town for a week.” He shifted slightly. “I’ll check in with Nick and Aiden and let them know what Jack told you. Plus, I’ll see what’s next. When they expect them to be released and how they can assure they will leave town and stay out for good.”

“Good,” Palmer said, glancing at Sophia. “I think we’re going to head back to her place for tonight.”

Parker’s brow lifted slightly, but he said nothing, just gave Palmer a knowing nod. “Good. Take it easy, both of you.”

As Parker headed back to his truck, Palmer guided Sophia to his rental car, opening the passenger door for her. “Let’s go get Loki,” he said softly, and she nodded, climbing in.

After getting his dog and a small overnight bag stuffed with dog food, bowls, treats, and some clothes for himself, they headed out to her place.

When they arrived, Palmer immediately noticed the subtle changes she’d made over the past few months. The front yard, which had once been full of her mother’s lawn ornaments, looked cleaner and more inviting. Maybe it was partly due to the fact that the grass was a vibrate green now instead of the winter coverage?

Still, it was obvious that Sophia had been making progress, even if she didn’t talk about it much.

Inside, the transformation was even more striking. Gone were the dusty knickknacks and the faded family photos that had once dominated the walls. The furniture had been rearranged, giving the space a more open and relaxed feel. Several of the old furniture pieces were gone, replaced by more modern pieces.

“I didn’t notice the last time I was here, but you’ve been busy.” He touched the new white farm-style coffee table.

“I had Lilly from Classy and Sassy over the other day. She took some older pieces and I picked out a few new things. I still have a lot to do, but it’s a start. I even had Max bring over a desk from his place. He was going to throw it in that dusty barn and probably burn it. I’m thinking of fixing it up myself.”

Palmer’s eyes were then drawn to the almost blank walls, which now held just a few carefully chosen pieces: three large black-and-white photo prints.

He stepped closer to examine them, impressed by the angles and the artistry of the pictures. The first was a stunning shot of the lighthouse, its silhouette stark and beautiful against the cloudy sky. The second was a wide view of the beach during a storm, the massive waves frozen mid-crash, their frothy edges shimmering like silver. And the third was taken from high above the hills, looking down on the town of Pride nestled below. The streets, rooftops, and harbor, all covered with snow, seemed almost timeless in the monochrome palette.

“These are incredible,” Palmer said, his voice filled with admiration. “Where did you find them?”

Sophia hesitated for a moment before speaking, her tone soft. “I took them.”

He turned to her, eyebrows raised. “You took these?”

She nodded, obviously slightly embarrassed, as a faint blush colored her cheeks. “Photography, not just filmmaking, was always a hobby of mine. I stopped for a while after moving here, but recently... I don’t know. It felt right to start again.”

Palmer smiled, stepping closer to her. “These aren’t just photos. They’re art. You’ve got an amazing eye.”

She gave a small laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. It’s been nice, focusing on something I love again. And it helped make the house feel more like mine.”

“It’s definitely starting to feel like yours now,” he said, glancing around. “You’ve done a great job.”

“Thanks. It’s been a process, but it’s starting to feel like a happy home again. I have more plans.” She motioned towards the back door. “I want to extend the deck. My mother wanted a gazebo out where the fire pit is.”