Page 58 of Love Like Ours

“How did they know where I live?” Sophia asked, feeling frustrated and angry.

“Our guess is they’ve been in town since they were released. They’ve probably followed you around without you noticing. Your father⁠—”

“Jack, call him Jack,” Palmer broke in again.

Aiden nodded. “Jack wouldn’t own up to attacking you at Max’s place the other day. He claimed they were in Edgeview at their hotel room the entire day.”

“Do you buy it?” Palmer asked.

“Not for a minute.” Aiden sighed.

Just then Nick stepped through the back door. “It’s all clear.” He shook his head. “Need some help cleaning this mess up?”

“I’ll clean.” Sophia started to get up.

“No, you stay with Loki. We’ve got this,” Palmer said, touching her shoulder.

She held Loki, who had fallen fast asleep, while the three men cleaned up the glass and put a huge plywood board over the hole that used to be her back door.

After Aiden and Nick left, Palmer walked around and ensured everything was secure before carrying Loki back into the bedroom and lying the dog on his bed. The dog groaned a little, rolled over, and then went back to sleep.

Something had shifted inside her, something she couldn’t explain. She was angry that Palmer would have taken such a risk. He should have stayed and waited for the police. Then again, she’d been worried about Loki too and had wanted to run after him.

“Hey,” Palmer said, sitting beside her on the bed and taking her hand in his. “You look upset.”

“I am.” She avoided his gaze.

“Because I brought this mess on you?”

She frowned and jerked her gaze towards him. “No. Your stupid parents have nothing to do with my anger. Well, maybe a little, but no. For one second, did you stop and think about me? What am I supposed to do if something happens to you?”

His expression softened and he reached up, gently cupping her face. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

Her eyes stung with unshed tears, but she blinked them away and focused on trying to convince him how stupid he had been.

“You’re impossible,” she said, her voice shaking a little.

“How so?”

“If it had been me running out in the darkness after someone who had just broken our door, you’d be pissed too.”

He nodded. “Damn right I would. I would have never let you go.” He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers.

“See, see what I mean?” She pushed lightly on his shoulder. “You’re an idiot.”

He smiled. “You’re right. I need someone like you around to tell me when I do stupid things. So, I guess it’s a good thing I’ll be moving in here tomorrow.” He smiled. “And also, because I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Her heart skipped and then her eyes filled with tears. “You think?”

He chuckled. “I know I have.”

She frowned slightly. “You are an idiot for running out into the darkness.”

He laughed and kissed her again. “But I’m your idiot.”

“I love you too.” She kissed him. It was impossible to stay angry with a man who made her feel so much.

The next morning, while she cooked breakfast, Parker delivered them a new glass door. They hauled it from his truck to the back deck and proceeded to destroy her doorway even more getting the old frame out of the wall.