Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
“ W hat in the hell are you doing here?” Palmer growled as he took his mother’s arm so that she wouldn’t run. As he’d walked out, he’d shot a text message to his brother. No doubt Parker or the police were on their way here already.
She hadn’t changed. Not a bit. Her hair was still wiry, and she was as pale and frail looking as ever, like someone who had spent too many years drinking or addicted to drugs.
“Is it a crime to want to see my son?” she said in a raspy voice, one he had never been comfortable with.
“Sons,” he corrected with a hiss. “You had two of us, remember? And yes, it is, because this morning Parker and I filed for, and were awarded, restraining orders against you and Jack.” He felt no connection with her or his father and had almost always thought of them by their names, never as Mom and Dad. “The pair of you aren’t allowed to step foot in Pride either.”
She waved her hand as if dismissing his words. “Our lawyer will fix all that. Along with giving us back all the money your brother stole from us.”
“What money?” He balked. “You mean the inheritance from your mother?”
“Of course.” She laughed. “My mother. That woman and her husband owed me. After all the years of?—”
“Just stop.” H grew tired of listening to her. He knew all the lies she’d spread about her family. The things her father supposedly did to her. And he knew the way she’d treated her own mother, stealing from her whenever she came to visit Parker when he’d been a child. She’d even allowed her husband to beat her elderly mother up and forced her to sign an invalid will, one that stated she would be the sole beneficiary of the estate.
For most of Palmer’s life, his grandmother hadn’t known about him. But once she did, she’d made a point to include his name in her will.
“I’ll give you this one warning. But if I see you again in town, you won’t be so?—”
He stopped as a patrol car parked a few feet from him. When he glanced towards the restaurant, he cursed under his breath as he spotted his father through the window, talking to Sophia.
“Son of a…” he said as he left his mother on the curb and rushed towards the doors. He’d kill the man if he laid a finger on Sophia.
His father was laughing and sitting down at the bar like he was just catching up with old friends. Lucas realized that he was holding Sophia’s phone, the picture of her new nephew still on the screen.
He heard his father say, “Bartender, give me a beer. She’s paying,” as he motioned towards Sophia.
Then Palmer’s fists were gripping his father’s shirt and yanking the man backwards out of his barstool. He hit the floor with a thud just as Nick rushed over and threw his body between the pair of them.
“Jack Clark, you’re under arrest for breaking your restraining order,” Nick said loudly as he glanced back at Palmer.
“Me? Under arrest?” Jack spat out as he was being hauled up from the floor. “I want that boy arrested for assault.”
“I didn’t witness any assault,” Nick said, slapping the cuffs on Jack.
“This is not yours,” Palmer said, bending down and grabbing Sophia’s phone from where it had dropped.
Jack laughed. “You bastard. You’ll pay. Sooner or later, you and your brother will cough up what we’re owed.”
Every bit of noise in the restaurant had stopped when Palmer had yanked Jack off the stool. Since finding out about his parents’ release, everyone in town had been on high alert, keeping an eye out for them. No doubt the station had gotten half a dozen calls about the pair before he’d even shot the text off to his brother.
All eyes in the place watched as Nick hauled Jack outside, where Aiden was still talking to Joanne.
“Are you okay?” Palmer asked Sophia, turning around and wrapping his arms around her tightly. “I didn’t think… I didn’t think he’d be here too. I should have stayed with you.”
“I’m fine,” she said, holding onto him.
“Thanks for the entertainment,” Lisa said in his direction. “I think this calls for shots.” When they glanced over, she had a row of shots waiting. “On me,” she called out as she continued pouring. “This town is the best!” she shouted as people came over and grabbed a shot glass.
Sophia picked up two glasses and handed one to Palmer. “Agreed.” She downed the drink along with everyone else who surrounded them.
“How about we swing by my place, grab Loki, and then head to your place for the night?” he suggested, holding onto her again.
“Sounds good.” She nodded and grabbed her purse.
When they walked out, the patrol car was gone and his brother was just parking next to his truck.
“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.”
“And you?” he asked.
She tilted her head. “If I can have one with a swing in it.”
“I can do that.” He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. “The deck too. Do you want it covered? You know, to sit out on when it’s raining and snowing?”
“That would be amazing. I don’t know if I have the budget for it, though.” She sighed.
He chuckled. “I know a guy who’s handy and can give you a deal.”
She smiled up at him. “I can promise you tacos and beer while you work.”
“It’s a deal.”
She laughed.
They spent the rest of the evening planning out a list of things she wanted done around the home. Palmer helped her unpack a few new decorations and knickknacks she’d picked up at Classy and Sassy, offering his opinion on where things should go, though she playfully ignored most of his suggestions. He loved that she was feeling good enough to really make the home hers.
Only once, when she was putting out a picture of her, Lucas, their mother, and their grandfather, did he see her eyes tear up. She set it on the fireplace mantel, as if it was the heart of the home.
By the time the sun was setting, the house felt warm and welcoming, a true reflection of Sophia’s spirit. They sat out on her small deck and watched Loki run around the yard playing with a ball while the sun sank lower in the sky.
“This feels like home.” She leaned against his shoulder. “I know it’s early, but…” She looked up at him. “What would you think about moving in here with me? You and Loki.” She laughed when the dog set the ball in her lap.
“I think he’s already made up his mind,” he joked and then pulled her closer and kissed her. “I was trying to figure out a way to get into your bed every night.”
She laughed. “Is that all you want?”
“No, but it’s all I’ve been thinking about for the past hour.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and she laughed some more.