Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
P almer shifted in bed for the tenth time. His arm was asleep and his head was aching, even though he’d taken the damned pills they’d given him at the hospital.
But most of all, his mind wouldn’t shut down thanks to the news that his parents had been released from prison.
Just the thought of the couple who had caused Parker and Avery so much pain being free pissed him off. He’d had his own dealings with them growing up, but for the most part, they’d left him alone.
“I should have warned you that my bed was small,” Sophia said in the darkness.
“Small is an understatement.” He groaned but held her tighter. “The real problem is, I’m pathetic and miss my stupid dog.” He sighed after a moment. “Do you think he’s okay?”
She yawned and answered, “Max says he is loving the sleepover and has explored every inch of the place so far.”
“Right.” He shifted again.
“We could…” She started but stilled.
“What?”
She rolled over towards him. He could feel his ass hanging off the side of her mattress.
“There is a queen-sized bed in my mother’s room,” she said suddenly.
He stilled and listened to her breathing for a moment. “I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with,” he said softly before leaning down and brushing a kiss softly against her forehead.
“I’d be more comfortable in a larger bed with you. Come on.” She rolled out of the bed before he could argue with her. “Bring the pillows.” She grabbed a bright purple throw blanket that had been covering them. “We stripped the bed a while back. I haven’t had a chance to purchase a comforter that fits it yet,” she said when they stepped into her mother’s room.
The bed had sheets on it but no comforter. The room was bare, emptier than any other part of the house.
“Avery and Lucas cleaned this room out a while back.” She placed the blanket on the bed. It covered the bed fine but didn’t go over the edges.
He set both pillows down. Before she could sit down, he asked, “How about a glass of water?”
She nodded and he followed her back into the kitchen. After his scans at the hospital had come back clean and the doctor had told him that he only had a slight concussion, Parker had driven them back to her place for the night. Max had driven her car to her place and had walked back to his place with Loki.
The doctors had given instructions to watch for dizziness and vomiting along with any more memory loss. He was to see his doctor, Dr. Stevens, first thing in the morning or if any of the previous happened.
So far, all that he was suffering from was a headache and starvation. He’d been too dizzy to be hungry earlier, but now his stomach was growling.
“Got anything to eat?” he asked as he sat down at the island while she got him some water.
“Not much.” She walked over to the fridge. “Some leftover oven pizza. Sandwich meat, cheese, milk and cereal. Some ice cream.”
“What kind of cereal?” he asked.
She walked over to the pantry and called out a few of his favorites. “Count Chocula.” He chuckled. “I haven’t had that in years.”
She set the box in front of him with a smile. “I’ll get us a couple bowls.”
They sat in her kitchen, eating kids cereal and talking about the plans for the lighthouse for some reason. He wanted to talk about her. About her dreams and more of her favorite things.
He had a hint that her favorite color was purple, since most of the things in her room were a shade of that color.
“Why white carnations?” he asked when the conversation dipped.
She tilted her head, then shrugged. “They can be dyed any color, turning something ordinary into something extraordinary. The possibilities are endless.” She smiled.
He’d never thought about it before. “So you like getting something basic and turning it into something unique.” He nodded. “Sounds like you.”
She laughed. “The old me.” She sighed and glanced around the house. “I have yet to apply that to my new life.”
“I could help you with that,” he suggested.
She turned back to him. “I’ll take you up on that offer.” She sighed. “If it gets you sticking around here a little more.”
He moved closer to her and kissed her. “It’s not the only reason I offered to help, but it is a bonus.”
Once they were done eating, they headed back to bed.
“Lucas thinks that I need to stop thinking of this as Mom’s room, but it will always be my mother’s room, even though she only lived here for a short time. She lived in our house in Edgeview for more than twenty years,” she pointed out. “She was here for just under six years.”
“I had to sleep in a closet for the first six years of my life,” he pointed out as he sat on the bed. “Then I had to share a bedroom with my cousins until I was sent to the home. Then I had to share a room with almost a dozen boys whose ages ranged from one to seventeen.”
“That must have been hard.” She sat beside him.
“Actually, it wasn’t as bad as you’d think. I did get picked on at first, but after I beat up the toughest kid there, everyone else left me alone.” He shrugged and took her hand in his. Her fingers were small, thin, delicate, and smooth. She had bright blue nail polish on her fingernails and a matching color on her toes. It suited her.
“I guess I shouldn’t feel bad about letting the rest of my mother’s things go. I’ll keep a handful of items. Some things went to Lucas. Other things…” She stopped and shook her head. “They just aren’t my style.” She smiled. “Like that.” She pointed to the dresser sitting across the space.
It was very old and very worn. It had obviously seen better days.
“I’d bet Lilly at Classy and Sassy would love to refurbish it,” he suggested.
“That’s a great idea. Maybe I can find something else down there to replace each piece with?” She perked up a little.
“See, I’m helping you already.” He pulled her close.
Her eyes moved to the bandage over his bump. “How’s the head?”
“I’m only seeing one of you now, but I’ve decided it’s not necessarily a good thing,” he teased, and then kissed her.
“Palmer.” She placed her hand against his chest. “I’m struggling with sleeping in my mother’s bed. There is no way I’m going to want to finish that kiss here.” She glanced around. “It’s too soon.”
He nodded. “I doubt I’d be up to the task anyway. My head is pounding.” He sighed. “I miss my dog.”
She chuckled. “We’ll go get him after you see Dr. Stevens in the morning.”
He nodded and then pulled her down to the bed and covered them with her purple blanket. “Is purple your favorite color?”
“Purple, green, orange, blue, red.” She sighed. “I could never settle on one color.”
“Is that why you were always changing your hair highlights?”
She chuckled. “Yup. What’s your favorite color?” she whispered.
“You,” he answered and then drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, true to her word, they headed to the lighthouse to get Loki just as soon after Dr. Stevens had given him the all clear and removed the bandage that covered the golf-ball-sized knot on the side of his head just above his left ear.
They were both surprised to see his truck still sitting in the ditch. It pained him to see the damage, but he knew he would have it fixed in no time. He’d have to make a call to his insurance company and have it towed into the shop once he got home.
Max and Loki were waiting for them just outside of the barn. Max had the sleeves to his jacket rolled up, and he would wager the man was still moving furniture out of the main building into the barn so he and his crew could start on the first phase.
When he stepped out of the car, Loki bound towards him, happily circling and yapping.
He bent down and hugged him as the dog licked his face.
“I’m happy to see you too, buddy.” He laughed and fell backwards into the dirt as the dog continued his assault on him.
“He’s been an invaluable helper,” Max joked as he approached. “He’s chased all the mice out of my barn while I finished moving the last of the furniture.”
“Glad he could help you out,” Palmer said, standing up and dusting himself off after Loki found a stick to chew a few feet away. Then he shook Max’s hand. “Thanks for looking after him.”
“Sure thing.” Max nodded. “How’s the head?”
He reached up and gently touched the area. “I have decided to grow a new head out of the side of this one,” he joked. “I’ll have my insurance haul my truck from your drive today.”
Max nodded. “No rush. Are you sure you’re up to much?”
“I’m good. I just got the all clear from Dr. Stevens.” He smiled. “And Sophia has been taking very good care of me.”
“Good to hear it.” Max glanced at Sophia and for a split second, and Palmer wondered if the man still had feelings for her. There was no doubt in his mind where Sophia’s feelings were. Not after the kisses and the night they’d shared. “Well, I’d better get back to work. I’m excited that your guys are going to start demo Monday,” Max said to him.
He smiled. “Now that we’ve finished hashing out all the major details, we’re ready to go.”
“Where will you start with all this?” Sophia asked, motioning to the lighthouse.
“We always start with the bones. Foundation, structural security, electric, and plumbing. The basics. Since Max is going to be living here during it all, we’ll start in the rooms he’ll live in first. He’ll have to temporarily shift to other rooms until we’re done with his spaces.”
“You’re still going to stay here through it all?” Sophia asked Max. “You’re sure?”
Max nodded. “I’ll be lending a hand where I can.” He shrugged. “Besides, I’m thinking of filming a lot of it. Palmer and his brother agreed to the project ahead of time.”
“Oh?” Sophia turned to him. “Going to become a star?”
He laughed. “Not if I can help it.”
“I could use your help, Sophia, if you’re up to it?” Max asked.
Her eyebrows shot up. “I…” She looked between them.
“No pressure,” Max added with a slight frown. “I know how busy you must be with your sister-in-law almost ready to give birth.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said finally.
Max nodded. “If you ever need a dog sitter again, you know where I’ll be.” Max bent down and pet Loki. “I didn’t think I’d enjoy a dog so much. My mom and sisters are cat people,” he said with a chuckle.
“They have plenty of dogs needing adoption over at Carrie’s Sanctuary,” Palmer suggested. “I got Loki there.”
“I may look into it once we get closer to finishing this project.” He stood and waved his hand towards the lighthouse. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He shook his hand. “See you on Monday.”
After leaving there with Loki, they took the dog on a short walk on the beach. Short because Palmer was unexpectedly winded and a little light-headed.
“I really need to call my insurance company.” He yawned.
“How about after you rest?” Sophia suggested, nudging him onto his sofa.
“Only if you join me. Join us,” he corrected after Loki jumped up on the sofa and snuggled with him.
She sat down next to him, lifting her feet along with his onto the large ottoman, and then pulled a throw blanket over them.
He was tired, and the moment he settled back, he was out. When he woke, the sun had shifted in the sky towards early evening and both the dog and Sophia were missing.
He stood up and heard happy barking and guessed Sophia had taken Loki out for a bathroom break. When the pair stepped inside, he realized he’d been wrong. They had obviously walked to the grocery store since Sophia was carrying bags of food.
“Oh, you’re awake,” she said happily as she set the bags down. She hung her coat on the hook and placed her shoes by his in the entryway. “We decided to get some fresh things and pre-made meals for dinner.” She started to unload the food. “You still have time. Why don’t you try to contact your insurance company?” she suggested, glancing over her shoulder.
He wiped his hands over his eyes and grabbed his phone. “Thankfully, they have a twenty-four-hour call center.” He punched their contact on his phone.
While he relayed his information, Sophia worked behind him in the kitchen quietly. By the time he got off the phone, his house smelled better than it ever had when he’d cooked.
He walked over just as she was plating two servings of grilled salmon with rice and large slices of honey-soaked carrots.
“This looks and smells amazing,” he said as she poured them each a glass of iced tea.
“I live off the pre-made meals at the store. All you have to do is heat them up. Sounds like your insurance call worked out.”
He nodded and sat down next to her. “They’ll tow the truck in the morning and haul it to a shop in Edgeview. They’ll have a rental delivered to me by nine. It won’t be a truck, but at least I won’t have to walk everywhere.”
The first bite he took melted in his mouth and he let out a low groan.
Sophia chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” She grinned and took her own bite.