Page 61 of Love Like Ours

“No.” She shook her head, her hair flying everywhere. “This time it’s real.”

“Good for you then.” He watched her. “Have a nice life.” He moved to get into the car.

“I… need help. I… I’m not sure where to go.”

“You’re not getting a dime from me,” he answered quickly. “Or from Parker and his family.”

“I don’t want money. I never did. Jack was the one…” She shook her head. “I just want to see my grandkids. I want to make sure they’re okay. I’m tired. I want to have a normal life. You can talk to your brother for me, set everything up.”

“Right.” He laughed. “Why should I? There is no way I’d let you get within a hundred yards of those kids. After all, you were such a great mother. Just leave them alone.” He climbed in his car. “If I were you, I’d leave before the police get here.”

She glanced over her shoulder, and he could hear the sirens getting closer.

“You were always such a little terror. Both of you,” she hissed. She turned to go but stopped. “It’s true, though, your father is gone.” The way she said it made him believe it was true. At least for a second or two.

“Like I said, good for you,” he replied dryly.

He watched her walk over to a dark sedan and climb in and drive away. Moments later, Nick showed up.

“She left,” Palmer said and then quickly filled him in on what his mother had said and the car she was driving.

When he pulled into the garage, Sophia was waiting for him.

“Your brother called,” she started, but she stopped when she saw the flowers. “Oh, look at how beautiful.” She buried her face in them and then hugged him. “Thank you. Are these to make up for not calling me and telling me you had a run-in with your mother just now?”

He shook his head. “No, these are just because I should have gotten you flowers sooner.” He kissed her, then went back and grabbed their food. “Let’s eat outside,” he suggested. “I’ll fill you in.”

“Was it that bad?” she asked with a frown as he followed her through the house with Loki doing his “happy you’re home, Dad” dance between his legs.

“No, just…” He shrugged. “Same old tricks. She claims she’s left him.”

“That’s…” She set down the vase of flowers. “Good?”

“It’s a ruse. She told Parker that years ago, and then they attacked him and Sara.”

“You don’t think.” She glanced towards the door.

“No, I don’t think they’re going to attack us. Parker and Sara are back home tonight. They’re on high alert. Aiden and Nick and the rest of the police are going to drive by here and their place every hour for the next few nights just to be sure.” He set their food down and then hugged her tightly. “God, you smell so good,” he whispered. “You smell like home.”

She chuckled. “You smell like dirt and the ocean.”

“I’m sorry.” He started to pull away. “I’ll shower.”

“No. I like it. It’s…” She inhaled again. “Sexy.” She kissed him again and, suddenly, his hunger changed.

When he started walking her back towards the bedroom, she laughed and stopped him.

“Not that sexy.” She laughed as she held her hand against his chest. “Food first, shower, then…” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ll thank you properly for the flowers.”

“Hot damn, I’m bringing home flowers every night from now on.”

She laughed as she grabbed their food and took it out on the deck.

He tried to steer the conversation towards lighthearted topics but knew that she wanted more details about his run-in with his mother. They were just about to head inside when his phone rang.

“Hey,” he answered Parker’s call.

“Hey.” The tone of his brother’s voice had him sitting up.