Page 64 of Love Like Ours

Chapter Nineteen

It took a few days for more details about Parker and Palmer’s aunt’s death to get to them. Aiden was trying to find out more but was limited, since his friend in the Portland Police Department had a few days off.

They’d spent one night at the B&B but were home again. It had been a mini vacation for them, if you didn’t count the fact that Palmer had to wake up early the next morning and head back to work at the lighthouse. She and Loki had slept in at the cabin and then gone for a very long walk on the beach with Megan and Sara before eating an amazing breakfast at the main house with a few other guests.

After dropping Loki off at home, Sophia headed into work, hoping for an uneventful day. But the sight that greeted her as she stepped through the restaurant doors told her it wouldn’t be so.

Her brother was standing behind the bar, cradling his newborn son, like he owned the place—which, technically, he did. Luke’s tiny red tufts of hair were visible from across the room, drawing a mix of amused smiles and coos from the staff and customers alike.

Sophia sighed inwardly as she walked over and took her nephew from his father’s hands without a word.

“What is your daddy doing here?” she asked Luke. “He should be at home with Avery, resting.”

Lucas grinned at her, completely unbothered.

“Luke, tell your aunt that your mother is home. We’re here to give her an hour alone to get some well-needed rest. And that I’m just making sure everything’s running smoothly. Besides, he wanted to see where all the hard work happens.” He motioned to his son with a smile.

“Luke can barely see six inches in front of his face right now,” Sophia countered.

The kid was just too damn cute. His little cheeks turned her insides to mush as she rocked him. As he slept, her eyes ran over his features. He was a perfect mix of her brother and Avery.

“Details,” Lucas said with a shrug, adjusting the baby’s blanket around his son.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, but don’t stay too long. Seriously.”

“I won’t, but I’m sure there are a few things I can handle while you watch your nephew.” He left her to stand behind the bar while he walked back to the kitchen.

For the next few minutes, customers and employees stopped to see Luke and coo over the baby while her brother dealt with a few things in the back.

It wasn’t a hardship, watching Luke. She really had to make a point to go visit with Avery and them more often. She’d wanted to give the new family time to adjust but now that she’d gotten another taste of being around him, she was desperate to see her nephew more.

To her surprise, about an hour later, Lucas actually left—though not before gathering the staff for a quick meeting.

Standing at the center of the kitchen, holding Luke in his arms, Lucas addressed the employees with his usual charm.

“Alright, team, here’s the deal. I’m officially on paternity leave until the end of the month. If the books are higher than last month’s by the time I get back, you’ll all see a nice bonus in your next paycheck.”

The staff perked up immediately, whispers and smiles spreading across the room.

“Remember,” Lucas added, grinning, “upselling isn’t just a suggestion—it’s an art form. More drinks, more sides, more desserts. Make it happen.”

Sophia watched as her coworkers practically buzzed with energy after his announcement. She couldn’t deny it was a smart move. Bonuses were always a great motivator, and Lucas knew how to light a fire under people without making it feel like a demand.

As the day went on, Sophia noticed the change in her coworkers. Servers were more proactive, setting dessert menus on tables, upselling drinks, and offering specials with a bit more enthusiasm. Even the kitchen staff seemed to be running on high gear, whipping out plates with efficiency and pride.

For Sophia, the shift flew by. The restaurant was usually a calm but steady place—far from the chaos of New York eateries. Occasionally, there was a spat between employees over messed up tickets or a disagreement with a customer about an order, but nothing she couldn’t handle. She’d been doing this for years.

She greeted almost every customer who walked through the door with a smile, recognizing most of them immediately. There were the regulars—locals who came in like clockwork for their afternoon beers or Friday fish tacos—and the newer faces: visitors staying at the B&B or the boutique hotel just outside town.

And, of course, there were the transplants—new residents drawn to Pride by its charm or by the Coast Guard school nearby. Pride wasn’t just her home; it was a place that thrived on connection, a small town that welcomed everyone with open arms.

As she wiped down a table near the window, Sophia glanced out at the street. The late afternoon sun was casting long shadows, the light bouncing off the waves of the Pacific visible in the distance over the low rooftops of the buildings across the street. For a brief moment, her mind wandered.

Her time in New York felt like another life—bright lights, endless noise, and the constant hum of ambition. At the time, she’d believed it was everything she wanted. But now, standing here in the heart of her hometown, she knew better.

Pride wasn’t just where she belonged; it was where she thrived. And no matter how short-lived or exciting her time in New York had been, it was nothing compared to the life she’d built here. Her life with Palmer.

She smiled to herself, setting the last clean glass behind the bar. The restaurant was her home just as much as the town was, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.