Page 8 of Love Like Ours

Palmer laughed. “No, the days Ethan, Ellie, and Liam were born were the happiest.”

“That and the day Sara married me,” Parker agreed. “Okay, lots of good days.”

“This one is up there for me.” He sighed and rested his head back, instantly remembering the feeling of his arms wrapped around Sophia.

“Because you passed your exams or because of that little dance you did with Sophia on the street?”

“You saw that?” He groaned.

“Everyone in the restaurant saw that.” Parker chuckled.

Palmer shut his eyes and leaned his head against the window.

“She just lost her mom,” he said as he enjoyed the feel of the cold glass against his heated head.

“Yeah, but sometimes the timing is messed up. Sometimes…” He dropped off, and Palmer glanced over at him.

“What?”

“I proposed to Sara while she was lying in a hospital bed after our dad tried to kill us.” He shrugged. “Timing is what it is when it’s meant to be.”

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t think Sophia feels about me the way Sara feels about you.”

“You might be surprised,” Parker said, stopping behind Palmer’s truck, which sat in front of the little cottage he was calling home.

“Thanks for the ride.” He reached for the door handle.

“Oh.” Parker threw the truck into park and reached towards the back seat. “I meant to give this to you.” He smiled as he handed him a long thin box. “Congratulations on getting your license.”

“Thanks.” Palmer smiled and took the gift.

“See you tomorrow. We start the Owen’s barn renovation.”

“Right.” He nodded and then jumped out and headed through the snow to the front porch as his brother’s truck disappeared.

Needing the cool air to shake him from the drunken stupor, he sat down on the porch swing and opened the gift.

Inside was a framed certificate and a black polo shirt. He looked at the shirt first.

The polo shirt featured white embroidery with the company’s signature double-C logo. Normally, beneath the logo, the words Clark Construction would appear in smaller text. But instead, his name was stitched there, bold and unmistakable.

Palmer Clark, co-owner.

He stared at it for a moment, running his fingers over the lettering as the words sank in, realization dawning on him like a wave. Then he shifted his gaze and read the certificate.

Parker and Palmer Clark. Owners of Clark Construction. There was a seal from the city and the mayor’s signature.

Owner? His brother was officially making him his partner. This is how he told him?

Pulling out his phone, he punched his brother’s number.

“You jackass,” he said when Parker answered.

Parker laughed. “I thought you’d like it.”

“Get back here so I can hug you,” Palmer said.

“No can do. My business partner has decided to slack off today. As it is, I’m late finishing a fireplace. Tomorrow you can hug me.”

“Fine.” He leaned his head back. “Parker?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for being my brother.”

“Thank you. Love you.”

“Love you too,” he said and hung up.