Three weeks later….

Sara stood leaning against Parker as her uncle cut the ribbon on the newly remodeled Golden Oar. The building’s transformation was nothing short of a miracle.

Gone was the old shingled siding. It had been replaced with strong wood that gleamed in the daylight. The metal roof had been powerwashed until it gleamed. The only thing that remained outside was her great-grandfather’s handmade sign, which had been fitted with a new light to make it glow at night.

“Do you think he’ll like his birthday present?” Parker asked, wrapping his arms around her.

Iian and Allison had returned from their trip early, after hearing what had happened to them. Her uncle had promised her that once she was back on both feet, she’d have the new manager job full time, allowing him to finally cut his hours back to part-time.

Palmer was standing next to her uncle, helping him cut the ribbon. Sara and Parker had been surprised when the kid had wanted to work side by side with his big brother. If it wasn’t for the extra help, Parker swears it would have taken them an extra week to get the place done.

It had taken some doing, but Palmer was enrolled in classes in Pride for the fall. So far, the boy had fit into the town as easily as his brother had. It was fun living with the pair of them, and they were all getting to know each other. It just sucked that she was slowed down by her leg and the boot she had to wear everywhere.

Right now, her crutches were leaning against her new Jeep, and she was solely depending on Parker to keep her upright.

Palmer had helped them pick out her new Jeep. He enjoyed riding in it so much, he talked about getting his own Jeep someday.

The kid was great with helping out around the house and with Toby. The boy and dog had quickly become inseparable. Toby even took to sleeping in Palmer’s room each night. Sara was pretty sure it was because he was afraid of her boot. Toby growled at it when she took it off to shower.

“I know he’s going to love it.” She touched Parker’s hand. “Your grandmother would be proud of you.”

Sadness flooded Parker’s eyes. His grandmother had died the night after their accident. Parker and Palmer had gone to visit her and by the next morning, they had received a call from the nursing home that she had passed peacefully in her sleep.

Parker waved the kid over to them as everyone else started filing in to see the inside of the restaurant.

“Hey,” Palmer said after jogging across the parking lot. “Aren’t you going to go in?”

“Later,” Parker said, smiling at his brother. “We have something for you, an early birthday present.” Parker made sure to hold her up as he leaned into the Jeep’s window and pulled out the envelope.

“What’s this?” Palmer asked, looking down at it.

“You won’t know unless you open it,” Parker joked.

Palmer ripped it open quickly and started reading the document. “What is this?” Palmer shook his head.

“Well, it’s the legal paperwork saying that I know own your butt.” Parker reached over and ruffled his brother’s hair. “And that I’ve set up a trust fund in your name.”

“But…” Palmer frowned at him.

“Once you turn eighteen, you have access to your share. Our grandparents’ money was split in two equal parts.”

Sara grabbed her crutches from the Jeep with tears in her eyes as Palmer threw himself into his brother’s arms.

“Thank you,” Palmer said into Parker’s chest.

“Don’t thank me. Our grandmother would have wanted—” Parker started.

“Not for the money, stupid,” Palmer interrupted. “For keeping me, for giving me a home for the first time in my life.” The kid turned towards her and hugged her gently. “For both of you. A newly engaged couple taking on a teenager is just plan crazy.” Palmer wiped the tears from his eyes and glanced around to make sure no one had noticed them. “You didn’t have to, but—”

“Course we did,” Sara broke in. “You’re family.” She hugged the kid back, then laughed when Parker had to catch her from toppling over.

“I don’t know what to say.” Palmer took a couple deep breaths.

“Don’t say anything.” Parker smiled. “Let’s go in and enjoy our hard work. Besides, I heard Sara say that she was going to buy us a shake.”

As they helped Sara into the restaurant, she couldn’t stop thinking about thankful she was for her new family and for the future that awaited them. Together.