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“Well, that’s good to hear,” my mother’s voice said cheerfully from the doorway. “Because I’m here, and I’m going to make sure that you get well. Go home, Devon. I’ll take over from here. I’ve already talked to the nurse about making that comfortable recliner into my bed for the night.”

I rose from that comfortable recliner and kissed my mother’s cheek.

I smirked at Cole as his brows rose and he said, “That’s not necessary.”

He obviously didn’t know my mother well.

I’d already known that she’d be back as soon as everyone was settled in at home.

“It is necessary,” Mom said as she sat the bag of stuff she’d brought with her on the side table. “You’re my nephew, and family takes care of family around here. I’m also your new neighbor. Neighbors take care of each other, too. You’re not going home with that injury. I’ll be taking care of you until you’re ready to travel.”

Cole sent me an alarmed glance that made me grin back at him.

My mother might have some arthritis, but she was still spunky as hell.

He wasn’t going to win this argument without having my mother bodily thrown out of the hospital.

“You’re not going to win this one, so just give it up,” I told my cousin.

“I brought you dinner,” my mother fussed. “Hospital food isn’t going to be enough for a man your size, Cole.”

He hid it well, but I saw a spark of interest in his eyes for a brief second.

Hell, he was definitely a Remington male who loved food, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

“I’m going to heat up your food and feed you, and then your nurse is going to give you something for pain that will help you sleep.

“Millie,” Cole said in a pained voice. “I’m fine. I’m not dying.”

My mother ignored him as she took some containers from the bag and marched out of the room.

“Is she always like this?” he asked in a strained voice after my mother left the room.

“Always,” I warned him. “She’s going to get her way. Roll with it.”

“I don’t need her here,” he said irritably.

I had to disagree.

My mother and the rest of his family was exactly what Cole needed.

He’d just been alone for so long that he didn’t think he needed anyone, and I doubted that Asher was the only family he needed.

I did have to admit that the two of them had thrived though.

They’d had no family.

No support.

Yet the two of them had been as successful as the rest of the Remington men from our generation.

“She’s not leaving unless you have her thrown out,” I informed him. “She’s stubborn as hell.”

He looked annoyed as he answered, “I can’t do that. Maybe we don’t know each other well, but she is my aunt and she’s trying to help.”

Yep! There’s definitely a decent guy beneath Cole’s rough exterior.

“It’s one night, and you’ll sleep through it,” I reminded him. “Let her fuss over you. She’s an excellent cook. You’ll like the food a lot better than what you’ll get here.”