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It was almost amusing that Cole seemed to have no idea what to do with a motherly figure who wanted to fuss over his injury.

It was also kind of…sad.

Maybe I’d thought it was a pain in the ass at times because my parents had always worried about us with so much enthusiasm. But as an adult, I could appreciate the love and care we’d gotten as kids.

Cole and Asher had never had that.

Most likely, they’d always been in survival mode when they were younger.

“What do you think she made for dinner?” he asked grudgingly.

I already knew what she’d made.

I’d just never had a chance to eat it.

I was positive the rest of my family had already gotten fed when they arrived home from Billings.

“Chicken and dumplings with homemade biscuits,” I informed him as I glanced into the bag she’d left behind. “And a large piece of huckleberry pie for dessert. She probably took the ice cream with her so she could put it in the freezer.”

His face lit up a little. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had huckleberry pie.”

I clamped him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re going to get something good out of letting her stay. She’ll fuss over you, but you’ll get used to it.”

“I doubt that,” Cole grumbled.

“Just let her do it,” I requested. “She’s been worried about you and Asher for years.”

“Just this once,” he relented reluctantly. “And I’m only doing it because I’m starving.”

“You’re a good man,” I told him as my mother breezed back into the room.

“Most people think I’m a murderer,” he said bitterly in a voice only loud enough for me to hear.

“We don’t. We never did,” I said, keeping my tone quiet, too.”

“Go home, Devon,” my mother insisted. “I left your food at your house, and Reese needs you.”

The nurse came into the room to administer Cole’s medication, and I heard Cole mutter softly, “You’re going to owe me for this one, too.”

I shot him a look that told him I had no problem with that.

I already owed my cousin everything for what he’d done for Reese.

“We’ll pick you up tomorrow,” I told him as I headed for the door. “We’ll fly in the helicopter so it will be a smoother ride.”

I ducked out of the room before Cole could argue, knowing my mother had the situation under control.

As soon as I left the hospital, every thought I had turned to Reese.

Even though she was surrounded by my family right now, I knew she needed me after what she’d been through.

I tried not to think about the fact that there would be a day sometime soon when she probably wouldn’t need me anymore.

She’d be getting her old life back, and she’d finally be able to live without the fear of Kline trying to find her anymore.

I immediately shoved that thought out of my head.

She still needed meright now, and my gut wrenched at the thought of not being there for her.