Rafe watched his cousin Chance as he spoke with Jillian early on the seventh day after Lacy had been shot. Her family had finally been able to persuade Jillian to go home for the night. Only by Ari staying in her place had it been accomplished.

It didn’t surprise him that she was back as early as she was. Hell, it was the same reason he was there. That, and he’d brought Travis some real breakfast, other than the hospital cafeteria fare his brother had been living on over the last week.

Chance looked up and caught Rafe looking at him. He jerked his head in that direction.

Rafe chafed at his cousin’s attitude—Chance always had been an ass—but the guy probably wanted something important.

Like him making certain Jillian took care of herself or something. Chance took his wife’s sisters’ care seriously. Almost obsessively so.

No surprise, considering how they’d lost Sara when she’d been so young. Rafe would never forget how wonderful his young female cousin had been, forget how much they had all loved her.

Jillian nodded at him, then darted around him. She disappeared into Lacy’s room, leaving Rafe with Chance.

“Good morning,” Chance said. “You been in to see Lacy yet? Brynna’s asking.”

Brynna and her daughter had been released from the hospital five days ago. “Not yet. She’s making good strides, though.”

“Brynna wanted to come visit, but hospitals and Brynna don’t mix well. She did send a laptop and her new video game for Lacy to play when she’s able. Mel wrote the script and she and Gabby and Brynna are creating it. It features three heroines—a blonde, brunette, and redhead. I’m not sure where they got their inspiration—except the redhead fighter is named Lillian.”

Rafe snorted. “And the blonde and brunette?”

“Macy the healer and Bari the fairy. Yeah. Clever, aren’t they? But it does seem to be a fun game. There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

“And?”

“You’re still at the hotel. Barratt has a proposition for you.”

“And what is that?” Rafe stepped aside as Annie Gaines and her friend Izzie something-or-rather approached Lacy’s room, carrying a large stuffed teddy bear wearing western wear and a big balloon on it. All of Lacy’s friends had been making certain she knew how much she was missed.

“A house. Fifteen minutes away from FCGH. Almost four thousand square feet. It’s for rent,” Chance named a more than fair price that had Rafe’s attention sharpening. “After six months, if you want to buy, it’s an option.”

“What’s the catch?”

“It’s right next door to the Becks. Houghton’s father purchased it right after Brynna was born. He would stay there occasionally. It’s in too good of shape to tear it down, yet because of its location it poses a security risk to the Becks. And my family. Barratt’s willing to sell it twenty-five percent under market—if it goes to someone we can trust. Marcus and Travis both suggested it would suit you. Marcus stayed there a few months ago when he had his place repainted, said it’s just your style.”

Rafe took a look through the window to Lacy’s room. He saw that redhead and hesitated.

If it wasn’t for her, he would have seriously considered it. But for her...

“Unless you don’t want to live that close to Jillian. Of course, she’ll probably find a guy sometime reasonably soon and get married eventually. Elliot’s friend Erickson is always sniffing at her heels. And that record producer cousin of Houghton’s. And Tobias, that idiot cousin of ours is head-over-heels for her, too. Not like she’ll be living there forever. I know the two of you don’t exactly get along, but...”

Rafe snorted. Chance was probably right—men were always sniffing around Jillian’s heels. He’d seen that for himself at that damned banquet. She’d fall for one eventually. “Let’s go take a look. I’ll give Travis his food and be right with you.”

“Figured you might.”

Rafe took his brother his food, knowing he’d just damned well been manipulated.