Their mom’s shoulders sagged at the mention. “I think I’d like a nap first,” she said with a frown. “As ridiculous as it sounds, coming home wore me out.”

“That doesn’t sound ridiculous at all,” Gabe said. “You had open heart surgery a week ago.”

“Dr. Beacham said you need to rest a lot,” Mason added. “And we’re going to see that you do.”

Cole had spent a couple of hours that morning in her hospital room, as well as the evening shift the night before. Today had been a waiting game, first to get the news that she would, in fact, be released, and then to get the discharge orders, the paperwork, and all the details checked off before they’d let her go.

Mason had been the one who was there for the doctor’s blessing and who’d driven her home. They’d all wanted to be here for her first night back. Sundays had always been family dinner night anyway, even if Cole hadn’t bothered to show up most of the time.

Gabe closed the blinds on the two windows in the room that looked out onto the darkening backyard. “You get some sleep, Mom. We’ll eat when you wake up.”

“What time is it?” She checked the red numbers of the digital alarm clock on the nightstand, which said it was 8:14 p.m. “You boys eat now. I know you’re starving.”

“You know us well,” Mason said.

“I’ll make sure these thugs save you some food,” Drake said.

Gabe snorted good-naturedly. “How dumb do you think we are?”

“When have we ever left you in charge of food?” Mason said to Drake. “We’ll make sure there’s enough saved for your dinner, Mom.”

“I don’t need much,” Faye said. “Cole? Are you doing okay?”

“Good, Mom. Glad you’re home.” He stepped to her side as she carefully lowered herself to lie flat on her back. “We should’ve gotten you a hospital bed so you could raise and lower yourself more easily.”

“I’ve had enough of hospital beds for the rest of my life,” their mom said emphatically. “I’m more than happy to lie down on my own. Now get out of here. Go eat.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Drake said. He patted her foot, which was buried beneath the blankets. “Sleep well, Mom.”

Mason and Gabe followed suit, and Cole bent down and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Get some rest.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, already sounding drowsy.

Cole didn’t reiterate how much the four of them—and Zane, too, from what Drake said—had worried about her. How could they not? She was the force that kept the North family bonds tight, or as tight as Cole would allow them to be.