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"Yeah. They fit okay here."
"Well, hell. I didn't think anyone would ever fit in your space." Lucas got a speculative look on his face as he watched them. "Aren't you surprised?"
"I never thought about anyone being here." Jacob didn't know quite how to explain it. He wasn't surprised, because it wasn't something he'd ever considered long enough to have an opinion on it. He didn't spend a lot of time thinking about the future or a life he didn't have. He kept his world focused, controlled, and in balance. Annie, Phoebe, and Cupcake had clicked in, and that was that. "They're fine."
"Well, let me know if that changes."
"It won't."
Lucas put his hands on his hips and turned to face him. "You all right? This isn't you. You're not okay with people."
He shrugged. "I'm okay with our family. And a few others. Every person has an energy. A vibe. They either fit me or they don't. Most people don't fit, but Annie and Phoebe do. It won't change."
Lucas grinned. "Well, damn, then. If you're going to keep them, you'll need some more furniture. You have one bed."
"They can have the bed. I'll sleep on the couch."
"The couch is hard as rock and too short."
Jacob narrowed his eyes. "I like my house the way it is."
"I know. We'll take the extra furniture out when they leave. It'll be back the way it was. But you can't have them living with you and not make a few adjustments."
Jacob tensed, resistance building inside him. He didn't like change. He didn't like anyone trying to make him into what he wasn't. "They won't care."
"They won't complain, but that doesn't mean they won't care. It's a mom and a kid on the run. Having some comforts in the house will be good for them." Lucas softened his voice. "Maybe try it, at least, for their sake. If it stresses you out, we can adjust. But remember when you were at your worst. The mattress Brody gave you felt like a gift, even though it was under a bridge. You can give that to these two. Don't you want to do that?"
Hell. Lucas was right. Annie needed to feel safe, and his cold bare floor and barren home wasn't a warm and cozy place for a little girl. Jacob grunted. "I hate it when you make sense."
Lucas laughed. "I know how to get to you, that's all." Lucas patted his shoulder. "I'll grab a few things, and bring them over."
"Get rugs." Jacob watched them play. He didn't remember ever playing like that, not even as a kid. It was foreign to him, but also relaxing. His lawn needed that joy, he realized. Just like fertilizer and water, his lawn needed the positive energy. He thought of his horses. Would they benefit, too? He was going to find out. "No delivery men. This is a high-alert situation. No strangers get onto my land."
"Absolutely. I'll get everything and bring it myself." Lucas pulled out his phone. "I'll have Bella bring some dinner over. Cool? And some groceries. You can't leave Annie and Phoebe unattended to go shopping. Dylan made it clear that you needed to stay with them all the time."
"Okay." Jacob smiled, thinking of how Annie and Phoebe would respond to one of Bella's meals. His sister was a culinary genius. "Yeah, I'm not leaving the property as long as they're here."
"We'll bring stuff in."
"Thanks." He let out a breath and finally took his gaze off his visitors to look at his brother. "I appreciate it."
Lucas nodded. "We're all in this together, bro. Like every other situation. When Dylan gets back, maybe we'll get more info. But for now, we know our job, and we'll work together to keep them safe. You need a break at any point, give me a ring and I'll come stand guard for you."
Jacob nodded. "Thanks." He and his siblings were all great with guns, self-defense, and anything else that would help keep them safe. He'd trust any of them with Phoebe and Annie's safety—
He suddenly noticed that Annie had stopped playing. She was standing stock still, staring at Lucas. Her body was tense, and her eyes were wide. Phoebe was scrambling to her feet, alarm on her face as she saw the change in her daughter.
Shit. He knew fear when he saw it. "Lucas. Stay there for a sec."
Lucas followed his gaze to Annie, and swore under his breath, also recognizing the fear in the little's girl's stance. "Yeah, okay."
Jacob headed across the lawn toward his charges. "Annie," he said. "Look at me."
Annie was still fixated on Lucas, frozen in fear as Phoebe hurried over and put her hand on her shoulder. "Annie," Phoebe said. "It's okay."
Jacob knelt in front of Annie, blocking her view of Lucas. "Annie," he said softly. "Who do you see across the lawn?"
Her gaze went to him, because his body was blocking her view. "Frank. Is that Frank?"
