you?”
“No. I haven’t really thought about anything. Guess I’ll fly back home. I have a long recovery.”
“May I extend my family’s invitation to stay at our house until you can comfortably travel?”
Naomi didn’t know how to respond. Zack, the devilishly handsome stranger, wanted her to come to his home. He didn’t look certifiable, although what he suggested certainly belonged in that realm.
“If it makes you feel better, I also extended the invitation to your grandmother. She’s arriving tomorrow.”
“What?” She’d been out a day or so and her life had been rearranged. “How did you get in touch with my grandmother?”
“Your coach gave me the information. Her assistant has been so helpful with contacting her. Of course, she’s upset that she couldn’t be here sooner, but arrangements had to be made for your grandfather.”
Naomi had wondered about her grandparents. “I was going to call them today…”
“I have her phone number in my cell.” Zack, the second time her savior, dialed and then handed her the device. Then he discreetly left the room. Did he have to be so thoughtful?
“Hi, Grandma, it’s me.” Her grandmother’s soft voice made her miss home.
“Hi, sweetheart. I’m glad to hear your voice. How do you feel?”
Naomi gave her some details. Her grandmother called to her granddad, announcing her presence on the call. His distant response made her smile.
“I’ll be arriving tomorrow around lunchtime. That wonderful man, Zack, will have a driver pick me up.” Her grandmother giggled. “I feel like a star. He’ll bring me to you. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Do you need me to book a hotel?” Naomi didn’t want to rely on Zack.
“Oh, no, I’ll be staying at Zack’s. Isn’t that nice? There are nice people all over the world, sweetheart.”
“And bad people, too.”
“I sense when people are up to no good. I don’t get that from Zack.”
Naomi pursed her lips. She didn’t want to have a futile argument with her grandmother.
“Plus, you’ll be staying there with me when you’re released tomorrow.”
“We don’t know that.”
“I’ve talked to the doctor, dear. You’ll be released tomorrow. I’ll come get you and then we can head over to the Keathleys’.”
Wasn’t this all nice and tidy? No one bothered to ask her, even though she was under the influence of powerful painkillers. She could expect her grandmother to cave in to a solicitous person, but she was more streetwise. She finished her call with her grandmother, deciding to wait until tomorrow to put her foot down.
“Hi.” Zack reentered the room. “Did you have a lovely talk?”
“Don’t try to be nice. You railroaded my grandmother into your crazy plan.”
“Would you like to talk to my mother?”
“Why?” Naomi didn’t like this never-ending stream of strangers all knowing her business. Plus, why couldn’t he look uncomfortable, instead of standing there as if he was lord of the manor?
“Hi, Naomi.” A young girl poked her head around the door.
“Yes?” she said to the new visitor. Naomi wished they hadn’t removed the morphine drip. Now would be a good time to close her eyes and block out everyone.
“Hey, Zack. I was hoping you’d be here.”
“You must be Chantelle.” Naomi looked at the brother and sister. There was no resemblance.
“Are you getting out today?”
“Tomorrow,” Zack answered. Seeing Naomi’s surprise, he continued, “Your grandmother told me.”
“I wish people would stay out of my business,” she grumbled.
“I wish the same thing, too, but Zack likes to play big brother.”
Naomi didn’t get the big-brother vibe. The man had too much gorgeous material in him to be relegated to sibling status.
“She doesn’t want to stay with us,” Zack told Chantelle.
Chantelle flopped on the bed. “Really? But you have to stay with us.”
“Your brother has helped me already. Debt repaid.” Naomi instantly liked the young