She studied the sheet, crumpled in her clenched hand. “I don’t want to get you into too much trouble with your family.”

Frankie’s mother and sisters made Kit want to slap them. All three were rich, famous, beautiful…and entitled. They did work hard; she had to give them that. But with Frankie, they doled out affection only in return for what she did for them…rather like an employer would hand out bonuses. Love should flow like the Mississippi to the Gulf, not turn off and on like a faulty faucet.

“I know I have to go back sooner or later.” Frankie walked over to the window and traced a finger down the glass, following the raindrops. “I’m not sure… But probably sooner would be better. Or not.”

Kit tucked her hand over her sore ribs that had started to throb and burn. “That doesn’t sound like you.” Frankie was the least indecisive person she knew. “What’s going on?”

“I’m just having—” Frankie frowned. “You’re hurting. Are you due for your pain meds?”

“The stuff puts me to sleep. I wanted to be awake to talk to you.”

“Tell you what”—Frankie gave her a wry smile—“take your meds and I promise to be back tomorrow and tell you about my sad, sad life.”

“Story time.” Kit started to laugh and at the knife in her side and gut, shut it right down. “I love stories. Promise?”

“You’re as bad as Aric.” Frankie smiled. “He demanded a story—and Hawk demanded I do the reading, so he sat in Hawk’s lap while I read one story. And then he insisted on another.”

“Which you read.” At Frankie’s shrugged agreement, Kit’s eyes filled. “You’re the best godmother ever.”

“I am.”

“But, bestie, remember, we’ll manage. If you need to go home, it’s all right.” And if she did, Kit was going to feel incredibly lost and alone. She made herself smile confidently as Frankie nodded and headed out.

The door closed behind her muffling the sounds of nurses and visitors, of carts going past. Kit closed her eyes. In all the bustle of the hospital, how could she feel so very lost and alone?

That evening, Frankie was sitting beside Bull in the big lakeside gazebo. She leaned toward the blazing firepit, trying to warm her cold fingers. Around her, his family chatted, but she couldn’t manage to follow the conversation. No, she was still trying to work things out in her head.

Kit and Aric were rescued. It was difficult to get past that since fear for their safety had been so much a part of Frankie’s days. Now…now, what was she going to do?

I want to stay. Four short one-syllable words. Add two more. I want to stay with Bull. No question, no indecision. Just truth.

What about Mama, Papà, her sisters? Her job at Bocelli’s?