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He cocked his head, studying the woman. Had she overheard his inquiry? He went to her, saw that she clung to the arm of the young nurse. “Your Gracie?” he asked.
The woman nodded proudly. “She’s my granddaughter. Who are you? And why are you here?”
“My name is Hunter Worth. I’m Gracie’s boss.” The nurse gasped at first mention of his name, but he ignored her. Ever since Worthwhile was created, the younger set recognized the Worth name quickly. Plus there was that one-time appearance he made on a fashion designer reality show. He still regretted that choice, wished like hell Alex had done it instead. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He stuck out his hand.
The woman settled her hand in his warily, suspicion glinting in her gaze. “You came all the way up here to check on your employee?”
“Gracie is a very—valuable employee to me. Is she all right?” The words tripped over themselves, and he knew she noticed. He could tell by the turn of her head, the sharpness that gleamed in her green eyes. Eyes that reminded him so much of Gracie’s.
“She’s doing better.” She paused, contemplating him. “I’m going back to my room, Mr. Worth. Why don’t you come along with us so we can talk more about Gracie?”
Relief flooded him. “I would be delighted to accompany you back to your room, Mrs.…”
“Hayes. Mrs. Grace Hayes. She was named after me, you know.”
He nodded dutifully.
“And she looks a lot like I did at her age too. She’s almost the spittin’ image of me, if I do say so.”
“Two beautiful ladies, then,” he said in agreement.
The older woman smiled while the nurse continued to stare at him covertly. Word would most likely spread that one of the Worth brothers from Worth Luxury was at the hospital. He’d hoped to avoid this. “You’re a charmer.”
“Thank you—I think.”
“Oh, it’s definitely a compliment.” The woman cackled.
They stopped in front of an elevator, and Hunter turned to the nurse. “I can take over and assist Mrs. Hayes back to her room, if that’s not a problem.”
The nurse blinked up at him. “It’s not, not at all. Thank you. She’s on the second floor.”
“Room 226,” Grace added.
Hunter hit the down button, smiling at the nurse. “Thank you for your assistance.”
“Anytime,” the nurse whispered.
“I’d appreciate it if maybe you could…keep it quiet. That I’m here at the hospital, that is,” he said, hoping like hell she’d agree.
“Oh, I can do that.” She nodded furiously. “That won’t be a problem, Mr. Worth.”
“Thank you. I do appreciate it.”
She hustled away from them as soon as the elevator doors slid open. Hunter clasped hold of Grace’s arm and led her inside the empty elevator, the doors closing in on them quickly. He leaned over and punched the number two button.
“What was that all about?”
He turned to look at Mrs. Hayes. “What was what all about?”
“You were asking the nurse to keep it quiet that you’re here. Are you some celebrity or what?”
“Not quite.”
“Well, what are you then? And who are you really to Gracie?” She peered up at him, her jaw set, her lips tight.
“Perhaps we can discuss it further once we return to your room,” he suggested.
“Which means you’re avoiding my questions. I get it. I wasn’t born yesterday. And neither was my Gracie. She’s one tough cookie, I’ll have you know.”
