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Oh, he knew. And he admired the hell out of her for it, too.
The doors opened to the second floor, and he led Grace’s grandmother to her room, helping her settle on top of the bed and handing her a cup of water when she asked for it. Anxious to hear news on Gracie, he sat on the edge of the hard chair that was next to the bed, clutching his hands in front of him as he watched Grace settle in.
“You’ve been right patient with me,” she said once she was finished squirming.
He smiled but it was forced. “I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”
“You’re also quite the gentleman. I’m sure my Gracie is taken with that.” He started to protest, but she held up a hand to silence him. “No need to deny it, I think I know what you’re all about.”
Hunter clamped his lips shut and swallowed. “What exactly do you think I’m all about?”
“Well, you’re not here simply because you’re her boss and worried over her condition.”
“I’m extremely worried about her condition, which you still haven’t informed me of yet.”
She leaned forward, her gaze meeting his. “She had surgery earlier. Minor internal bleeding, some damage to her kidney, but they repaired it. Though it might aggravate her later, the doctor said.”
Closing his eyes, he said a small prayer of thanks. Though worry still clutched at his heart at the words “aggravate her later”, at least she was going to be okay.
“She suffered a major head injury and she broke her wrist. She’s pretty banged up,” her grandmother continued.
Nodding, he silently urged her to continue.
“She’s also been unconscious since they brought her to the hospital. She was talking and responsive when they pulled her from the wreckage, but once they arrived, she slipped back into unconsciousness and only came out of it a bit ago. I’m sure she’s not out of the woods yet.”
Dread consumed him. “Unconscious?” he repeated weakly.
“Yes. What with her head injury, they think the two are related, but the doctors are surprised at how long she was out.”
“What exactly happened to her?”
“It was a terrible car accident about twenty miles from the hospital. It was raining and she drifted into the other lane. She ended up rolling the car down an embankment.”
Fear gripped him by the throat, nearly choking him. She could’ve died. Or her injuries could’ve been far, far worse. Of course, no one knew the true extent of her injuries considering she’d only just woken up from a three-day unconscious state no one could explain.
“She’s pregnant, you know.” The words dropped from the older woman’s lips like live bombs, decimating him with her nonchalant tone. As if she’d made a neutral comment about the weather.
Those words rocked Hunter’s world. Robbed him of breath and sent him reeling so hard he leaned back in his chair, stunned silent.
“I gather you didn’t know.” She paused. “I don’t think she knew either.”
“Does—does she know now?” He sounded breathless, as if he just ran one hundred miles and his heart beat erratically.
“I told her. I believe it was that bit of news that woke her up, though she
didn’t acknowledge the fact that she’s going to be a mama.” The woman fairly beamed, she looked so proud. “She’s going to make me a great-grandma. I gather you had something to do with that as well?”
If he’d been stunned silent before, her words had now completely rendered him mute. How was he supposed to answer that?
“The look on your face is answer enough.” She shook her head and scoffed. “You men come in my girls’ lives and ruin them, just like that. She’s a successful businesswoman, and you go and seduce her. How dare you?”
It had just taken a turn for the worse. “It’s not how you think,” he started but she silenced him with a cold stare.
“It’s exactly like I think and I know it. Mister Big Shot Boss tells pretty little Gracie that he wants to be with her and next thing she knows, she’s falling into bed with you. You use her up, spit her out and already forgotten her. I’m sure you’re here only out of a sense of guilt. The girl could’ve died, you know.”
“I know,” Hunter said firmly. “And I’m not here because of some sense of guilt or obligation. I’m here because I care for your granddaughter and was worried sick about her.”
“You don’t know my granddaughter. You don’t know how tough her life has been or how much she’s suffered. And now you’ve gotten her pregnant. What are you going to do to make it right?”
