I head out, my grin fading.
I have to find that keychain.
The mansion isdark when I pull up except for the soft glow of lights from Ethan’s room. Linda’s car is in the driveway, which means she’s already put him to bed.
I find her in the kitchen, cleaning up from dinner.
“You’re home late,” she says without looking up from the dishes.
“Practice ran long.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. “Ethan asleep?”
“Has been for the last hour. Poor thing tuckered himself out playing in the garden.” She dries her hands on a towel and gives me that look. The one that says she knows something’s up. “You going somewhere?”
“Just need to run an errand. Won’t be long.”
“At this hour?”
“It’s not even ten yet.” I’m already heading for the stairs to change out of my workout clothes.
“Grayson, have you thought about a replacement nanny?” she asks as I climb up the steps. “I keep telling you I’m going to retire any day now. I’m old, boy.”
“Old?” I grin. “You’re not a day over fifty, Linda.”
Her snort follows me to my bedroom where I shower and change into jeans and a dark shirt. I check on Ethan and find him sprawled across his bed, teddy bear clutched to his chest, nightlight casting soft shadows across his face. My chest tightens watching him sleep so peacefully.
The hospital is a twenty-minute drive, and the parking lot has quite a few cars. The ER entrance is quieter than it was thatfirst night but still busy. A few people sit in the waiting area, a woman I don’t recognize at the intake desk.
I head to the lost and found where a pretty blonde is sitting. When she sees me, her bored expression transforms into one of interest. “How can I help you?”
“Hey there.” I turn on the charm, beaming at her. “I was in here the other day and dropped a keychain. It had a bear attached to it. Could you see if someone turned it in?”
“A keychain?” She turns around to check the boxes behind her. It takes her some time, and I try not to let my impatience show. Finally she turns around and says ruefully, “I’m sorry. I can’t see it. But if you want to leave your number, I’ll let you know if I find it.”
Her smile is shy and a little hopeful as she pushes a pen and paper toward me. Reluctantly I look down at it. I really don’t want to give out my number. The last thing I need is for it to get leaked. Before I can make a decision, however, a familiar scent reaches me, and a woman says, “Jennie, put this in the box, will you? I found these glasses in one of the beds.”
“Sure, Miranda.” Jennie reaches out to take the glasses, and I turn around to face the woman.
“Nurse Carver.” I have on my most charming smile. “We really need to stop running into each other like this.”
“You again?” She gives me a surprised look that holds hints of annoyance. “What are you doing here?”
I lean against the marble counter, grinning at her. “It’s a hospital. Take a guess.”
“Ethan must be fine considering you’re smiling like a loon,” she mutters.
My smile fades at the mention of Ethan, and I immediately grab her by the arm and pull her a safe distance.
“Hey!” she protests, and I immediately let her go. She’s too thin, I note to myself.
“Sorry.” I look around cautiously. “Can you not mention my son in public?”
Her eyes narrow. “Why? He is yours, isn’t he?”
“Yes!” I scowl. “But I am a celebrity, and I try to keep a low profile where my child is concerned. I already told you. Nobody knows about him. The last thing I need is a nurse with the gift of the gab spilling my secrets.”
“Gift of the gab?” She gives me an outraged look. “How dare you? It’s not like I was telling anyone. I was asking you!”
“Well, keep your voice down!” I hiss.
