Another person singing his praises? She didn’t think she could stand it. “Yes, fabulous,” she said, trying to dredge up enthusiasm. “Why are you here?”
“I’m taking a tour of the nursery. Once you start having babies there, I’m going to volunteer. I’ve had experience with multiple-birth babies, you know,” she added with a beaming smile.
Bri hugged her again. “I know you have. And you’re a terrific mother substitute.”
“Bless you, child,” Grace responded, tears in her eyes. Then she stepped back from Bri. “Now, how are you managing? Let me look at you. My, you’ve gotten quite a bit bigger since the last time I saw you.”
“Yes,” Bri agreed with a sigh.
“That’s good, child. You want these babies to grow so when they’re born, they’ll be okay.”
“Of course,” Bri agreed, smiling.
Grace frowned. “But you also need to take care of yourself. How are you managing?”
“You two ladies ready for lunch?” Hunter called. He’d stopped at Lisa’s desk and talked to her. Now he stepped to the door of Bri’s office.
Bri stared at him. “Yes, of course, but we don’t want to take up your valuable time. I’ll take care of Grace.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. Grace is my date. I’m just being nice, letting you come along. Let’s go. We don’t want to be at the back of the cafeteria line. They’ve got chocolate pie today.”
Grace took her hand and pulled her toward Hunter. Before Bri knew it, they were in the elevator. She was going to share lunch again with Hunter. With another family member. Grace might not be a blood relative, but she certainly was part of Bri’s family.
It seemed to Bri that everyone in the cafeteria was staring at them as they went through the line. Hunter and Grace kept up a rambling conversation about their food selections. Grace added several vegetables to Bri’s tray. When Hunter added the chocolate pie, Bri finally protested, but he ignored her. He was too busy waving to the cashier to charge all three meals to his account.
Oh, good, that wouldn’t cause any talk!
“Hunter,” she whispered. “Let me pay for me and Grace. It will cause less talk.”
“Honey, you’ve got to quit worrying about gossip. It’s not important.” Then he raised his voice. “Pick wherever you want to sit, Grace. We’ll follow.”
Grace selected a table for four right in the middle of the room where everyone would see them.
Bri took a seat next to Grace, hoping Hunter would sit down on the older woman’s other side, which would give her a little breathing room. She should’ve known better. He, of course, sat down next to her.
“How did you know Grace was coming today?” Bri suddenly asked.
“She knows Helen and called to ask her to lunch. When Helen told me who she was, I included the two of us.”
Bri turned and looked at Grace. “I didn’t know you knew Helen that well. Weren’t you going to at least come see me?”
“Of course I was. But I knew how busy you’d been with the opening; I didn’t want to cause you any stress. But I’m glad I did see you. Without what we added to your tray, you wouldn’t have had much to eat. Aren’t you taking care of yourself and the girls?”
“Sure I am. But I already had a snack today. Lately it seems I’m eating constantly.” She slanted a glare toward Hunter. “And where is Helen?”
Hunter’s face grew serious. “Zach Beaumont got a new patient today. We’re anxious to get her in the hospital and Helen volunteered to stay at work to speed everything up.” He smiled at her before taking a bite of meat loaf. “But you’re coming along nicely. I looked at the latest ultrasound this morning. The girls are a nice size. But I do worry about you not getting enough rest.”
Grace immediately picked up that point. “Are you trying to do too much, darling?”
“Of course not!” Bri protested. “My place is even a little messy, because I’m really not doing too much. Really, Grace, I’m doing fine.”
“Well, I was thinking it might be a good idea for Alice to start working for you before the babies come. Then you’ll feel more comfortable, turning the children over to her while you get some rest. And it wouldn’t hurt for her to cook and clean a little now.”
Bri carefully put down her silverware and turned to Hunter. “You need to keep your nose out of my business!”
He tried to look innocent, but she had no doubt that he had put Grace up to this sudden idea. She started to rise and he clamped his hand on her arm, keeping her seated.
“Really, Bri, I’m sure I taught you better manners than that. The man is just trying to take care of you,” Grace insisted, frowning. “I’m thankful he contacted me. I had no idea you were ready for help. Why hadn’t you called me? I could at least come by every other day or so and do some laundry or something.”
“Grace, I wouldn’t ask that of you!”
“Well, thankfully, it’s not necessary. I talked to Alice this morning. We thought it would be good if she came in for half a day. She could do laundry, change the bed linens, things like that, in the afternoon and then have dinner ready for you when you got home.”
“That sounds lovely, but it’s totally unnecessary, Grace. I can take care of myself,” Bri assured her.
“Of course you can, but this would be for the girls. They need their rest so they can grow. Please do this for me, darling Bri, so I won’t have to worry about you so much.”
Hunter sat back and watched Grace at work. She’d outflanked Bri at every turn. He could use her on his staff. Most important of all, she was getting Bri to do the right thing.
“In fact,” Grace added, “it will be good for Alice, too. She’s a widow, you know, and she spends too much time alone. She’ll get to know your kitchen and how you like things done, instead of having to learn all that with the complication of three babies.”
Hunter grinned. Now she was telling Bri she was being selfish not giving Alice a job at once. When Bri turned to glare at him, as if she’d been able to read his thoughts, he wiped away the grin. “That’s good thinking, Grace.”
“Of course you would think so. Where did you get Grace’s number? I didn’t tell you her last name,” Bri said.
“I never reveal my sources,” he said with a smile.
“Darling Bri, you should’ve let me know you were struggling,” Grace said, patting her hand. “And I should’ve checked on you more often. I’m afraid I’m spoiling Douglas, centering my world around him. Tsk!”
“Grace, you’ve always spoiled all of us. That’s why we love you so much,” Bri said with a gentle smile. “Tell Alice I’d love for her to start part-time to get adjusted. I’d appreciate her help.”
“Wonderful,
