Golden Lies by Barbara Freethy Page B

not yet acquired had disappeared from their care.
    "Paige, there you are." Martin came through the hospital doors, looking as crisp as he had appeared the night before. She couldn't imagine how he did it. "I'm glad you waited," he said. "I'll drive you home."
    "I'm not going home yet."
    "You've been here all night. You need some sleep."
    "I can't sleep now, not until I know for sure my dad is all right."
    "Paige, it could be hours."
    "My mother should be back shortly," she said, taking a quick look at her watch. "I'll leave when she gets here."
    "Do you want me to wait with you?"
    She shook her head. "No, but thank you for the offer. You've gone above and beyond the call of duty."
    "It's not duty. I care about you."
    She looked away, not liking the gleam in his eyes.
    "Paige, I know this isn't the time, but—"
    "You're right, it's not the time. I have a lot on my mind."
    He frowned. "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"
    She thought about that for a moment. "There's something you can do when you get to the store. You can find out if that dragon statue is anywhere on the premises. I think my father had it with him, but I have to know for sure. I don't want to think there's a connection between the dragon and my father's attack, but it's possible."
    "Does your mother know about this?"
    "I mentioned it to her last night before Dad got hurt. I don't think it's at the top of her list right now. And I really don't want Grandfather to know, although I suspect he already does. He seems to have an uncanny ability to know every single thing that goes on at the store."
    Martin smiled. "The sign of a good executive. Don't worry, Paige. I'll do everything I can to help." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Maybe someday you'll realize I'm a good guy to have around."
    She was saved from answering by the appearance of her grandfather's car pulling up in front of the hospital. She stiffened at the sight. Wallace Hathaway was the most intimidating individual she had ever known. He demanded perfection, and he made no allowances for family. If anything, he expected more from those who shared his blood. She stood up as her grandfather got out of the backseat of his black BMW, which was driven by his longtime chauffeur.
    Eighty-two years of living might have turned his hair a pepper gray and drawn thick lines across his forehead and around his dark eyes, but time had not lessened his stature. At six foot four, her grandfather still seemed like a giant.
    "Grandfather," she murmured, walking over to him. "I didn't expect you back so soon."
    "What are you doing out here? Why aren't you upstairs with your father?" he demanded.
    "I was just—"
    "How is David?" he interrupted.
    "The same," she said.
    Her grandfather's lips tightened with anger, or maybe it was fear. He was a difficult man to read. She wanted to tell him she was scared and worried and have him respond that it would be all right, that her dad would pull through. But to do that would mean admitting personal weakness, something her grandfather never wanted to see.
    "I've hired a private nurse," Wallace said abruptly. "I want someone with him at all times."
    Paige immediately felt guilty for having abandoned her post for even a few moments.
    "I'll walk up with you, Mr. Hathaway," Martin said. "Paige needs a little air."
    She sent Martin a silent thank you, knowing he'd made the offer to give her some space. She sat back down on the bench, retrieving her rapidly cooling cup of coffee.
    Martin and her grandfather got along well, she thought, taking a sip of the tepid liquid. Another item to put in the pro column. And he'd just saved her a few minutes of awkward tension. But deep in her heart she knew there was still something missing in their relationship. Despite all of Martin's good qualities, she couldn't seem to feel more for him than fondness and appreciation. Her mother would say those emotions were enough to base a marriage on. But she wanted more. She