He twisted front with a bag in hand. "Sorry I was late today. I swung by the BX after debrief and picked this up for Magda. Maybe you should give it to her, though. She probably won"t be too excited to see me after the scene on the flight line."
Lori opened the bag and peered inside.
A dark-haired Barbie peered back up at her.
Uh-oh. Now she knew why she had walked away without saying goodbye a year ago, tried again today. Resisting Gray while he wore boxers and a smile had been hard enough. Holding strong against the man who bought Barbies for babies could be a near impossible task.
*** After Gray picked up Magda"s chart at the nurses" station, he and Lori crossed the hall to the little girl"s room. He shrugged through a kink in his shoulder and shifted into doctor mode.
Urgency thrummed through him to see, treat and heal his patient. A healthy child stood a better chance of being placed. He knew that as well as Lori.
His feet slowed as an idea picked up speed in his mind like an ascending plane. Was that his role for Lori before he could cut ties and leave? Helping her advance her career?
In the past, he"d taken a hands-off approach to her job, maybe because she worked with kids. Whenever she"d shared a story about one of her tiny clients, Lori"s face had glowed with a beauty and yearning that had his restless feet itching to run. Every time he had changed the subject, he knew he"d been an insensitive jerk. He"d just been so d.a.m.ned wary of letting her become embroiled in a scenario that would have her believing he could be a father.
Now that they were no longer a couple, he could support her in her work. Right? She"d said speedy placement of all the children would solidify her position and the validity of the southeastern branch. He could offer medical advice, contacts and encouragement until the last child was securely placed. The idea hit cruising speed and leveled off, his course set.
Lori hesitated just outside Magda"s room.
"What"s wrong?"
She faced the door, soft television noises wafting through. "Am I doing the right thing coming to see her? Am I being selfish?"
"How so?"
"I do my best for all the children we transport. But for some reason that little girl got to me more than the others. What if I"m just coming to see her because I want to, not because it"s best for her?" Lori"s words tumbled over each other in a nervousness unlike her. "What if it turns into another scene like at the base? I don"t want to upset her, especially when she"s sick."
"Do you want to leave?"
"No."
"What do you want?"
Lori rolled her eyes. "I want to take her home."
The rest of Gray"s answer came to him. He knew precisely what to do for Lori. He could find that home for Magda and give Lori the child she wanted after all, someone she could shower with her unselfish love. He didn"t question the speed of his decision. Both his jobs necessitated quick a.s.sessment of the situation, followed by a solid plan of action. Both his professions also required a hefty dose of self-confidence in those decisions. "So do it."
"Do what?"
"Take her home."
Lori with a child. The thought of her as a mother seemed so right, so natural. The notion grew in appeal with each pa.s.sing breath.
A food cart rattled past in the silence.
"You"re kidding, right?"
"Didn"t you tell me you"ve been a foster parent before?"
"Short-term, Gray, just as a forty-eight-hour stop gap for children on their way to permanent foster placement. Nothing with such an awesome commitment."
Commitment. The word might make him flinch, but not Lori. She could come through for that kid with ease.
Gray tucked closer to Lori to let hospital personnel and visitors stroll past. "Then be Magda"s foster mother while the system irons out the kinks with finding her a home."
"But I work-"
"And working mothers can"t have kids? You know better than that. If anyone can juggle it all, you can." He could see the idea taking hold in her mind with wary acceptance. He plowed forward with his next argument before she could argue or doubt. "For now let"s go inside, see Magda and play it by ear. This kid needs someone in her corner fighting for her. With any of the other children, you wouldn"t hesitate to walk in that room and take on the world for her."
Lori drew her full bottom lip between her teeth thoughtfully, then released it with agonizing slowness. "I have to file someone"s name within the next forty-eight hours or she"ll become a ward of the state. I could give them mine, shouldn"t be any problem. That will hold until the evidentiary hearing thirty days from now for more permanent placement. At least it will buy her some time." Lori pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead. "Oh, G.o.d, I must be crazy."
"But you"re going to do it."
"Yes." Determination fired her words. "Yes. I am."
Victory sent a charge of excitement through him that left Gray wanting to celebrate. In the best of ways. His gaze gravitated to her full mouth. Lori"s pupils widened, darkened, deepened. Her breath picked up a notch, sending an answering response through him.
Gray reined in his wayward hormones. The idea was to get over the woman before he left, not make things worse. "Let"s go in then."
He tucked Magda"s chart under his arm, tapped twice on the door and shoved it open.
Magda lay listless and half-asleep in the bed, an IV taped to her tiny hand. Tubes for nasal oxygen wrapped from her nose around her ears. A grandmotherly aid sat reading in a chair by the bed while a blue, animated dog romped across the television.
Man, the kid was a heart-tugger.
He had to be honest with himself. He wanted to see Magda, too, needed to rea.s.sure himself the little imp was healthy and safe. Their parting at the base had rattled even a hard-nose like himself.
The aid closed her book and smiled. Gray held up the chart. "You can take a break. One of us will buzz the nurses" station when we"re ready to go."
The older lady nodded as she crossed to the door. "Thank you, Dr. Clark. I"ll run down to the cafeteria for coffee and be right back."
Gray held the door open. "No rush."
The door swished closed. Antic.i.p.ation hummed low as Gray watched Lori stop beside the bed rail. Gently she rested her fingers on Magda"s arm. The child startled and turned her head.
Would Magda blame Lori for the scene on the runway, too? Who knew what whirled through her confused mind?
Her tiny bow mouth tipped into a grin. She struggled to sit up, but succ.u.mbed to rattling coughs.
Concern a degree beyond professional simmered in Gray. He whipped the stethoscope from his thigh pocket. He knew too well pneumonia was the leading cause of death among children in developing countries. Why the h.e.l.l hadn"t he considered that before suggesting Lori tangle her life and heart up with this kid? Doubts didn"t come often to him, so the possibility of being wrong gripped him with alarming force.
However, looking at the two of them together, he couldn"t regret his decision. Magda needed her. Lori braced a gentle hand on the child"s back, soothing Magda until she could control her breathing. They were right together.
He strolled to the bed. "Hi, Magpie."
Her smile vanished. Magda"s bottom lip shot out with a speed and reach his nieces and nephews would have applauded. Her mutinous glare left him with no doubt about her thoughts.
She was mad as spit. At him. Only him. Women had long memories, and he was definitely persona non grata for little Magpie.
Gray warmed the stethoscope on his palm so she could see it and understand. "I need to check your breathing."
Magda eyed the stethoscope and scooted closer to Lori.
Lori clasped Magda"s little fingers. "It"s okay."
Magda sat rigidly while he slid the stethoscope on her back between the part in her polka-dot hospital gown, then around front. Her breath sounds rattled in his ears. Not a good sign, but perhaps minimally better than the day before.
"How is she?"
Gray draped his stethoscope around his neck and waggled his hand. "A little improved. Why don"t you give her the present while I look over her chart?"
"Shouldn"t you give-" Magda"s scowl in Gray"s direction stopped Lori. Her hand fluttered to rest on his arm. "I"m sorry."
"Don"t sweat it," he said, trying like h.e.l.l to ignore Lori"s touch. "As long as she gets the toy, it doesn"t matter who gives it to her."
Lori"s eyes narrowed. "d.a.m.n, you"re good."
A wry chuckle slipped free. "Well, hon, you haven"t said that to me in quite a while."
"And then you"re so bad."
Gray backed up a step. "Take care of our little friend while I review her records."
He dropped into a chair by the window, propping his boot on one knee to rest his leg. He opened the chart in his lap and flipped through pages. Lori"s Southern drawl poured over him as she talked to Magda, accompanying words with gestures.
Lori mimed a cup brought to her mouth as she asked Magda if she wanted a drink. The girl nodded enthusiastically, and Lori poured her a gla.s.s of ice water.
Other word plays and gestures followed until Gray realized Lori was actually communicating with Magda through a basic, but formalized sign language. Interesting. A part of her training, perhaps? What else didn"t he know about this fascinating woman?
Lori lowered the rail and perched on the edge of the bed, pa.s.sing Magda the bag from the store. Gray stopped turning pages.
Magda eyed the sack warily. Her hand crept toward it, then paused. She looked from Gray to Lori with such distrust he wanted to go back to Sentavo, kick some serious b.u.t.t and take a long list of names.
Her tiny hand pinched the edge of the bag and lifted. She peeked inside-and smiled.
Gray felt as if he"d found a cure for the common cold. Magda yanked the Barbie out of the bag and struggled to rip open the box. Lori"s head dipped as she helped Magda.
Lori"s face shone with a natural beauty that stole the air from his lungs. Complete contentment radiated from her in waves he couldn"t help but envy.
Gray watched the two of them and knew he"d been right in suggesting Lori become Magda"s guardian. With their two dark heads so close, anyone could have mistaken them for mother and daughter. This was it. What he had to do to right the way they"d left things a year ago.
Finally he could offer her what she wanted. Through Magda, Lori would find that sense of home she seemed to need, the child she wanted. His last two weeks in Charleston could be spent helping Lori settle in with her new child.
Then he could walk away.
Fast on the heels followed the knowledge that he wouldn"t be leaving her with some other man to make those babies. The thought stirred satisfaction-and guilt. Lori might imagine she was selfish for the least little wish, but he knew better.
He was the selfish one.
Chapter 7.
Lori stepped through the hospital"s automatic doors, Gray trailing her. The late-afternoon sun p.r.i.c.kled along her fair skin just as apprehension and an underlying excitement p.r.i.c.kled along her every nerve.
Magda would be coming home with her in two days. Stay objective, Lori warned herself. This was just another case. Another child. A very special child.
Cars roared and honked past in rush hour traffic, echoing the thundering of Lori"s blood throbbing through her veins.
She slumped against the brick wall, gasping in drags of heavy air to steady her stuttering heart. "I can"t believe I"m going to do this. I have seventy-one other kids to follow up on in the next few weeks. What am I thinking taking on a sick four-year-old full-time?"
Gray leaned beside her, his boot propped on the wall behind him. "You"re thinking she"ll have nowhere else to go if you don"t."
"I know, I know. Meanwhile, I have to buy clothes, food, toys and a thousand other things before she"s released from the hospital. Will she really be ready to go forty-eight hours from now? That seems awfully early."
"She"ll be fine. A secure home where she feels loved is the best medicine at this point." He pushed away from the wall. Bracing a hand on her back, he sauntered beside her across the street toward his Explorer. "Where do you want to go first?"
"To get my car, of course."
"I, uh, meant shopping. Which mall?"
"You want to go ... shopping?" Shock immobilized her. A car honked for Lori to clear the road.
Gray ushered her across, his hand still planted possessively on the small of her back. "I want to help you find what you need to settle Magda. This was my idea, after all, so I feel responsible."
Responsible? She"d wanted many things from Gray in the past, but grudging obligation hadn"t made her top-ten list. "Thanks, really. But I can manage on my own. I"ll be able to wrap things up at the office while she"s in the hospital. I"ll have the weekend to acclimate Magda. Meanwhile, I can work out the rest of the accommodations. We"ll be fine."
"I"m sure you will." Gray stopped by the pa.s.senger door. "Where do you want to go shopping first?"
Something else she"d forgotten about Gray. He was a mule. Stubborn. Stubborn. Stubborn. While easygoing most of the time, he could simultaneously smile and dig those boot heels in deeper than oak tree roots. "You really want to go shopping?"
"With you. Yes, I do."
The thrust of his jaw convinced her. But why? "Do you want to pick up some early Christmas gifts for your nieces and nephews?"
"Sure. It beats fighting the crowds later."
"Yeah. I guess so." But a guy shopping months ahead of time? Not a chance. He was holding back, and she didn"t like it. At least they"d always been straight with each other. As he reached to open her door, she grabbed his wrist. "Cut it out, Gray."
"What?"
"This isn"t going to get you an invitation back into my bed."
He slid a slow look down to her hand still on his arm. Humidity and longing weighted the air until it became almost impossible to breathe. She jerked away.