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 damned 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 assessment 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 passing 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, God, 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.