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, passing 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 butt 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 prickled along her fair skin just as apprehension and an underlying excitement prickled 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 passenger 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."