She blew a hank of white hair off her face. “I had to mop the floor and change my clothes after I gave Joshua a bath. He’s quite enthusiastic. I was soaked.”

Diesel was happy his laptop covered him sufficiently, because most of the blood in his brain had rushed south at the thought of her wet. And changing her clothes. He cleared his throat. “It was the sugar from all those brownies.”

She laughed softly. “Probably. But he was so happy, I couldn’t say no. And Michael is so . . . content when Joshua is happy.”

“They’re both asleep?”

“Joshua is. Michael asked that he be allowed to leave his light on to read. But I think he just doesn’t like the dark. I showed him that his lamp has a night-light setting. He was grateful.” Her eyes, so strikingly different, filled with tears. “I hate that these kids are so damn grateful. I hate that Michael hadn’t had food in a week because he was caring for Joshua.”

“But we can respect that, right?” Diesel asked softly, because he did. “Michael did the best he could.”

She sighed. “Of course. I know you’re right.” She shifted so that her legs stretched out in the space between them. “Is this okay? My feet are killing me.”

Her feet were mere inches from his thigh and his hand moved of its own volition, cupping one foot and tugging her closer until he could reach both feet. She made a startled sound that turned into a quiet moan as he began rubbing her soles.

“That feels too good,” she murmured, her eyes sliding closed.

I can make you feel even better, he wanted to say, but held the words back. Not yet. “How long were you on shift before we got there today?”

“I got there at seven, clinic opened at eight. Busy morning. Mmm.” She shivered when his thumb dug deep into her heel. “Right there. Don’t stop.”

Diesel closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, knowing he’d hear those words in his dreams tonight, but in a different context. “You have to go in tomorrow?” he asked, his voice going gruff.

“I’m scheduled for a few hours, but I’m going to call in a few favors. Hopefully I can get coverage through the first part of the week.”

“I can stay with the boys,” he countered, feeling a little defensive.

Her eyes, one blue, one brown, opened and locked on his. “I know you can. I trust you to do so. But I want to be here, too, just for the first few days. They all break my heart, all the kids who come through here as fosters, but these two . . .”

“Yeah,” Diesel agreed. “They need you.”