between his denim-clad legs. Their small round faces revealed the same facial structure and brown eyes. They had to be related.
“What you doin’?” the little one asked from his perch on the handlebars.
Smiling, she answered, “Reading. What are you doing?”
“Watchin’ you,” the older boy responded.
Giggling, Shae tossed the papers back into her briefcase and gave the boys her full attention. “Fair enough. Do you live around here?”
Twin heads bobbed up and down. The older boy pointed at a house down the block. “Yeah. We live down there. Near the corner.”
“Where do you live?” the little one asked.
“Downtown, for now,” Shae answered.
The younger boy slipped from the handlebars and moved closer. “What’s your name?”
“Shae.”
Pointing a finger at his chest, he volunteered, “I’m Desmond.”
“Well, hello, Desmond.” Shae dipped her head in silent acknowledgement, directing her attention to the other child. “And you are?”
“Sterling. Sterling Walls.”
Shae rose from the bench and extended her hand. The young man hesitated for a moment, blushing profusely before slipping his small hand in hers.
Desmond walked over to her and touched her briefcase. “What are you readin’?”
“Work stuff. Do you like to read?”
“I’m too young to read,” Desmond answered.
Turning to the older boy, Shae asked, “How about you, Sterling? Do you like to read?”
“Little bit. But I like video games and TV better.”
Shae noticed Desmond kept wiping his runny nose with the sleeve of his striped T-shirt. The poor little thing looked miserable. Germs, Shae thought. Maybe she could help, mentally shifting through the items in her briefcase. She reached inside her briefcase, pulled out a personal size packet of tissue and crooked a finger, beckoning him closer. The younger kid cautiously moved to the bench and she took his small chocolate round face gently between her fingers and wiped his nose with a tissue. “There. Much better. Do you have a cold?” Shae tossed the used tissue in the wired trash basket near the bench.
He nodded.
“Keep these.” She offered the tissues.
Cautiously, Desmond reached out his hand and took the white packet. His little forehead crinkled into a frown as he took her gift. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Let me give you something to help.” She rummaged through her briefcase and gave the boy a yellow vitamin C drop. Most children thought they were eating candy when in fact they were getting the daily requirement of vitamin C. “This will help you get rid of your cold quicker.”
The older boy grabbed Desmond’s shoulder and jerked him away. “Don’t,” he hissed softly. “What did Momma tell us? Don’t take candy from strangers.”
“She’s nice. I like her. And I want it,” Desmond whined.
“Momma will get us,” the older kid cautioned.
Their mother had given them sound advice and Shae didn’t want to contradict a parent’s training and wishes. She cleared her throat and pointed at the building behind them. Both boys turned toward the clinic. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I work right here.”
“Are you a doctor?” Sterling asked.
“No. I’m a nurse. If you get sick I can help you.”
From the distance she heard their names being called. “It sounds like somebody is looking for you guys. You better get on home and see what it’s about.” Shae put the vitamin C drops in Sterling’s hand. “Before you go, take these with you. Let your mother decide if you can have them.”
“Come on, Desmond.” Sterling shoved the drops in his pocket, then lifted the bike from the ground.
The little one hurried to the front of the bike and Sterling lifted him onto the handlebars. They sped down the street as J.D.’s black Crossfire zipped into the empty parking space in front of the clinic.
He climbed out of the car and hurried to the wood bench, watching the kids make their way down the street. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She glanced at the pair as they crossed the street. “I made a couple of new friends.”
“Shae, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Is everything okay?” she asked, focusing on him. He looked as attractive as ever and she felt really happy to see him.
“The client I was expecting at three showed up at four-thirty with a lame excuse. Forgive me, please?”
“Sure. Things happen. I understand that.” She smiled at J.D., patting his arm. “Don’t worry about it. It gave me an opportunity to meet a couple of the kids from the neighborhood.”
“I’m glad. Although I feel really bad about being late.” The phone hooked to his belt began to vibrate. J.D. grimaced, glancing at the screen. “I’ve got to take this. Give me a minute.” He unhooked the phone and answered the call. Seconds later he ended the call and returned the phone to his belt. “Sorry.”
“No problem. Don’t stress over it.” Shae shut her briefcase and rose from the bench.
“Ready?” he asked, removing her leather briefcase from her hand.
“Yes.”
“How about dinner?” J.D. asked, cupping her elbow as he guided her to the car and opened the passenger door.
“Dinner?” Shae didn’t expect him to feed her every day, although she loved spending as much time with him as possible. “I don’t expect you to entertain me.”
“I know. But, I feel bad about being late. Plus, it’s your first day on the job. I want to hear all about it.”
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