The boys had not been pleased when their uncle had left them, even after James had explained it was only temporary and only so that he could get their things so they would be more comfortable. She hated the grim looks on their little faces, and hated what they were going through. She'd tried to comfort them, but she knew she wasn't the one that they wanted that comfort from.
"Hey," she said finally, once she was convinced the boys were settled into their room in the safehouse.
Coming to rest on the couch beside Josiah, she curled her legs beneath her and watched him for a long moment, her hand moving to scratch gently at fine hairs at the base of his head. "I'd ask if you were okay, but that's the definition of a stupid question."