"Thank you," Karen managed to say, surprised surely, and teetering on the edge of denying such an offer. The sentence dangled, dropped off with a breath, and after a few moments of not-entirely-stoic conflict, she did in fact pick up the curious child. Gently, as a woman who is not a mother might, unsure of herself but curious nevertheless.
It was an odd feeling that built in her chest afterward, a warmth hued with a certain wistfulness. She looked over to Adelaide again, content not to think it over much; brief recognition, acceptance. "There ought to be a few things a woman of your experience would be well-suited for around here," Karen said in a valiant attempt not to be so distracted. "Nothing like my work, God Bless, but even then I'm sure the Department has some need for administrative aid and the like."
A few moments of amusement, and Karen looked to place Charlie carefully back where he belonged.