“Don’t sprain your finger, trashing all the messages. We have class tonight,” Saylor reminded him.
“We do. I wouldn’t miss it. Are you okay with having the team over tomorrow to put the furniture together?” he asked quietly as they walked to the entrance.
“Can the girls come?” she asked eagerly.
“The guys won’t come without them. Want to make it dinner together? You all can play board games or color,” Max suggested.
“Yes, please. That sounds fun.” Her worried look had evaporated, and excitement had replaced her drawn face.
“Then we’ll do it. I’ll get it arranged.” Max parked the truck and squeezed her thigh when she automatically reached for the door handle. “Daddy’s got the door, little girl.”
“I can open it.”
“I know. That’s not the point. I want to take care of you. Let me.”
“Yes, sir!” Saylor said, saluting.
“Good girl,” he complimented and chuckled. Getting out, he circled behind the truck to escort her out. To his surprise, shewalked eagerly to the entrance. Pride filled him at the strength of his little girl.
The office welcomed them with calming, pale blue walls and comfortable chairs. Max took a seat with his back to the wall, where he could see the entrance and the door into the inner spaces. The receptionist welcomed Saylor and handed her a form to complete.Good. That will keep her from thinking for a bit.
Saylor turned and smiled when she spotted him. Gratitude that he could be here for her filled Max. She would have been fine without him, but was more relaxed with support.
She checked the last box on the paper and stood to return the clipboard to the desk when the door opened, and a pleasant-looking woman in her late thirties and funky glasses called Saylor’s name. Saylor turned to look at him.
“You’ve got this, baby,” he said softly and watched her straighten her shoulders. When she disappeared through the door, Max sent good vibes after her. He loved her so much.
Pulling out his phone, Max slogged through all his messages and emails as he kept an eye out for Saylor to return. He sent a message to the team notifying them of the gathering and got thumbs up from everyone but Hank.That bastard must be on base, working out.
When the door opened and Saylor appeared, Max stood. His little girl’s face was blotchy like she’d been crying, but she looked good. Like the visit had gone well even though it was tough. She thanked the therapist and flew across the waiting room to throw herself into his arms. Max noticed the therapist and receptionist smiling. Saylor was in good hands.
“Coming back?” he asked.
“Next week,” she confirmed.
“Go make your appointment.”
She almost skipped back to the desk. When she came back, Saylor unwrapped a small sucker. “Barb says sugar helps your brain settle after an appointment.”
“That makes sense.” He held his hand out for the wrapper and shoved it into his pocket before taking her free hand. Then he escorted his precious Little out of the office.
CHAPTER 17
The entire process of entering the base fascinated Saylor. Security had taken her ID and copied it as well as checking Max’s military identification. Equipped with a visitor badge, she’d walked into a large building teeming with activity.
“You need a haircut, son,” a man with rows of insignia and ribbons told Max curtly. Even totally clueless of the military, Saylor knew the stranger was someone important.
“Sir, yes, sir,” Max answered, saluting.
“You weren’t kidding that you needed to get your haircut,” she whispered when they walked away.
Max winked at her. “We’ll go there first.”
A few minutes later, she stood behind a barber’s chair as a soldier buzz-cut Max’s hair back into submission. It was over in less than five minutes. She spent more time talking about what she wanted done with her hair stylist than Max’s entire haircut had taken.
“Office next and then we can go to lunch,” he said, joining her.
Saylor couldn’t resist rising onto her toes to rub the short bristles over his ears. An erotic thought popped into her mind of feeling that sensation on her breasts or between her thighs. Her cheeks heated despite her efforts to push those images away.
