“You’re going to stay with me?” she triple-checked.
“Of course. And Zale wouldn’t let me step away if I wanted to. He feels daddies and Littles benefit from knowing how to take care of each Little. He’ll have questions to ask both of us,” Max said.
She could trust her daddy. He’d never lied to her. “Okay, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Let’s go. I’ll come let you out of the truck.”
In a few minutes, Zale led them to his home office. He patted the paper-lined exam table. “Come sit, Saylor.”
Max picked her up and sat her on the end. Her feet dangled freely as she looked around the room. She could have been sitting in any doctor’s office she’d ever visited. Medicalequipment hung on the wall near the exam table. Cabinetry filled one corner with a counter and a sink. She swallowed hard when she noticed a covered tray sitting on a rolling cart. Was that for her?
Zale grabbed a white coat from behind the door and pulled it on before sitting on a rolling stool. “Okay, Saylor. Let’s talk. Tell me why you and your daddy are here.”
“You said you could help me with birth control,” she forced out of her mouth, trying to sound casual and hearing the betraying quiver in her own voice. “Sorry. I always get nervous at the doctor’s office.”
“Thank you for letting me know. Your daddy will be here to reassure you and I will answer any questions you have. On the topic of birth control, I can absolutely help you with that. I suggest we test both of you to make sure you don’t have anything that you could share with the other. Max is frequently tested as a regular part of his military screening.”
“I’ve been tested,” Saylor said quickly.
“All my patients have routine bloodwork every year at least, so I can keep an eye on their health. Do you have an objection to me including this test as a safeguard?” Zale asked, looking at her intently.
“No,” Saylor answered, shrugging. Did he not believe her, or was he really that concerned about his patients?
“How are you on immunizations? Tetanus? Measles?”
“I think I’m fine.” She didn’t want a bunch of shots.
“Do you have them listed somewhere?” Zale asked.
“I think so. I can look the next time I’m at my place.”
“Max will help you remember,” Zale said, looking meaningfully at her daddy.
“On it.” Max pulled out his phone and made a note.
I’m going to get shots soon.Saylor couldn’t be angry. Having someone actually coordinating her health hadn’t happened for a long time. She usually didn’t go to the doctor unless she got sick. In the back of her mind, she appreciated Zale including her in the group he cared for.
“Pap smear?”
Her gaze jerked up to meet his. “Oh, I’m good on that.”
“How long?” Zale didn’t play around. How did he know?
“Probably two years,” she admitted.
“So that means four years ago?” Zale asked.
“Maybe. I’ve been busy.”
“Your daddy and I will get you on a regular schedule. Okay, what else? Do you take any medicine?”
“Vitamins when I remember them. Nothing else. Well, except for ibuprofen for headaches.”
“Do you get headaches often?”
“If I do a lot of artwork.”
“Gotcha. Allergies?” Zale asked.
