Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“And your head hurts?” he asked, brushing his fingers over her temples.
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Trained physician here, Little girl.” He pressed his hand against her forehead. “You’re running a fever. That’s concerning after your infection. I will drive you home.”
“Hunter, I can’t just abandon my shop,” she denied, shaking her head before she froze.
“Dizzy?” he probed.
“No,” she denied.
“Do not lie to your Daddy,” Hunter warned. He had discovered his Little girl’s stubborn side. Long seconds elapsed as he held her gaze, waiting for her to tell him the truth.
Finally, she sighed and nodded. “Maybe just a bit—but only if I move my head too fast.”
“You’re going home. Do you want me to carry you out of here over my shoulder or will you cooperate?”
“But…”
“But nothing. Sunshine can take over for the rest of the afternoon. Tangerine has welcomed all the new arrivals. We’re all ready to leave.”
“But you have to go back to the hospital,” she protested.
“Dr. Isaacson owes me a favor. He will be glad to fill in for my afternoon shift.” Hunter leaned her away from his body to grab his phone. He sent a quick text and watched a positive response appear on his screen in a few seconds. “There, it is all handled.”
Within minutes, he had her bundled into his car with Tangerine settled quietly in his carrier in the back seat. He drove to her house, becoming more concerned as she immediately fell asleep in the passenger seat. As he pulled into her driveway, she blinked her deep brown eyes at him.
“We’re home?” she asked.
“We are, sweetheart. Let me grab my bag from the back and I’ll come help you out.”
“Okay. I don’t feel so good,” she admitted.
“I’m going to help you with that, Pumpkin.” When she nodded, Hunter triggered the remote garage door opener she’d given him, pulled the trunk release, and slid from his seat. He quickly gathered his emergency bag and some additional supplies he had collected to take care of his Little girl.
Ushering her inside, he led her immediately to the bedroom and undressed her before tucking her between the crisp sheets.
“Tangerine,” she whined.
“I’ll go get him. He’ll understand that I need to take care of you first,” Hunter reassured her.
He chuckled as her response followed him to the bedroom door. “I don’t know about that.” The cat could be very vocal when he didn’t get his way.
To Hunter’s delight, Tangerine was enjoying the fresh air blowing in from the passenger door Hunter had left open. “Good boy, Tangerine. Let’s go in and I’ll get you a treat.”
Tangerine meowed an eager response at that suggestion. Within minutes, Hunter had the cat released inside and munching on special soft kitty rewards. After giving the orange tabby one last pet, Hunter washed his hands at the kitchen sink and headed to take care of CC.
Soft snores greeted him as he walked into the master bedroom. He was glad she could get some sleep. Quickly, he gathered a few things from his supplies and knelt by the bed. Hunter brushed the hair from her face.
“Daddy?”
“I’m going to listen to your heart and lungs, baby,” he shared as he tugged the covers away. Her nipples immediately tightened into stiff peaks and she shivered.
“Brrr!”
“I know, Pumpkin. We’ll get you snuggly warm soon,” he comforted her, rubbing the bell of his stethoscope against his shirt to warm it up slightly before pressing it to her chest. Her heart and lungs sounded fine, much to his relief.
“Turn over, Pumpkin.”
“I don’t want a spanking,” she mumbled.
“No spanking,” he promised.
Reassured, she nodded and rolled onto her tummy. Hunter withdrew the large thermometer from its case and coated it with lubricant before spreading her buttocks to reveal that small, hidden opening. Her head reared back as he eased the thick device into her rectum.
“Nooo!”
“I need to check your temperature,” he explained, holding her safely in place as she wiggled her bottom.
“I don’t like this,” she protested. “Can’t you use one of those forehead thingies?”
“Little girls have their temperatures taken in their bottoms.” He knew it was the best way to measure her temperature correctly.
Hunter swirled it in her tight channel, ensuring that he placed it as deeply as possible to get the most accurate reading. Watching the clock, he counted down the required ten minutes before removing the instrument and turning it to read her temperature.
Too high. He needed to get this down. After easing the covers back over her, he cleaned the thermometer and set it on the nightside with the lubricant. He would need it again.
Keeping an eye on CC, Hunter pulled his phone from his pocket, called Dr. Okino, and left a message. She returned his phone call quickly. Hunter answered, keeping his voice low as he explained the situation. Checking for each urgent sign the skilled specialist warned could indicate her infection had returned, Hunter exhaled in relief. She didn’t have any symptoms that would indicate a problem, except for her fever.