Page 207 of Daddy's Naughty List

“He does. Thank you for inviting me over,” Melissa said politely and added, “Can I bring Rwahr Rwahr inside?” as Rocky handed her the stuffie.

“Of course, Rwahr Rwahr is invited. Let’s go introduce him to my Daddy and then we can decide what we want to do,” Zoey suggested.

As if on cue, Dr. Richards walked out the big door and called his hellos. He shook hands with Rocky and held a palm out for Melissa. “Give me a gentle high- five if your arm is better.”

She grinned and followed his instructions. “It feels better every day.”

“I’m glad,” the doctor said with a kind smile. “Come in. Zoey thought you might like to play in her nursery, but there are swings out back and so many toys.”

Melissa looked at Zoey, who not subtly at all signaled she should choose the number-one choice by raising her index fingers on both hands and waving them over her head. “I think I’ll take nursery.”

“Yes!” Zoey took Melissa’s left hand, obviously remembering which arm was recovering.

“No skates,” Dr. Richards warned.

“Of course not, Daddy. We’ll wait until Melissa’s arm is completely healed before we zip around like the wind,” Zoey promised.

“No zipping,” Dr. Richards clarified.

“Promise,” Zoey said, crossing her fingers behind her back so only Melissa could see.

Melissa tried really hard to keep her face composed so she didn’t give away Zoey’s sneakiness.

“Be good, Lissy,” Rocky warned her. He knew her too well.

“Yes… yes, Daddy,” Melissa answered, using the name she always called him at home now.

Zoey tugged her hand gently and Melissa followed with her lion stuffie in her arms.

“Do you go by Lissy, or is that something only your Daddy calls you?” Zoey asked as they walked down the hall.

“You can call me Lissy. It’s great for people I trust.”

“Thank you for putting me in that group. It’s really hard when you’re newly Little to share yourself with others,” Zoey said, knowingly. “Do you like to color?”

“I love it.”

“Come sit down at the table. I’ll get the colors and the books. Crayons or colored pencils?”

“Crayons,” Melissa answered.

“Ah. A purist. I love it.”

A few minutes later, an assortment of different types of coloring books decorated the table, along with what Melissa guessed was every possible shade of crayons. Choosing was difficult.

“Was letting people know you were Little tough for you?” Melissa asked.

“Oh, yeah. But I lived here with Dr. Richards. I had come here to apply for a job,” Zoey explained. “It was just me and him. Well, with Jillian and Paul. They work for Dr. Richards. I was super embarrassed for a while. Now, they’re my family.”

“That’s nice. Did you get the job?” Melissa asked.

“I got an even better job than the one I thought I was applying for. I’m Dr. Richards’ Little girl. Mostly, I love him and try to help everyone feel as comfortable here as possible. I’ve gotten to know so many amazing people—like you.”

“I work for Tami. Do you know her?”

“I love Tami. What a fun job! You get to hang out with dogs. Oh! Is that how you got hurt?” Zoey asked, horrified.

“It wasn’t the dog’s fault. A kid hit him, and he reacted.”

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