I’ll draw her newborn screening blood tests today. That will check for many of the things I’ve mentioned and more. Do you want me to draw blood for DNA matching, as well?”
Nodding, Nick said, “You read my mind. If someone shows up claiming to be her parent or grandparent, I want to make sure they are related before I release her.”
Miriam said, “The mother’s note did say she would be back for Hannah, but she also said it wasn’t safe to have the baby with her. Can you think of anyone in a situation like that?”
The doctor rubbed the back of his neck. “I honestly can’t.”
Miriam laid a hand on his arm. “I know the Amish are reluctant to go to outsiders with their problems, Doctor. If you hear of anyone in a difficult situation, please let us know.”
Dr. Zook stared at her hand. She withdrew it hoping she hadn’t made a mistake.
He looked into her eyes and said, “I do understand the reluctance of the Amish to become involved with Social Services and the legal system in general. They have not always been treated fairly. I respect the way they take care of each other. I deeply admire their faith in God. I will let you know if I hear of anything like this.”
Miriam blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“Not at all.” He was actually blushing.
Nick gave Miriam a funny look, then said, “Thanks, Doc.”
“I’ll draw some blood for those tests and I’ll have Amber follow up with this little girl just as she would one of her home deliveries. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. Day or night.”
He took a card from his pocket and scrawled a number on it. He handed it to Miriam. “This is my personal cell phone. Don’t hesitate to use it.”
She smiled at him. “I won’t hesitate for a minute.”
“Is there anything else?”
Miriam said, “She’s very fussy, Doctor, especially after she eats. I’m wondering if I should switch her to a soy-based formula.”
“You can certainly try that, but don’t make an abrupt switch. Mix the two together a few times until you gradually have all soy in her bottles.”
“All right. We’ll try that.”
“Fine. I’d like to see her again in two weeks. Sooner, if you have any concerns,” he added.
* * *
When the appointment ended, Nick scooped up Hannah’s carrier and held the door open for the doctor and Miriam to go out ahead of him. Outside the clinic, he handed the baby over to Miriam. She opened her rear car door and leaned in to secure the carrier.
He knew he shouldn’t say anything, but as usual, his good sense went missing where Miriam was concerned. “Doctor Zook seems quite taken with you.”
She popped up to gape at him. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“Nothing. It was a simple observation. I assume he isn’t married?”
“No, he isn’t, and I’m sure that is none of your business.”
He liked the way her eyes snapped when she was angry. If only her anger wasn’t always directed at him. He took a step back and raised his hands. “Don’t get all huffy.”
“I have every right to get huffy. What if I suggested Wilma had a crush on you?”
“Since she is old enough to be my grandmother, I’d say that would be weird.”
“There’s no talking to you. Now that you’ve been reassured Hannah is in good health, please go away. The less I see of you the better.”
He hid how much her words hurt and gave her an offhand salute. “As you wish.”
She rolled her eyes and turned her back on him to finish fastening Hannah’s car seat. She struggled to get the last buckle fastened.
He didn’t want to leave on a sour note, but he knew when he was butting his head against a brick wall where she was concerned. In spite of his best intentions, he couldn’t help making one parting comment. “That chip on your shoulder isn’t doing you any good, you know.”
She backed out of the car with a growl of exasperation. He nudged her aside, leaned in and deftly secured the baby.
Nodding, Nick said, “You read my mind. If someone shows up claiming to be her parent or grandparent, I want to make sure they are related before I release her.”
Miriam said, “The mother’s note did say she would be back for Hannah, but she also said it wasn’t safe to have the baby with her. Can you think of anyone in a situation like that?”
The doctor rubbed the back of his neck. “I honestly can’t.”
Miriam laid a hand on his arm. “I know the Amish are reluctant to go to outsiders with their problems, Doctor. If you hear of anyone in a difficult situation, please let us know.”
Dr. Zook stared at her hand. She withdrew it hoping she hadn’t made a mistake.
He looked into her eyes and said, “I do understand the reluctance of the Amish to become involved with Social Services and the legal system in general. They have not always been treated fairly. I respect the way they take care of each other. I deeply admire their faith in God. I will let you know if I hear of anything like this.”
Miriam blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“Not at all.” He was actually blushing.
Nick gave Miriam a funny look, then said, “Thanks, Doc.”
“I’ll draw some blood for those tests and I’ll have Amber follow up with this little girl just as she would one of her home deliveries. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. Day or night.”
He took a card from his pocket and scrawled a number on it. He handed it to Miriam. “This is my personal cell phone. Don’t hesitate to use it.”
She smiled at him. “I won’t hesitate for a minute.”
“Is there anything else?”
Miriam said, “She’s very fussy, Doctor, especially after she eats. I’m wondering if I should switch her to a soy-based formula.”
“You can certainly try that, but don’t make an abrupt switch. Mix the two together a few times until you gradually have all soy in her bottles.”
“All right. We’ll try that.”
“Fine. I’d like to see her again in two weeks. Sooner, if you have any concerns,” he added.
* * *
When the appointment ended, Nick scooped up Hannah’s carrier and held the door open for the doctor and Miriam to go out ahead of him. Outside the clinic, he handed the baby over to Miriam. She opened her rear car door and leaned in to secure the carrier.
He knew he shouldn’t say anything, but as usual, his good sense went missing where Miriam was concerned. “Doctor Zook seems quite taken with you.”
She popped up to gape at him. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“Nothing. It was a simple observation. I assume he isn’t married?”
“No, he isn’t, and I’m sure that is none of your business.”
He liked the way her eyes snapped when she was angry. If only her anger wasn’t always directed at him. He took a step back and raised his hands. “Don’t get all huffy.”
“I have every right to get huffy. What if I suggested Wilma had a crush on you?”
“Since she is old enough to be my grandmother, I’d say that would be weird.”
“There’s no talking to you. Now that you’ve been reassured Hannah is in good health, please go away. The less I see of you the better.”
He hid how much her words hurt and gave her an offhand salute. “As you wish.”
She rolled her eyes and turned her back on him to finish fastening Hannah’s car seat. She struggled to get the last buckle fastened.
He didn’t want to leave on a sour note, but he knew when he was butting his head against a brick wall where she was concerned. In spite of his best intentions, he couldn’t help making one parting comment. “That chip on your shoulder isn’t doing you any good, you know.”
She backed out of the car with a growl of exasperation. He nudged her aside, leaned in and deftly secured the baby.
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