Tabitha's Guardian by Blushing Books Page A

are extremely feisty. While I like that very much,
I must know that you are safe. You are too important to me to
permit you to put yourself at risk. If I must continue to make your
bottom smart to impress this upon you, then I shall continue as
long as necessary.”
    “I will heed your concerns, Jenson,” Janice
said, her voice full of meekness, which was not normal for her. “I
am not used to anyone having concern for me, and I reacted badly.
Please forgive me?”
    Jenson lifted her to sit upon his lap. “Of
course you are forgiven, my sweet lady.”
    “Oh, Jenson, what are we to tell Tabby and
Owen?”
    “The truth, my dear.”
    * * * * *
    Tabitha looked at Owen and asked, “Husband,
why did you drag me from my father’s study? I wanted to help!”
    “Your father needed to speak firmly to your
aunt, and it will be less embarrassing for her if there are no
witnesses.”
    “No witnesses?” Tabitha looked at Owen
questioningly.
    “Your father was about to give Janice a
spanking,” Owen explained, and he was prepared when his own feisty
redhead turned to run to the door and downstairs. “No, my love,
your presence is not required at the moment. You need to stay out
of their personal issues.”
    “I cannot do that! Daddy will anger Aunt
Janice, and I could tell that he is in love with her… and she with
him. Let me go, Owen, before Daddy ruins everything!”
    “A man has to be head of his house, wife. It
is time for you to settle down and tend to unpacking our baggage
before I find it necessary to settle you with a spanking.”
    Tabitha could hear the firmness in Owen’s
voice, and it reminded her of when he was her guardian. The man
knew how to be intimidating, but she felt he was wrong in this
instance. “Owen, I believe I am a better judge of the situation
than you are. This is my father and my aunt, and I know both of
them very well, and I think that I should try to help them before
the situation deteriorates. Please, darling, try to see this my
way.”
    “The matter is between Jenson and Janice and
my Tabby does not need to help. They are both adults, and if I were
your parent, I would haul Janice over my knee and give her a good
reason to obey me and accept my concerns for her safety as
viable.”
    “But, Aunt Janice will be mortified!” Tabby
gasped, indignant for the other woman.
    “She will also feel loved.” Owen seemed so
sure of himself and Tabitha realized that she was not going to sway
him. Reluctantly, she turned her attention to the luggage her
husband had carried upstairs. She had many new items to unpack as
well as the new clothing she had made for her trousseau. There were
also Owen’s things to unpack. Thankfully, she had anticipated this
and had already procured space to help make the bedroom his as well
as hers.
    “I just noticed that your sewing area is no
longer here!” Owen said in surprise.
    “Daddy and I came up with the idea to move
my sewing area elsewhere, so we could make this bedroom more
appropriate for us. Do you approve?” she asked, smiling at him.
    “Yes. We have our own private sitting area
now, and you have added storage for my clothing and belongings.
Thank you, Tabby,” he said, pulling her close and kissing her
tenderly. “I am a fortunate man.”
    “It is I who is fortunate, husband. You knew
that it would be difficult for me to leave Daddy living here all
alone, and when he asked you to consider living here, you accepted.
Daddy and I want you to have no regrets about that decision.”
    “I would have my wife happy, Tabitha Rose.
This home is large enough that it will be no hardship to live here.
And, when it is necessary for me to go out on an emergency call at
night, you will not be alone. This pleases me.”
    “And me,” she agreed. She stood on tiptoe to
kiss him. The kissing led to other things, and unpacking took quite
a while.
    It was nearly time for dinner when Owen
agreed they could go downstairs.
    “There you are!” Jenson greeted them