Tabitha's Guardian by Blushing Books Page B

fondly.
“I told Janice that I would give you five more minutes before I
went upstairs to see if you were sleeping.”
    “We were unpacking, Daddy, and that task is
all finished. We had plenty of space for Owen’s belongings.”
    “Sir, thank you for all the work you put in
to help Tabby prepare our room. I appreciate that we have our own
sitting room and entertainment area upstairs in our bedroom.”
    “We thought it best to give Tabby more space
for her sewing; I am glad you like everything, son. Welcome home.”
He shook Owen’s hand, and then hugged him, patting him on the back.
“I still want to hear about your honeymoon.”
    “There is a lot to tell,” Tabitha assured
her father, wondering why Janice was so quiet. “Aunt Janice, you
would have loved the islands, I am positive. The beach was
splendid.”
    “Where did you stay?” Janice asked, and was
impressed when Tabby answered. “It sounds as though you saved a
pretty penny in order to take such a fabulous trip, Owen.”
    “I saved most of my earnings as a guardian,
Janice, and who better to spend it on other than my new bride? The
islands were a place that both of us expressed a desire to visit,
and we shall have wonderful memories to share for all of our
married life together.”
    “And one not so nice memory,” Tabitha
reminded him.
    “It is behind us now, my love,” Owen was
quick to assure her. “It is not something you need to share if you
do not wish to discuss the matter.”
    “I want to tell Daddy and Aunt Janice how
you saved me from harm, husband. I am proud of you for your
actions.”
    “Tell us what happened, Tabby,” Jenson urged,
a worried look on his face.
    “We were on a tour, Daddy, and apparently
the tour guide instructed all of us to remain with the group when
we stopped at this particular historical site, but I was pouting
over something Owen said earlier, and I did not hear the guide’s
warning. Owen was caught up in discussion with another gentleman on
the tour, and I slipped off to be alone for a few moments. Two men
attempted to abduct me. I screamed for Owen, and he came running,
and he protected me.”
    “Tabby did well protecting herself, Jenson,
before I could reach her. I am thankful you insisted she learn
self-defense. She learned her lessons well.” He could see that
Jenson was still concerned. “She was not harmed, sir, just badly
frightened.”
    “Daughter, it was not safe for you to wander
so far from the group.”
    “I know, Daddy, and you may be sure that I
have learned my lesson thoroughly.”
    “I certainly hope so, Tabby.”
    Owen could see that Jenson was biting his
tongue to keep from saying more, and he was certain that his
father-in-law would have questions for him when they were alone.
Thankfully, Janice asked about the flowers and plants growing on
the islands, and gave them something else to discuss while they
were waiting for dinner to be served.
    They were finally asked to come to the
dining room by the new cook the agency had sent to fill the void
after Charla left. The meal was acceptable, but Owen preferred his
wife’s cooking. He could see that no one was asking for another
serving of anything, and were, in fact, leaving food on their
plates. No, the new cook was not as good as Tabby.
    “If we are all finished with our meal, I
would like to talk to you in the gathering room for a few minutes,
unless you have other plans this evening, Owen?”
    “No, sir. We are happy to serve you,” Owen
replied, pulling out Tabby’s chair for her to rise.
    “Good.” Jenson asked the cook to bring their
coffee to the other room, and the man quickly agreed. Jenson made
small talk while they waited for their coffee, and then he told the
cook to go on home. They would help themselves. The man nodded, and
within minutes he was gone.
    “Daddy, I do not wish to overstep my bounds,
but I would ask you to consider letting go of the cook the agency
sent. He is really not that good. The food he prepared