Page 47 of His Sassy Little

“And telling you that I can move around some!” Arabella really was excited for that bit of the appointment.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

“Okay, fine. But you’ll hold onto my arm for support and if it hurts too much, you’ll tell me.” There was nothing in Tanner’s voice that would make Arabella assume his words were a request. It was pure demand. He didn’t like this. He didn’t want her moving around too much and possibly hurting herself. They’d spent the whole ride to the doctor’s office discussing this and Arabella wasn’t backing down at all. He knew she’d been frustrated with her inactivity, but he wasn’t about to see her get hurt on his watch again.

Tanner was exhausted. He hadn’t slept well since Arabella had been taken. Every time he would begin to sleep well, he’d jerk awake and have to check that she was there and safe. He needed to get ahold of Stone and see if the man could offer some advice. The other man’s woman had been in danger and he had likely dealt with something similar. Sure, his woman hadn’t been taken while he was in the room fucking sleeping, but Stone might be able to help. Tanner wasn’t too proud to admit he needed it.

Tanner lifted Arabella from her seat in the car and set her on her feet. He kept an eagle eye on her as she started to walk. She walked slowly and with care, but not in a way that said it was too much for her.

It’s only a few yards to the waiting room. She’ll be fine.

He was doing his best to convince himself, and deep inside, he already knew it but his guilt was too close to the surface for logic to exist there. He kept pace and made sure he was touching her the whole time. It made him feel somewhat better.

“The incision looks good. We’ll get the stitches out today. Doesn’t look like there will be too much scarring either, so that’s a good thing.” The doctor was poking and prodding around the wound and Tanner could see the pain in Arabella’s features but she didn’t say a word as the doctor worked. “I’ll be back in a minute with the stuff to remove the stitches.”

When the doctor had exited, Tanner took Arabella’s hand. “How’re you doing, Little Hurricane?”

“I’m okay.”

Her words said one thing but her pale face and the sweat beading on her brow said something else entirely. Tanner wanted to take all of her pain away, she didn’t deserve this. He’d take the pain from her if he could.

“Okay, let’s get these stitches out. I bet you’re more than ready for a proper shower.”

“I really am.” Arabella smiled but it wasn’t her normal sunny, sassy smirk. Tanner wondered if there was something more going on in her head.

“Just lay back, it shouldn’t hurt, though you may notice a very slight burn as each stitch comes out.”

Arabella did as the doctor ordered. As he removed the stitches, she asked, “So this means I can start moving around more, right?”

“You’ll be able to move more. In fact, I even encourage it. Just pay attention to your body. If it feels like it’s becoming too much, then slow down and rest. You’ll still need a lot more rest than normal as your body heals. Also, no lifting or anything too strenuous.”

Arabella groaned and Tanner knew that wasn’t the response she’d hoped for. It was an improvement for her but she’d still need rest and Arabella was normally always on the move. Sitting still didn’t suit her.

Arabella was sweating by the time Tanner got the door to their house open. She’d asked to stop for hamburgers on the way home and Tanner had relented, but now he was wondering if it had been too much. She was moving too slow and with great care. Each step probably hurt and he was tempted to pick her up and put her in bed. He decided to give her the chance to ask first.

When Arabella turned to him and lifted her arms, he’d never been more proud of his Little Hurricane for asking for what she needed. He lifted her up in his arms and asked, “Couch or bed, Baby?”

“Bed, Daddy. I needs a nap and Mister Fluffington.”

That was the youngest Arabella had ever sounded. Tanner wondered if it was the pain and tiredness, or if she was just becoming more comfortable. He hoped it was the latter.

Tanner carried Arabella into the bedroom and tucked her in snug as a bug with her stuffy held close to her chest. She was asleep before he had even finished and to Tanner’s surprise, she’d tucked her thumb into her mouth as she slept.

While Tanner rummaged in the kitchen, gathering ingredients for a special dinner for Arabella, he phoned Stone.

“Hey, man. Are you available for a talk sometime soon?” Tanner pulled out some chicken breast and the spices he’d need to blacken it.

“Sure, anything you need? Just let me know when.” Tanner could hear the kids screaming in the background and Sapphire yelling, “Queen of the dragons!” It was almost loud enough to drown out Stone’s voice.

“As soon as you can. I’m having trouble sleeping and need someone to offer some insight and advice.” He got out the heavy cream and parmesan, setting them aside on the counter for later use.

“I can be there in twenty minutes.”

“Thanks, man.” He gathered all the vegetables and got to work on the salad before fetching the fettuccine noodles.

As Tanner worked, he thought about how he could explain to Stone what he needed, and made another call to check on the progress of what Arabella needed.

Chapter Forty

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