Page 50 of His Sassy Little

Tanner hadn’t realized Arabella knew how bad it was. He also hadn’t realized how worried she’d been. It had to be a lot for her to call in Rocky. She’d made the right call because Rocky and Stone were the only two that he would trust implicitly with his girl’s safety.

“Thanks, man. I’ll take you up on it.” He said as he made his way back to bed. He did make the rounds ensuring every door and window was locked tight but once his head hit the pillow, he went out like a light.

It was evening before Tanner stirred again when the doorbell woke him for a second time that day. Knowing Rocky would handle it, he headed for the restroom before making his way out to the main part of the house.

When he emerged, he found Ham in the living room holding another large envelope and explaining to Arabella, “It’s official. You are legally and rightfully Arabella LeeAnne Wright. Here are your new documents. You’ll have to get your driver’s license changed but everything you need is included in the envelope.”

Arabella jumped up from the couch with a groan from the sudden movement, but the pain didn’t stop her from hugging Ham and thanking him profusely. The big man tried his best to hug her back without hurting her further, but Arabella had no such concerns and squeezed him too hard.

“Ow, ouch, owie!” Arabella exclaimed, “who knew hugging could hurt?”

“Fractured ribs will do that to you, Little Hurricane.” Tanner made his way fully into the living room.

“Daddy! You’re awake!” Arabella started to rush toward him.

“Go slow, Baby. You don’t want to hurt yourself more.” Once she’d carefully made her way to him, she raised her hands and he easily picked her up.

“I’m officially Arabella, Daddy!”

“I heard. I’m so happy for you, Baby.”

Arabella placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “How did you sleep? Did you get good rest?”

“I did, Little Hurricane.” He tucked a strand of fly away hair behind her ear, “How was your day with Rocky?”

As Arabella went on about dragon wars and hair braiding and beating Rocky in the coloring contest, he felt content. That worry was still there but as his Little girl bubbled and chattered away, it was more of a distant worry.

Sometime during their chat, both Rocky and Ham discreetly made their way out. He found himself alone with his girl and he wanted to pamper her.

“Right, time for a bath to soak those owies away, then pajamas and pain meds and cartoons in bed. How does that sound, Little Hurricane.” He started heading for their bedroom and the attached bathroom.

“That sounds perfectly perfect, Daddy.”

“You’ll have to take the driving test, I’m afraid.” The lady at the DMV was very considerate as she broke the news to his girl. He seemed to be the one most worried, though.

“Oh, well that won’t be a problem. When can I get scheduled for that?” Arabella sounded carefree and happy. As glad as he was for that, he was worried. He hadn’t been able to let her out of his sight since she’d been rescued from the shit stain.

“How about a week from tomorrow?”

“Perfect!”

“Can she have passengers during the test?” He felt stupid asking but he needed to know.

“I’m afraid not, sir. It can only be her and the tester.”

He’d been afraid of that. How was he going to do this?

Chapter Forty-Two

“James is in jail. What do you think will happen to me?” Arabella was frustrated at Tanner’s announcement.

“Anything could happen. Someone could hit the car. There could be someone loyal to James determined to finish the job. There could be a carjacking.” Tanner’s voice conveyed more worry with each thing he listed. “I just want to be sure nothing happens, or if it does, I’ll know and be able to help right away.”

“So your solution is to follow me while I take this test?” Arabella threw out her arms in frustration.

They were standing outside the DMV and she was scheduled to take her test in fifteen minutes. As they drove here, Tanner had explained his plan, one Arabella found just a tad crazy, but she also couldn’t help the warm feeling that his concern caused. She knew he loved her and didn’t want to lose her.

Tanner’s guilt was still an issue, no matter how much Arabella told him it wasn’t his fault, he still believed it was. Tanner couldn’t have known that James would somehow get the security code and break in. He wasn’t responsible for the conk to his head. James’ actions were solely on him but Tanner wouldn’t take that to heart.

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