Tabitha's Guardian Read Online Free Page A

that her
enhancements looked as they should. She made her way downstairs,
avoiding Glory's bedroom. Tabitha hoped she would not come into the
kitchen either.
    Tabitha served her parent his lunch in his
bedroom, and was pleased to see how much he enjoyed the simple
fare. “I will gladly fix your supper, Daddy. You know how much I
enjoy cooking.”
    “Yes, I do. Glory does not have your light
touch with spices and herbs. I feel that is why my stomach feels
like I have been drinking acid. Please do not tell her I said that.
I have already had one contention with her today. She thinks I
coddle you far too much. I do not believe you are one bit spoiled,
darling.”
    “Thank you, Daddy. I will take over the
kitchen until you hire a cook, if that is what you wish me to do. I
do not mind taking over the duty as my own.”
    “It would cause difficulty between you and
your stepmother, child, and I would not have that. Please try to
behave now and do or say nothing to antagonize her. I think my
illness has been grueling on her since we are so newly
married.”
    “I will try to behave, Daddy,” she promised,
and then took his tray and left the room. She found Guardian Owen
eating his lunch by himself at the kitchen table. “Did that woman
abandon you, Guardian Owen? If I had known she would be so rude, I
would have invited you to join my father and me in his
bedroom.”
    “Does your father seem better than earlier
this morning?” Owen asked.
    “No. He is very weak. I wish I could find
whatever it is she is adding to his food to make him ill. At least
she will not find it so easy now to poison him. Hiring a cook and
serving meals family style will make it more difficult for her to
kill him.”
    “Why would she do such a thing?”
    “My father is very wealthy, Guardian Owen.
Until I am twenty-five, or married, I cannot inherit. Control of
his accounts would go to that woman. Is that not reason enough to
murder a man you have vowed to love?” Tabitha was very angry. “Why
is it that Daddy cannot see through her?” she asked Owen.
    “If what you say is true, there is no
evidence, and without substantial proof, you cannot go around
saying that in public.”
    “I am aware of this, Guardian Owen. Please
help me keep an eye on her. I do not trust her, and I love my
father more than anything in the world.” Her eyes filled with tears
and she hurriedly busied herself with cleaning the kitchen. When
she was finished, she said, “Would you please excuse me, Guardian
Owen. I need some time alone.”
    “Where are you going to be alone?” he asked
her, conscious to his duty.
    “My bedroom. I immerse myself in my sewing
when I am upset.”
    “That is acceptable,” he assured her, and
watched as she hurried from the kitchen.
     
    * * * * *
     
    The next few days passed in much the same
manner, and Guardian Owen was impressed as his ward took over the
kitchen and the cleaning of the household, while studiously
ignoring her stepmother. Glory spent her time sulking and pouting
in her room, even though he had heard her raising her voice to
Jenson on several occasions. He would not tolerate that from his
wife. He despised shrewish behavior, and he had not witnessed
anything improper from Tabitha. The only question that Owen had was
how long it would be before Jenson realized he was staying in the
household and asked him why. He would have no choice but to tell
the truth.
    It was a few days after his arrival when Owen
heard female voices elevated in anger.
    “You just had to upset your father, did you
not?” the older woman hissed as she reached the bottom of the
steps. Tabitha was on her way to the kitchen to start dinner.
    “The only one who upset him is you! Why do
you persist in staying where you are not wanted?”
    “Your father loves me!” Glory insisted.
    “He is in love with the falsehood you
present to him. He would not care for you at all if he really knew
you.”
    “You are rude!” Glory screamed at
Tabitha.
    “You