Chapter 15 #2
Tanner stepped out onto the porch of Rainbow’s Edge later that afternoon carrying a suitcase she’d packed with her clothes in one hand, the duffel bag he’d brought along to pack with her stuffies, her favorite blanket, and the toiletries from the bathroom in the other.
Junie followed him, and she gave a startled yelp when the creaking screen door slammed behind her.
She’d been meaning to put WD-40 on the hinges for days now.
She’d shot out a hand to keep the screen from slamming, but the backpack she’d crammed full of coloring books, Legos, and other items she “might need” hampered her ability to turn quickly enough.
Nanabelle stood behind the now closed screen, looking out, arms wrapped tight around herself. Her eyes were filled with worry, and it was all Junie’s fault. Her Daddy had insisted that she come clean and tell Nanabelle about all the gifts she had been receiving.
He’d said she needed to know in order to be on the lookout for any danger. She hated it when he said stuff like that. Especially when he was right.
“You call me the second you need anything,” Nanabelle said. “I don’t like this one bit, but Tanner’s right. It’s safer at his ranch right now, so that’s where you belong. You hear me?”
Junie nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I hear you. I’ll be okay.”
Tanner returned to grab the backpack. He paused to give the older woman a long look. “Are you sure you don’t want to come to the ranch as well? At least until we get this whole thing sorted out? I really don’t like the thought of you being here all alone.”
Nanabelle smiled and shook her head. “That’s so sweet of you to offer, Tanner, but I’ll be just fine. And I’m not alone. I’ve got Pup here for company. You just take care of our girl.”
“I promise to do exactly that. But if you change your mind, you just give me a call. We’d love to have you.”
“I will,” Nanabelle assured him. She waggled her hands. “Go on and get home now before it gets dark. And, Junie, I expect a call from you every day, you hear me?”
“I do,” Junie said, turning to go only to turn around, yank the door open, and wrap her Nanabelle in another hug. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Be a good girl for your Daddy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Junie said, her cheeks flushing for what had to be the thousandth time today.
She dropped down to give Pup another scratch and a kiss on top of his head.
“You be good too.” When Pup yipped in response, Junie smiled and stood, slipping her hand into Tanner’s free one as they walked to the truck.
Tanner opened the passenger side door and helped Junie get in, making sure her seatbelt was secured.
The cab smelled like him, all leathery and warm and Daddy.
Tanner slid behind the wheel without a word.
He didn’t look at her. Didn’t speak. Just started the engine and pulled out onto the gravel drive.
As talkative as they’d been only moments before, once Rainbow’s Edge was out of sight, silence filled the truck like thick smoke, reminding her of the reason for the sudden move.
Tension practically radiated off Tanner’s body. When was the last time she’d seen him this upset? Tanner didn’t get angry. He’d always said it was a waste of time and energy. She hadn’t thought anyone could make him mad, but she’d managed it without even trying.
The butterflies in her stomach were having a rodeo of their own. Exactly what had he meant by her being in trouble? She hadn’t been the one giving gifts to people. Really, when you thought about it, she was the victim. Since when did the victim get punished?
Sure, she should have told Tanner that she was getting the gifts. But he was giving Preston way more credit than Preston was due. Probably. Although the chastity belt had taken it one step too far. Not to mention his suggestion to help her put it on. Something she had conveniently not told Tanner.
You would think if he were that upset about it, he would have thrown it away. Now he wanted to use it? What plans Tanner had for it, she shuddered to think.
When he’d spanked her at The Red Barn, she hadn’t sat down without thinking about it for days. But if he was going to spank her, why did he need the chastity belt? No, this felt different. He’d said the punishment should fit the crime. Yet she still had no clue.
Hopefully, whatever he had in store for her, he would wait until they were somewhere private. What if he punished her the second they got to the ranch? Without even waiting to go inside? A confusing mix of dread and heat bloomed low in her belly.
Or would he make her wait? That could be worse. She shifted in her seat. The phantom soreness from the last spanking reminded her of what his palm felt like.
Tanner’s hands flexed on the steering wheel.
He still hadn’t said a word. By the time they turned onto the long drive leading to the main ranch house, it all started to truly sink in.
He was actually moving her to Wild River Ranch.
So now they’d be sharing his home. That made it their space, at least for now.
The thought sent a fluttery mix of nerves and warmth spinning through her stomach, the kind she didn’t quite have a name for yet.
She hadn’t even seen the inside of his bedroom yet, but she was there.
Tanner had been so steady the whole time.
Like bringing her home with him was the most natural thing in the world.
His ability to handle everything was a bit overwhelming, especially when she remembered that “everything” included spanking naughty Little girls. The image of hanging over his lap while he turned her butt scarlet had her nerves stretching tighter than the strings on a ukulele.
The moment the truck rolled to a stop, Ranger, Tanner’s German Shepherd, came bounding around the corner, tail wagging so hard his whole body shook. He jumped up, paws on the door, barking a happy greeting.
His excitement had her smiling despite herself. She reached for the door latch, only to freeze when Tanner asked, “Don’t you think you’re in enough trouble already?”
Grimacing, she put her hands between her knees and waited for Tanner to open the door. Ranger immediately shoved his paws onto her lap, licking her chin like she’d been gone for years instead of days.
Well, at least someone was happy to see her. “Look at you! What a friendly guard dog you are.” She scratched behind Ranger’s ear. Maybe she should try that on Tanner.
Her heart flipped when the latest litter of fluffy Pyrenees puppies ran toward them, tumbling over each other, barking and wiggling.
A loud snort drew her attention to the holding pen.
Bullwinkle, the most massive bison on the ranch, stood like a gentle giant by the fence. This was like one massive petting zoo.
“Junie!” Kenzie came racing down the porch steps, bare feet flying. She grabbed Junie’s hand and started tugging her. “You got here just in time! The girls are having a very, very important meeting upstairs, and they cannot wait another second.”