But Tanner’s knuckles only whitened from his grip on the edge of the table. “That’s out of the question.”
Caden sighed and ran a hand through his short hair. “Look, because April and Violet were brought in by law enforcement, they’re in the system, Tanner. The only chance we have of getting this thing to work out in our favor is if we play by the rules.”
Tanner glared at Caden, about to say more, when Violet ran in through the door. “I got to play with Boo again, and I helped feed the horses, and we got them all saddled up. I want Daddy to go riding with me. Can you, Daddy, please?” Her pleading eyes focused on Tanner, and April could almost feel all the tension in his body fade away as a huge smile split his face. That was the first time she’d called him ‘Daddy,’ and April didn’t miss how affected he was by it.
“I’d love to, Darlin’.” Tanner stood and followed her to the door, then turned back to Caden. “I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. April can give you whatever you need to run the test. As for that other thing you said, find another way. Now, I’m going riding with my daughter.”
April couldn’t hold back her own smile. Violet had called Tanner ‘Daddy.’ She’d never called Ned anything but by his name. “Have fun,” April called after them, then turned back to Caden. “You can’t imagine how happy it makes me that Tanner is her father. She finally has a chance at a normal and happy life.”
Caden sighed, setting his mug down. “You did good, April. You did good. Even under the circumstances she was raised, that is one happy and well-adjusted little girl. I don’t think that would’ve happened if it hadn’t been for you and all your hard work with her.”
April appreciated the kind words, but more than anything she just wanted all this to be over, and to know without a doubt that her sister’s little girl was finally going to be safe and happy. “Thanks,” she said. “Would you like to join us for some horseback riding?”
“No, I need to get to the office, but first, let me follow you over to Tanner’s place so I can collect their DNA. I also stopped by your apartment last night and picked up some of your things. I grabbed what I could, and I know Hallie is already organizing the women to make a trip out here. They’re planning to bring more stuff for you and Violet.”
“Thank you. And that’s very kind of them.”
Caden nodded. “You’re family now, April. Both you and Violet.”
April wasn’t sure how to respond. It had been a long time since she’d felt like she was part of a family. With Casey gone and her mom all but gone, too, she’d often felt like she was all alone in the world. Just her and Violet. She didn’t even realize how lonely she’d been until after meeting Tanner, and then his friends, and now his family. She loved that Violet had all these people to love and protect her, and she selfishly hoped they saved a little of all that love for her, too.
Half an hour later, Caden had gotten what he needed, and dropped off several bags of her things, including her old laptop. It seemed like years had passed since she’d last seen it, and not just barely a day. She stared at it for a long moment before turning it on and connecting to Tanner’s Wi-Fi. She had a hunch about something that she’d put off looking into, but now with Violet safe and having fun with Tanner, April knew it was time.
She pulled up a new browser window and typed a name into the search bar: Stephanie Sinclair. Thousands of hits opened. April clicked on the first few. Two of them were old news stories, giving details about the girl’s injuries and the conditions under which she was found. Another link was to an old website that looked like it belonged to a research lab, but Stephanie’s name only appeared once on it, and April didn’t think it was the same Stephanie. Then she input the other name that had been on her mind lately. Lana Murphy.
Thousands of other links popped up in the search. April clicked on the first few. The news articles were sad and informative, but none of them offered any details that the public didn’t already know. She’d have to ask Tanner about it later, but if her intuition was right, then April knew exactly who was behind those girls’ kidnappings and murders.
April closed her laptop and headed back outside. Still lost in thought, she almost missed Tanner and Violet riding atop the biggest horse she’d ever seen in her life. Violet sat in front, nestled between Tanner’s legs, her back to his front, and his arms guarding her on either side, no doubt so she wouldn’t fall. Violet waved to her and she waved back with a big smile. But it was the heat in Tanner’s blue eyes that licked over her skin like a blaze, warming her from the inside out.
April swallowed hard, imagining his big, tan arms being wrapped aroundher, then tipped her head back, catching a light breeze in her hair. If he was going to look at her likethat, shewould happily give him something to look at. To her satisfaction, it worked instantly. His eyes darkened and his smile faded into an expression she couldn’t quite read.
But she definitely wanted to see more of it. And more ofhim.
Chapter 21
Later that night, April sat at the kitchen table in Tanner’s house with a cup of tea. She’d finally gotten the chance to call Zara earlier in the evening and tell her about how they’d escaped DynaTech. Zara was of course both excited and terrified for them. But to Zara’s credit, she wasn’t the least bit surprised when April told her how well Tanner took the news of Violet being his daughter.
“I’m so glad you finally told him. I haven’t met the man yet, but from everything you’ve told me, I don’t think he’ll ever let anything happen to that little girl, or to you, ever again.”
Zara’s words echoed in April’s mind even now, because she knew her best friend was right. April’s heart was so full after watching Violet have an amazing day with her dad and his family; riding horses, playing with Boo, watching a movie with Sienna, and exploring the grounds. All April ever wanted was to reunite father and daughter, and today had proven to be everything she’d hoped for her niece, and then some. But thoughts of her failed internet search continued to nag at her, and she didn’t want to put off talking to Tanner about it any longer. Now that he knew about Violet’s abilities, she could be more open with him about her suspicions.
Tanner came in through the back door, wearing jeans that perfectly hugged his ass, and a navy-blue t-shirt, both of whichhighlighted every single one of his toned muscle groups: his strong arms that held Violet up on that gigantic horse; those perfect abs that felt like a solid wall against her much softer core; those thick, muscular thighs he’d developed from running. He was hard and strong in all the right places, making her crave the strength and security he offered. “The house is too quiet,” he said, unceremoniously.
“Don’t you live alone?” April mused and finished the last of her tea.
Tanner sighed. “I did, but after a day of listening to my daughter’s voice and giggles, I’m addicted. I want more.”
April smiled. “Then why did you convince her to have a sleepover at the main house with Sienna?”
Tanner looked mockingly shocked. “You think that was me? Nope, that was all Sienna. My niece can be very persuasive when she wants to have a Barbie themed sleepover complete with pink hot cocoa.”
April smiled, standing to put her cup in the dishwasher. “That does sound like something Violet would love. I guess it wouldn’t take much convincing on Sienna’s part.”
“Not much at all. Though I am kind of regretting letting her go so soon. How about you?”
April understood exactly where Tanner was coming from, but for her, it was more complicated than just missing her niece. “I never want to be away from her. I’m honestly surprised she agreed to spend the night away from me after hardly letting me out of her sight since we got here. I think it’s a testament to how much she trusts you to make sure Ned can’t come and take her away from me. As for her having a sleepover, I know she’s safe and happy. She’s finally doing everything she never got to do with Ned. I’ll never deny her anything if I can help it. How was your ride with her, by the way? I never got to ask you earlier.” After their riding lesson, Tanner had to take a work call, andApril had busied herself with the kids, helped Pam make lunch, and then went on a hike around the property with Violet and Sienna. It was good exercise and the girls had a lot of fun using their imaginations to look for fairy hiding places.
“Not long enough,” Tanner admitted. “I love her so damn much already. I can’t imagine her not being in my life. She’s incredible.”
