“Thanks, Dad,” Tanner said.
“On it,” Faith replied, already heading up the stairs.
“We don’t want to impose,” April started to say, but Peter just waved her off.
“You’re family, Honey. There’s no imposition. We’re just glad you’re here.”
“Thanks,” April said, but Peter had already stepped out and shut the door behind him.
Tanner pulled April aside, just out of view of his mom and the girls, and covered her mouth with his. She melted into him, making him wish he could sneak her away into one of those guest rooms right now. But Wilder was waiting for him, and Doc needed to be locked up before he killed again. “I’ll be back beforeyou know it. And don’t worry about the storm. Like I said, this old house can handle anything mother nature throws at it.”
April nodded and added with a smile, “Don’t worry. I’ll be so busy with your family; I’ll hardly notice you’re not here.”
Tanner snuck in another kiss because he hated leaving her, and sensed her worrying about him going out in this storm, no matter what she said. But he had a job to do and he wanted to be there when Doc was arrested. The Feds might have taken over the case, but Tanner was going to be the one to close it. He just couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of Doc sooner. The guy might’ve played nice helping them out with Violet, but that wasn’t going to get him out of three murders.
“Of course,” April said, walking with him to the door. Violet and Sienna had already climbed up onto the bar stools at the large kitchen island and were digging their fingers into the small mound of flour Pam had poured out onto the counter for them.
“How long do you think you’ll be out?” Pam asked as Tanner slipped on his boots and put on his gear.
“Not sure. I’ll call you when I’m headed back, see if I need to pick up any supplies.”
“Sounds good, Honey. Just stay safe out there.”
“Always.” He pressed a kiss to April’s forehead before slipping out the door into the pouring rain. He wasn’t worried about the storm. And he had no doubt that April and Violet would be just fine surrounded by his family. He spotted one of the guards his father hired as he drove out of the gate, and waved to him in greeting. The man nodded and waved back.
His family was finally safe and all together. Exactly the way it was supposed to be. Violet was his daughter. The thought still baffled him, and filled him with joy and panic in equal measure. He knew next to nothing about being a dad, let alone being a girl dad.
He’d probably make a lot of mistakes in the coming days and years, but the one thing he’d never do is fail to keep her safe. And getting a guy like Doc off the streets was his first and only priority right now.
Chapter 25
April had been so deep in her own thoughts that she nearly jumped out of her skin when Pam said, “you’re awfully quiet. We thought you were happy about the news.”
April smiled at the woman. “I couldn’t be happier about Violet being Tanner’s daughter. She finally has a chance at a real and happy life. I’m just worried about Ned. He’s always been the kind of man who gets the last word. I just can’t see him caring, much less accepting, the test result or -”
“Let’s deal with one storm at a time. Ned has been blissfully quiet the last few days. Maybe he’s realizing that going up against the Rhodes family is never a good idea.”
“Oh? Is there something I should know?” April asked.
Pam smiled while putting the cake in the oven. “Peter is no Ned Dynam, but he holds his own. We have very deep ties to this community, and there are a lot of powerful people who owe Peter a lot of favors. All you need to know is that you’re safe. Violet’s safe. And we’re all going to be just fine.”
April nodded. Pam was right. There was no sense worrying about something that hadn’t even happened yet. “You’re right. One thing at a time. You have a generator to check on, and I have candles and flashlights to round up with Faith.”
Half an hour later, April joined Sienna and Violet in the living room, while Pam stayed behind to keep an eye on the cake andfinish cleaning up the kitchen. Sienna wanted to have a make-believe tea party, so Faith joined the girls on the floor where they proceeded to drink their pretend tea and eat their pretend treats while a movie played in the background.
Being around Tanner’s family always gave April a slight feeling of longing. Growing up, it had always just been her and her mom, and they would watch those Hallmark Channel movies depicting large happy families. Her mom never said anything, but April knew they both secretly wished for a big family of their own. Now that April had it, she only wished her mom could be here to share it with her.
When the movie ended, the girls were still busy with their tea party, but Faith looked around with a concerned expression.
“What is it?” April asked.
“I didn’t hear Dad come back in, did you?”
“No, though I was watching the movie so I could’ve missed him.” April had honestly spent most of the time thinking about and missing her mom, but that was neither here nor there.
“No, I didn’t see him come in either, and now I’m starting to get worried,” Pam said. “Maybe I should go check on him. See if there’s anything we can do to help the mare along.” She was already moving toward the hall closet. “You two stay with the girls. I’ve got my phone on me. I’ll call if we need something.”
April knew next to nothing about horses or how long their labor lasted, but she hated the idea of Tanner’s parents being out in this weather. “Be careful,” she pleaded, a strange feeling of dread creeping into her belly.
