Chapter 11 #4
All the guys stopped in their tracks and Caden visibly sighed. He jogged up the steps and wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll try anything you make, Hales,” he said, then shot Blake a glance that made April sit up straighter. “But Blake has to try it first.”
April almost laughed until Blake half-jokingly protested, “What the heck, Man? Haven’t I been through enough?”
At that, everyone froze, all smiles faded, and April could probably hear a pin drop in the tall grass.
No one seemed to know what to say but then, without even thinking, April said, “my mom was vegan for a few years, and she used to bake with substitute ingredients all the time. If something came out too mushy, the key was to put it in the microwave or toaster oven for a few minutes to dry it out a bit.”
Hallie turned to April with a relieved smile and hugged her. “Thanks,” Hallie said. “You’re a lifesaver.”
April hugged her back, wishing there was more she could do.
When Hallie released April and turned to go inside, Caden quickly followed, offering April a grateful nod before disappearing into the house on his wife’s heels.
Blake joined Skyla on the floor, pulling her into his arms, and Tanner joined April on the porch, standing beside her.
“Never a dull moment around here,” Tanner said, obviously trying to relieve some of the tension.
If April didn’t know better, she would’ve thought this was the worst day for him to invite an outsider into their group.
But she had genuinely enjoyed her time with all of them, so she kept that thought to herself, hoping no one else was thinking it, too.
“Pretty sure you just saved the day,” Martin said, coming up on April’s other side. “I know it may not feel like it with everything going on, but you’re a hit.”
April shrugged. “Good thing my mom went through a health nut phase before losing her mind.”
Martin gave her a curious glance at that.
“Alzheimer’s,” April explained. “I try to talk to her once a week on Zoom, but she doesn’t even know who I am anymore. It only confuses her most of the time. So, I just call the nurses every few days to check on her.” She was rambling now, but Martin gave her a reassuring smile.
“You’re a good daughter,” Tanner said, putting an arm around her. “And a good friend.”
A few minutes later, Hallie came out with Caden, carrying a platter of cut up pieces of cake. “April, you were right. A few minutes in the toaster oven and this baby is practically perfect. Want to try it?”
There was no way April could say no. “Of course. I’d be honored.
” She took the piece closest to her. Everyone watched with seemingly bated breath as she took her first bite.
Covering her mouth with her other hand, she laughed, and everyone else laughed too, finally releasing the pent-up tension that had lingered all this time.
“It’s really good,” she announced. “Not like a normal cake, but definitely edible, and I mean that in the best possible way. Good job, Hallie.”
Hallie beamed and Caden took a piece for himself. After a moment of chewing, he said, “This is pretty good. I guess I can be a health food convert, and not just because you’re my wife, and I love you and would literally take a bullet for you.”
Hallie smiled and shook her head. Blake rose to his feet and took a piece. “Only for you, Hallie,” he said, before biting into it. Then everyone else ponied up and took a slice as well, and the reactions were all positive, much to Hallie’s relief.
“So, does Violet like to bake, too?” Reese asked. The woman was nice and friendly, but she never really met anyone’s gaze. April wondered what that was about. She was sure there was a story behind Reese’s behavior, but she didn’t want to put her foot in her mouth again.
“I don’t know,” April answered, honestly. “Her step dad is rich, so he has staff that does all the baking and cooking for her.”
“Kids need to get dirty, bake, cook, play - it’s all part of childhood,” Garrett said. “Bring her over sometime. She can muck up our kitchen anytime she wants to.” He looked to Reese who had a mouthful of cake, but she gave an approving smile and nod.
“Thanks,” April said, wishing she hadn’t mentioned her niece, while at the same time aching for the sweet little six-year-old to meet these people who April had no doubt would love her for who she was, not what she could do.
The rest of her time at Garrett’s house was spent talking and laughing with his friends.
The women were warm and welcoming. The guys showed her how to reel in a fish and invited her to join them at their next get together.
Tanner’s gaze hardly ever left her. It felt amazing knowing she still had his attention even when he was surrounded by his closest friends.
He constantly checked in with her, making sure she had something to drink, and asking if she was getting cold as it got later in the day, and the air got cooler.
Tanner was honestly the best man she’d ever met, and the more time she spent with him, the more convinced she became that Zara was right. Tanner would make an amazing dad.
Now, April just had to tell him that he had a daughter.