Chapter 16
Tanner didn’t miss the shock in his friends’ expressions when Violet had Echo suspended mid-air.
He was planning on telling them about her ability, but then Violet took matters into her own hands and knocked the socks off everyone.
He honestly nearly lost his shit witnessing the power that six-year-old little girl controlled with nothing more than her mind.
But the only thing he saw in Violet at that moment was vulnerability and fear.
She wasn’t acting out of power, but out of a deep-seated fear of being separated from the one person she loved and trusted.
April. He hated that someone so young had to grow up so fast, and he vowed at that moment to always be there for both of them.
“Where are we going?” Violet was sitting in the back seat in Sienna’s booster seat while April sat beside him in the front, the sweetness of her sugar cookie scent filling his vehicle.
He checked his rear-view mirror for the tenth time in as many minutes to reassure himself that his friends were following close behind, and no one else.
If Ned tried to pull something while they were on the road, Tanner wanted to make sure he had plenty of back up.
There was no way in hell he was going to depend on the abilities of a six-year-old to protect them.
If anything, Tanner hoped Violet would soon realize that she had so many people surrounding her, ready to protect her and love her, that she never felt the need to use her gift for protection again.
“A very special place,” Tanner said. “If you liked Garrett’s house, I think you’re really going to like this one. It has even more space to run around in, and my niece, Sienna, who’s about your age, lives there and will be very excited to meet you.”
“Sienna,” April breathed. “You’re taking us to your house. Tanner, are you sure that’s safe?”
“Yes.” His only regret was that he hadn’t already brought her home to introduce her to his family, but he’d been busy with Arlo J’s case.
Before leaving the precinct, he’d talked to Wilder and asked him to follow up with the club members and see which ones he could get alibis for.
Even though the Feds were officially taking over the case, Tanner hadn’t had a chance to talk to Caden about it yet, which gave him and Wilder more time to work it themselves.
Tanner needed to focus on getting April and Violet settled and safe, but as soon as that was done, he was determined to find Arlo J’s and Baby’s killer.
Not only was this the biggest case of his career, but he knew how important it was to his friends.
Blake and Skyla had been through a lot, and they were counting on him to see it through to the end.
Tanner trusted Caden, of course, but once the Feds took over, there was no telling whose desk it would actually land on, and when or how it would get solved.
Tanner wanted to – needed to – make sure this killer was caught and put behind bars.
He didn’t know much about the guy killed in Oklahoma City, but Arlo J and Baby were killed in his city, and Tanner wasn’t about to let that go.
As they approached the gate to Off Rhodes Ranch, Tanner’s cell phone rang. He answered on the first ring.
“Hey, did you want us to follow you in?” Caden asked.
“I think we’re good. Thank you for everything.”
“No problem. Call if you need anything,” Caden said.
Tanner ended the call and made a mental note to have his father hire someone to man the gate until the situation with Ned was resolved.
They had plenty of money from the ranch and all his dad’s businesses, so it wouldn’t be an issue.
He’d called his mom while dumping April’s phone from Garrett’s dock and told her the basics of what was going on, leaving out the part of Violet’s gift since that was something no one would believe until they saw it for themselves.
Besides, that was not the important part of all this.
First and foremost was their safety. As soon as his mom heard him talking about a little girl in danger, she shooed him off the phone and told him to hurry up and bring her. She’d have an early dinner on the table in a few hours.
Just thinking about his mom’s reaction made him smile.
She’d always welcomed anyone who needed anything into their home, whether it was one of his or his siblings’ friends who’d had a fight with their parents and needed a safe place to stay, or a wounded animal who needed a place to recover.
Off Rhodes Ranch had an open-door policy.
“Welcome to Off Rhodes Ranch,” Tanner said as he drove up to the large two-story colonial house.
“My parents, sister, and Sienna live in the main house, and I have a house down on the other side of the small lake on our property.”
“Where are we going to stay?” Violet asked.
Tanner glanced at her over his shoulder, then locked eyes with April.
“Wherever you want. I have a four-bedroom house, so you can have your own rooms there, or my parents’ house has more than enough room for both of you, as well.
” He hoped April would choose to stay with him, but he understood if she felt more comfortable staying in the main house.
April and Violet exchanged knowing looks, then in unison both smiled and said, “with you.”
Tanner couldn’t have held back his huge grin if his life depended on it.
“I was hoping you’d say that. But my mom is cooking what I think is going to be a five-course meal to welcome you ladies, so let’s head inside, and I’ll introduce you to the family.
Then I’ll take you back to my house and get you settled in. ”
“Will Sienna be there?” Violet asked.
“You bet,” Tanner said. No sooner had he put the truck in park, than his mom came rushing out the front door and down the six steps to the driveway. She immediately turned to April and opened her arms for a hug. “You must be April. I’m Pam, Tanner’s mom. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you.” April smiled, hugging his mom. “It’s nice to meet you. I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Nonsense,” Pam said. “Life throws you lemons, but it’s up to you what you make with them. I have to admit, I’m a fan of lemon meringue pie.” Tanner shook his head and smiled at his mom’s love of famous quotes.
His dad’s familiar work truck pulled up beside them. “Welcome to our home.” Peter’s deep voice called to April and Violet, then turned to Tanner. “Your mom told me to expect company, but I haven't had a chance to change out of my work overalls yet.”
“You look great Dad. This is April and her niece, Violet,” Tanner said, as Peter stepped out of his truck.
“It’s a pleasure, April. I’m mighty glad to meet you. I hope you enjoy our little ranch while you’re staying with us.”
“Little?” April teased as she shook his outstretched hand. “Mr. Rhodes, it’s beautiful and a lot of words come to mind to describe it, but little is definitely not one of them.”
Peter chuckled. “You’ll get used to it.” He turned his attention to Violet. “Now, you look a lot like the perfect friend for my Sienna. Have you two met yet?”
Violet shook her head, clutching April’s hand.
Tanner was about to tell his dad that they’d just arrived when the front door opened again, and Sienna came running down the steps with a shriek and a smile, followed closely by his sister, Faith, who looked a little tired after a day at the office, and an afternoon of chasing around a five-year-old.
Ever since moving back home, Faith had been working alongside their dad, taking care of the books and other things at the ranch.
It worked out well since she could mostly set her own hours and be home in time for when Sienna got out of school.
“Uncle Tanner!” Sienna squealed, launching herself into his arms. He caught her easily and tossed her up into the air, eliciting another squeal and a series of giggles.
“Do it again!” She demanded in her adorable way that never failed to melt Tanner’s heart.
He obliged and she laughed even harder. “Hey,” he whispered in Sienna’s ear, carefully setting her down.
“I have a very special friend I want you to meet. Can you help me make her feel welcome?”
“Okay.” Sienna’s gaze settled on the newcomers. “Hi. We have baby chickens,” she informed Violet as a greeting. Then she turned to Faith. “Mommy, can we go play with them?”
Violet’s eyes lit up at the idea, and Tanner wondered if she’d ever had the chance to enjoy the simple things in life, like playing with kids her own age, or feeding baby animals. “Sienna, this is Violet. Violet, this is my niece, Sienna. Would you like to go see the baby chickens with her?”
Violet looked up at April with huge eyes and a pleading smile that needed no words. April threw her head back laughing. “How can I say no to that?”
“I’m Faith,” his sister squeezed in a quick introduction.
“Tanner’s sister, and this little munchkin’s mom.
I’ll go with them to make sure they don’t scare the chickens, but I’d love to talk later when you’re all settled in.
Mom and I do tea after dinner before Sienna goes to bed.
You’re welcome to join us on the back porch. ”
April smiled. “That sounds nice.”
“And just like that you’re part of the tea after dinner crew,” Peter said, warmly.
“Welcome to the family, Honey. All right, I need to get a few more things done before calling it a day. As for security,” Peter said, turning to Tanner, “I had a feeling you’d want it beefed up while our guests are here, so I went ahead and got the same guys who worked the ranch when we had that little cattle problem two years ago.
They were good, and I trust them to hold down the fort and secure the perimeter.
They’re starting tonight, so don’t panic if you see movement after dark.
I’ve ordered them to patrol the property and make sure no one gets on the ranch who doesn’t belong. ”