Chapter 20 #2
Swallowing back the lump in her throat and completely aware of how Tanner and his family were moved by this sweet little moment, April could only nod.
“Okay,” Sienna said. “Can we go play now?”
“Yes, let’s go,” Violet said. And they were off.
April turned to Tanner who still had a slack jaw. “I can’t believe that’s my daughter,” he said. “I must be the luckiest guy in the world.”
“She really is the best. But all this time…” Tears burned the backs of April’s eyes, but she blinked them back. “Tanner, what she asked of you – I always thought she was afraid for herself. Not for me.”
“I knew it was for you,” Tanner said, taking her hand and leading her back to the table. “That little girl adores you. She’d turn this house upside down, literally, if it meant protecting you.”
“She’s the one who needs protecting, Tanner. Not me.” When Tanner didn’t respond, she looked him in the eye, hardening herself for what she was about to say. “Promise me, if it ever comes down to me or her, that you will choose her.”
“It won’t.” Tanner stuffed a large piece of French toast in his mouth, probably hoping to end this conversation, but April wasn’t deterred that easily.
“Tanner,” she insisted. If this man cared about her even a little, he had to understand that Violet always had to come first. She was the one Ned really wanted. She was the one who needed his protection.
He chewed slowly, avoiding eye contact with her.
When he finally did look her way, there was steel in his blue eyes that could’ve made her blood turn cold.
There was no question he’d understood what she’d been trying to convey.
And he obviously didn’t like it one bit.
“It won’t.” His words landed hard, unwavering.
“Tanner, when did you say Caden was coming by?” Pam asked, clearing away some of the dirty dishes and bringing them to the sink.
It was obviously her way of breaking the tension in the room, and it likely would’ve worked, except there was a soft knock on the back door that had all of them turning their heads in that direction.
Caden came in carrying a file. “I hope it’s okay I let myself in. The door was wide open.”
Pam smiled. “For you, always. Come on in. The girls just ran out to the stables and must’ve left it open. There’s fresh coffee, and plenty of French toast.” She set a plate and a mug full of steaming hot coffee in front of him. “I forget, do you take cream and sugar?”
“Yes, Mam. Thank you. Hallie left for The Mystic Cow early today, so this is fantastic. Smells great.” He helped himself to two pieces of French toast and reached for the syrup.
“Enjoy,” Pam beamed, passing him the cream and sugar from across the table.
“I can’t stay too long, so let me just make sure everyone is caught up on everything,” Caden said. “We have a lot to talk about.”
“We have a granddaughter,” Pam said, her voice filled with tears and joy. “I just don’t understand how we could’ve not known.”
April cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I wish I could’ve come to you sooner, I just -”
“No, they understand,” Tanner interjected. “We all do.”
“I’m going to go check on the girls. April, you can still watch them today, right?” Faith had been so quiet during breakfast; April had almost forgotten she was even there.
“Of course, I’ll head out there as soon as we finish talking with Caden.” April was looking forward to spending time with them. Violet was so happy here, and Sienna was such a fun kid. April was going to enjoy every second with them.
“Thanks,” Faith said. “See you later, Caden.”
Caden gave her a chin lift, his mouth full of French toast.
After scarfing down his breakfast, he sat back in his chair. “So, first things first, we need to set up a DNA test. It’s the only way to prove she’s your biological daughter. But that’s actually the least of our problems because in order to even run such a test, we’d need Ned’s consent.”
“He’ll never give it,” April said. “He might not love Violet, but he won’t give her up either. He works her worse than most of his employees. I have no idea why or what he gains from it, but I know he plans to use her in some awful scheme.”
Caden nodded. “I get that, but if we don’t pursue this the legal way, there could be ramifications down the line that we won’t be able to come back from.”
“I won’t lose her,” Tanner said.
“Trust me, I’m on your side. I’ve got Blake working on the paperwork. Now, Ned is probably going to throw a lot of money and lawyers at all this to try to get her back. I hate to say this, but you might have to let her go-”
“No!” Tanner roared.
“Just until-” Caden started to say.
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.”