Chapter 24 #2
Tanner hugged April tight, even lifting her and twirling her around.
“You’re really and truly my daddy?” Violet asked.
Tanner hadn’t even noticed his whole family coming up behind them, but without missing a beat, he turned to Violet and picked her up. A huge grin on his face. “It’s official, Darlin’. The test confirmed it. I am your daddy,” he said, beaming at Violet. “If you’ll have me.”
Violet threw her arms around his neck. “I get to have a real daddy! I love you!”
The raw emotion on Tanner’s face didn’t even compare to the tears welled up in April’s eyes, or the ones streaming down his mother’s cheeks. “I love you more than anything in the whole world,” Tanner said, holding her tight with both arms. “Forever and ever.”
“I’m just so happy everything worked out the way it did,” Pam said, swiping at the tears on her face. April was right there with her, so beyond happy at how it turned out.
“Me too,” Faith said. “I’m so excited to have a niece, Violet. We’re going to have so much fun.”
“This was everything I’ve always wanted for Violet,” April said. Faith and Pam took turns hugging her and then hugging Tanner as he held Violet in his arms.
“I have another granddaughter,” Peter said, his face moist with tears. “Thank God.”
“This calls for a celebration.” Pam said after hugging April. “I’m thinking chocolate cake with pink frosting. How does that sound?”
“Can I help?” Violet wiggled for Tanner to put her down and he did.
“I would love your help,” Pam said. “Why don’t you and Sienna go start getting the ingredients out.”
“Yay!” Violet raced to the kitchen with Sienna following close behind.
“I better head in there before they take my entire kitchen apart.” Pam chuckled and quickly followed after the girls.
Tanner was just about to make his exit when the backdoor flew open and Dale Wilson, the ranch manager rushed in, completely drenched.
“Mr. Rhodes, I’m sorry to bother you, but that mare’s labor isn’t progressing and this storm doesn’t seem to be letting up.
I called Dr. Brigg, but she’s in Waco visiting family this weekend. It would take her hours to get here.”
Peter rushed to put on his jacket and slipped into his rubber boots. Tanner, Faith, and April followed him. “I’ll go out there with you,” Peter told Dale. “Maybe we can figure something out together. I won’t lose her or that foal.”
“I have to head out for work, but I can help when I get back. I shouldn’t be gone long.” Tanner said.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine.” Peter pulled his hood up, ready to go.
“This is her first foal. I’m sure her body is just figuring out what it needs to do.
Tanner, go take care of business. Ladies, do me a favor, and check on the generator.
It should be good to go, but I don’t want y’all to be stuck with no power if we can help it.
Faith, ask your mom where she moved all the flashlights and emergency candles to, and get those out just in case.
Also, go upstairs and get two of the guest rooms ready.
I think it’ll be safer if we all hunker down here tonight.
There’s no telling what this storm might bring. ”
“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 before you 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.