Chapter 11 #2
“Ready to meet my friends?” Tanner asked, just as Blake’s car pulled into Garrett’s driveway. Blake was driving and Skyla was in the passenger seat.
“Hey,” Blake called out as he got out and came around to help Skyla out. “I heard you were bringing a date. You must be April,” he said.
April’s cheeks turned a darker shade of pink as she leaned into Tanner. He liked that she was pressing herself into him, but he didn’t want her being shy around his friends. “Hi,” she said with a polite smile.
“Blake this is April, April, Blake,” Tanner said in greeting to his friend. “You guys need some help?” When April looked at him in question, Tanner explained. “Blake and Skyla usually bring the booze. Skyla owns Madigan’s Bar and Grill.”
“Oh,” April perked up. “I’ve been to Madigan’s. That’s where Tanner and I met. What a fantastic place you have.”
Skyla stepped out of the car holding a small handbag. “Yeah, that place has kind of taken on a life of its own. I just run it.”
“I was actually there the night of your grand reopening,” April said. “I loved the black light idea. That was so much fun, and the glow in the dark drinks were so cool.”
Tanner almost winced at seeing his friends’ eyes darken with sadness at the mention of that night.
“What?” April asked, obviously picking up on the tension. “Did I say something wrong?”
Blake took Skyla’s hand and lifted the box filled with booze with the other. “We’ll see you inside.” He turned to April and gave her a weak smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It was a great night for Madigan’s,” Skyla agreed, though the undertone of deep sadness in her voice only made Tanner feel worse. Skyla didn’t say more, but it seemed as if her legs couldn’t carry her away fast enough, and Blake seemed only too happy to oblige.
As soon as they were out of earshot, April turned to Tanner, confusion and worry written all over her face. “What did I say? I admit I’m not good with words sometimes, but-”
Tanner kissed her, interrupting her unfounded apology.
There was no way she could’ve known how painful bringing up that night would be for them.
Before offering an explanation, and only making her feel worse, he just wanted to kiss her again.
She melded her mouth to his, pushing her body against his, as if being close to him was as natural as breathing to her.
And he loved that she was so pliable in his arms. So responsive to his touch.
He groaned, wanting more than they were both ready for at the moment.
April pulled back, her gaze longing and soft, and Tanner wanted to lose himself in those beautiful big green eyes, framed so perfectly by her thin rimmed glasses.
“Are you going to tell me what I said so I don’t stick my foot in my mouth again? ”
Tanner sighed, knowing there was no easy way to say this. “The night we met; Skyla had a miscarriage.”
April’s eyes grew wide as she drew a hand over her mouth.
“Oh my gosh, I’m such an idiot. And here I was rambling on about how great that night was.
I’m so sorry. They must hate me.” She turned away from him, whether in shame or regret, he wasn’t sure, but he quickly pulled her back into his arms to face him.
“There is no way you could’ve known. And maybe I should’ve told you, but that’s not the kind of thing that comes up in conversation.
Either way, if anyone is to blame here it’s me.
You did nothing wrong, and that was an amazing night for Madigan’s.
It’s just unfortunate that for the rest of their lives, they’re going to associate it with their greatest loss. ”
April drew in a shaky breath. “I can’t even imagine.”
“Hey,” he whispered, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “They got through it, and they’ll keep getting through it. This is not your burden to bear, got it?”
April nodded. “I should apologize.”
“Nonsense. You had a good night, and so did I. It was the night we met and I’m not going to apologize to anyone for that.
” The light in her eyes slowly came back at his words.
She was obviously thinking the same thing he was.
How they’d bumped into each other. How he’d spilled her drink.
How he’d insisted on buying her another one.
And how their conversation led to them naming their first daughter.
“See?” He said, as her lips hinted at a smile. “It was a good night.”
April drew in a deep breath. “You’re right. But we should probably join your friends or they might think we’re either making out or we’ve run away.”
Tanner barked out a laugh. “I’m actually good with either of those assumptions, but I do know which I’d prefer.” April giggled and Tanner relaxed a bit. “Ready?” He asked.
“No,” April said thoughtfully, surprising Tanner. “Before I do or say any more awful things, please tell me more about each of your friends so I know what I’ll be walking into.”
Tanner smiled. “Fair enough. You already know Skyla owns Madigan’s. Blake is an FBI Agent and he works with Caden who’s also FBI. Caden is married to Hallie who owns The Mystic Cow.”
“What’s that?” April asked curiously.
“It’s an eclectic books and gifts shop in Dallas.
We’ll check it out one of these days. I think you’ll love it.
Anyway, then there’s Luke Harmon. He’s a detective with the Dallas P.D.
and his wife, Orly, is a nurse.” Tanner purposely left out the part about the women having special abilities because he wasn’t ready to share that with her yet.
It was definitely something that would take some time getting used to, and he didn’t want to overwhelm her.
“Then of course there’s Garrett. He’s a Texas Ranger, and Reese, his girlfriend, lives here with him.
She’s an artist with a gallery show coming up here in Dallas, actually. ”
“Wow,” April said. “Your friends are all so successful. I kind of feel like a slacker.”
Tanner kissed the tip of her nose. “You are perfect, and trust me, they all had to go through a lot to get to where they are now. Speaking of which, there’s one more, and here he comes now.
” Tanner lifted his chin just as Martin pulled into the driveway.
Hoping this introduction would go a lot smoother, Tanner led April to his blue Suburban.
Martin came out with a huge grin, and quickly extended his hand. “Glad I didn’t miss the introductions,” he said. “I’m Martin Ellis, it’s a pleasure to meet you, April.”
April smiled shyly. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Martin was the youngest to make Fire Chief in all of Texas. He works at a fire station in downtown Dallas, and can’t always make our get-togethers due to his twenty-four-hour shifts, but I’m glad you got to meet him today.”
“That’s very impressive,” April said. “I’m just a nanny and a homeschool teacher to a very sweet six-year-old.”
“Not just,” Martin said. “I had a teacher when I was six. Her name was Miss Riley. I never forgot her or the books she used to read to our class. One of them was about a firetruck, and let’s just say, my life path was set.”
April breathed in, as if grasping on to Martin’s every word. “Thank you.”
Tanner saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but she blinked them back quickly. “We’ll see you in there,” Tanner said to Martin. They exchanged chin lifts and Martin walked toward the gate.
“Your friends are amazing,” April said. “Martin was so sweet.”
Tanner shrugged. “They have their moments.”
April laughed and reached for his hand. “I’m ready to meet the rest of your friends. Though I have to admit, they sound more like heroes than mere humans.”
Tanner bit his tongue, wishing he could divulge just how right she was.
***
Two hours later, April was sitting on Garrett’s outdoor sofa, squished between Hallie and Orly, with Reese sitting across from them, and Skyla sitting on a cushion on the floor, her back leaning against the railing.
She watched as the guys attempted to fish from Garrett’s dock even though Caden kept diving into the water and scaring all the fish.
She laughed and Skyla turned to see what she was reacting to.
“They’re such big babies.” Skyla’s mood had significantly improved since they’d first met. April had no doubt that being surrounded by her closest friends and eating some delicious steaks likely helped a lot.
“I think that’s why Caden is so against us getting a dog. He just doesn’t like the idea of being responsible for someone or something else,” Hallie said.
Orly laughed. “Please. I don’t think I could bring a goldfish into our house without Luke worrying about its safety, and where it’s going to live, and how it’s going to fare.”
“I don’t think they’re afraid,” Reese interjected softly. “I think they know the risk of loving someone or something, and they just don’t want anything to happen to it.”
April looked at Reese, who’d been all fun and jokes most of the day. “That’s deep,” April finally said. “But if you spend your whole life afraid to love, you’ll end up alone.”
“No, they won’t,” Skyla said. “Those guys love so much; it practically oozes off of them. They’re just careful who and what they let into their heart. Because as big as it is, it breaks that much easier.” The tone of sadness in her words wasn’t missed by anyone.
Hallie stood and plopped down next to Skyla. Hallie wore a tank top and khaki shorts, revealing faded scars marking Hallie’s arms and legs. The woman had obviously gone through something painful in her past, and while April wondered what or who could’ve hurt her like that, April didn’t want to pry.
Hallie wrapped an arm around Skyla and the women leaned on each other for support. “I know Blake is having a hard time with everything,” Skyla said with a sigh. “I just don’t know how to help him.”
“It’ll take time,” Orly said. “I mean, I’m not an expert, but the kind of loss you two went through, doesn’t just go away overnight.”