Chapter 31
Three Months Later
“You can’t catch me,” Violet shrieked as she ran past April in her efforts to get away from Sienna. The girls were supposed to be winding down after a long day of celebrating Violet’s seventh birthday with their school friends and Tanner’s family, but they were still as excited as ever.
Tanner had given her a white horse just like April had said she dreamed of having, and his parents had given her one of Aster’s puppies after Tanner and April had agreed to let her have a dog.
“Save me, Buddy!” Violet shrieked between giggles, and the rambunctious puppy bounded for his favorite playmate, while Boo looked on from a safe distance.
Distracted by the cute bundle of fur, both girls paused their game to cuddle and pet the puppy that Violet had named after her favorite dog movie. She was still thinking about what she wanted to name her new horse, but as long as she was happy, April didn’t care.
“Time to start getting ready for bed girls,” April announced.
“Yes,” Tanner said.
“I agree,” Faith chimed in. The three of them had been trying to convince Violet and Sienna that it was time to settle down for almost an hour now, but they didn’t have the heart to force the issue because the day had been so special and magical.
Violet had invited all her friends from school, they’d had horse and carriage rides around the property, a petting zoo, and various carnival games. The kids had a blast and all the adults loved seeing their big smiles, and of course, participating in all the fun.
To April’s surprise, Zara flew in from California, and had spent the day at Off Rhodes Ranch, hanging out with April, and meeting and getting to know Tanner and his family, and all their friends.
The women eagerly embraced Zara, asking her a million questions, and encouraging her to move to Dallas so she could be part of the group.
If April didn’t know her best friend, she could’ve sworn that Zara actually considered it for a brief moment. They spent the day talking, laughing, catching up, and just enjoying each other’s company. April couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such an incredible day.
The only person missing was her mom, but April was doing her best not to think about that, or she’d sink into a cloud of sadness that had no place in her life today.
Violet had a new family that loved and protected her, but after everything that had happened, April was quickly learning that these incredible people were her family, too.
Faith, Pam, and Peter had not only welcomed her with open arms, they’d been there for her every step of the way since the moment Tanner had brought her home with him.
They went out of their way to make sure she was comfortable, and after Ned kidnapped her and Violet, they didn’t just take care of Tanner and Violet, they took care of her.
It was a time in her life she’d never forget, but because of them, she could look back on it with something other than terror and sadness.
The sun had set almost an hour ago on the long day of excitement, and Zara had just left for the hotel she insisted on staying at instead of crashing at the ranch. They had a girls-only breakfast planned for tomorrow, and April couldn’t wait to show her around Dallas.
April had never thought of Dallas as her home.
Before meeting Tanner, she’d spent many nights thinking about leaving, trying to figure out how to get Violet as far away from Ned as possible.
But since he was no longer an issue, April had allowed herself to relax, and really take in her surroundings.
At first, she’d stayed close to Off Rhodes Ranch, almost afraid of anything that wasn’t within the safety of its gates.
Over time, and with some coaxing from Tanner and his family, she started venturing out, first with Faith and Pam while Tanner recovered, and then with Tanner.
They took it slow, going only to their friends’ homes where April felt safe.
Orly, Hallie, Skyla, and Reese were happy to host them, but it wasn’t long before April suddenly realized she was doing the same thing to herself and Violet as Ned had done to them - putting them in a sort of prison.
And that was the last thing April ever wanted to do.
There was so much to see out in the world, and she wanted Violet to feel strong and safe to wander, explore, and learn about whatever she wanted.
While fear had once ruled their lives, it no longer had a place in their hearts or minds. They were free to live the life they’d always wanted. And Tanner and his family, and her new friends were always there, gently guiding them and fiercely loving them through it all.
“Let’s go, let’s go!” April called out as she and Faith started corralling the girls back to the main house. Violet had insisted on a birthday sleepover with Sienna, which suited April just fine. She was looking forward to spending some quality time with her man.
***
Tanner loved when his entire family got together.
His grandparents came home two weeks ago from an Alaskan cruise, and the twins had flown in for the weekend to meet April and Violet.
But he’d been a little distracted all day and he was just happy no one else seemed to notice.
At first, he thought about doing it on the carriage ride he’d taken with April while the girls were busy checking out their new castle playhouse.
Then he was going to wait until tomorrow after April’s breakfast with the women.
He even considered putting it off until next week, after she ran in the marathon she’d been training for.
But there was no way he could wait that long.
He finally decided he was going to do it tonight.
He wanted the moment to be perfect, but first, he had to help convince two very excited little girls to settle down and go to bed.
He could’ve easily left bedtime to Faith and his mom, but April loved being with Violet as much as he did. And putting Violet to bed, reading her a bedtime story, and tucking her in every night was one of his favorite things as a father. He never missed out on those moments if he could help it.
Every minute with his daughter was a gift, and he didn’t take a single one of them for granted.
She was such a happy kid. Always smiling and eager to have fun.
She loved animals and took to her new family right away.
She hardly ever mentioned Ned anymore, and Tanner and April made sure Violet understood that most people were good, and would never hurt her like Ned did.
She still used her gift every once in a while, when she wanted to show off to her little cousin, but Violet understood that she could only do it if he or April were nearby, and not too often.
Overall, Violet was happy and loving her new life.
An hour later, the girls were finally asleep, and Zeus was all saddled up. “Are you sure you’re ready to get back on him?” April asked.
As far as she knew, Tanner hadn’t been on Zeus since before getting shot, but he was healed now, and strong enough to do this.
He’d already mounted Zeus a few times in the last couple days without telling her, just to make sure he could.
“I’m ready,” he said, way more nervous about what was to come than about mounting his horse.
Tanner’s heart was beating like a drum, but he kept an easy-going smile on his face as he helped her up into the saddle, then got on behind her. His side gave a bit of a twinge, but he ignored it. Nothing was going to ruin this day for him, and tonight was about to become just as memorable.
“Are you okay?” April asked once he was settled behind her.
Sensing her concern, he wasted no time putting her at ease. “Are you kidding me? I’ve got my woman with me on my horse. I’ve never been better.” Tanner gave Zeus the signal to move forward and the horse started walking down the familiar path.
“Today was incredible,” April said with a huge smile.
“Yes, it was.” And it was about to get even better. If only Tanner could calm his racing heart down enough to not have it beat right out of his chest. “Violet had a blast.”
April laughed. “So did I. Watching her with her new friends was so incredible. Thank you for giving her this beautiful life, Tanner. It’s all I ever wanted for her.”
“I love being her dad, April. I will always give her everything I can.”
They rode up to the spot where he and April had jumped into the lake that one night.
It was dark now, with just the full moon and the stars out for light, just like it had been then.
He’d set everything up earlier, and he had no doubt it would work out.
But he was still nervous. He wanted to make this moment perfect for April.
“I am not jumping into that lake again,” April said with a laugh as he helped her get down. “I learned my lesson the first time. That water was way too cold.”
Tanner chuckled and took her hand in his.
The familiar warmth and softness of her skin settled him in a way nothing ever could.
He led her to the place where she’d first stripped in front of him under the large tree, then turned and faced her.
The glint of light reflecting off the shiny diamond ring suspended by a string from one of the branches hadn’t drawn her attention yet, so he looked up and her gaze followed.
Then he carefully got down on one knee, her hand still firmly in his.
“My beautiful, kind, incredible, April. You’ve stayed by my side through my recovery.
Never missing a doctor’s appointment or a physical therapy session.
You’ve celebrated every milestone with me, and cheered me on when I hit the inevitable challenges. ”
A tear rolled down her cheek, even as her eyes stayed bright and her smile big.
“Through all of it, you were there with me, a ready smile, a steady hand, a source of complete and unconditional love and support. Before you and Violet were taken, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. Now, after everything we’ve been through together, that feeling has only multiplied to something so much bigger and stronger than just a want.
It’s a need. Like air and water. I won’t ask you to jump into a freezing lake, but will you dive into a life with me? Will you marry me, April Hornby?”
“Yes!” April flew into his arms, hugging him, and laughing as she kissed his face and neck. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll dive anywhere with you, Tanner Rhodes.”
Tanner pulled back just enough to catch her mouth with his, because he never missed an opportunity to kiss the woman who’d made him the happiest man in the world.
His whole body relaxed and tensed at the same time with the sweet taste of her mouth.
This was what it felt like to be whole, he thought.
This was what he never knew he’d always needed. A family of his own.
When he pulled back, he looked into her eyes, so grateful for everything they’d been through because it had led them to this moment.
He stood, then reached up and yanked on the string, releasing the ring from its hold.
She eagerly held out her left hand for him, and he slipped it on her ring finger.
He loved seeing it there, and the little gasp she let out let him know she felt the same way.
“It’s stunning, Tanner. I love it so much. ”
“I’m glad, and I love you. There is one more thing I want to ask you though.”
“Anything,” April said, swiping at the tears on her face, as she admired the princess cut stone set in a simple platinum setting.
“So, the renovations on the basement in our home are done. The contractor turned over the keys last night.” Tanner had decided to finish all the renovations on their house while he was laid up at the main house.
His parents had insisted that he, April, and Violet stay with them until he recovered.
When he started to protest, his mom pointed out that it would likely be too much for April to take care of Violet and him.
He’d immediately agreed, and the three of them moved in with his parents.
He’d had his reservations about how it would work out, but he should’ve known everything would be fine.
If anything, his family had grown even closer after living together under one roof for the last three months.
But it was time for him and April and Violet to move back into their own home, and he wanted to bring one other person with them.
“As you know, I turned the basement into a two-bedroom apartment with its own small kitchen, bathroom, and living area.”
April nodded. “For guests.”
Tanner smiled. “I actually had one particular guest in mind. I was thinking it would be the perfect place for your mom. We could move her in there and hire around the clock help for her. I know how much you miss her, and I think it would do her good to be with her daughter and granddaughter. What do you think?”
April’s mouth went slack as she dropped her arms away from Tanner. For a second, he thought she would hate the idea, but then she burst into tears and her arms wrapped around him again. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Tanner Rhodes.”
He hugged her tight and laughed. “Is that a yes?”
April kissed him in a way that made his balls tighten, then pulled back giving him that gorgeous smile. “It’s a heck yes! When can we move her here?”
Tanner smiled. “I might’ve already made a few calls, so how does next weekend sound?”
April gasped and wrapped her arms around him again, burying her face in his neck. “Sounds perfect. Thank you for making our lives so amazing, Tanner.”
Tanner pulled back just enough to look into her beautiful green eyes. “I’m the one who should be thanking you. I love you, April Hornby, soon to be, Rhodes.”