“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 arewegoing to stay?” Violet asked.
Tannerglanced 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, butlittleis 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 afterdinner 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.”
“Thanks, Dad. I was actually going to talk to you about that, but you beat me to it.” Tanner didn’t always see eye to eye with his old man, but there was no question that when it came to their family’s safety, they were always in agreement.
“No problem. Safety first. Always,” Peter said, getting back in his truck. As he drove away, Pam straightened, pulling her shoulders back and placing her hands on her hips. It always made Tanner smile when she took that stance because he imagined her turning into the ‘captain of her ship’ mode. “Alright, Faith, go ahead and take the girls to see the baby chicks. It will give April some time to settle in. Then we’ll sit down to dinner, and maybe the girls will get to play a little in the new playroom before bedtime.”
Tanner loved the idea of Violet spending time with Sienna in the second-floor loft that he and Peter had turned into a playroom after Faith moved back home with Sienna. It had a swing, a treehouse, a trampoline, and even a small obstacle course built into it, not to mention all the toys, dolls and electronics that any little girl could want. In a way, Tanner wasjealous his parents hadn’t thought to make something like that for him and Faith, and the twins, when they were growing up, but he knew it was just his parents' way of trying to make it up to Sienna after her father all but abandoned her. They might be overcompensating, but Sienna was more than worth it.
