“No, I’m starting to think that was for our benefit. To throw us off course. The only real target he has left is Nico Moreno, Arlo J’s son.”
“I think you might be on to something,” Wilder said. “Nico had alibis for all three murders.”
Tanner didn’t like the guy, but he wasn’t about to let him be killed.“We have to stop Doc before he tries to take him out again.”
“I’ve got Doc’s last known address right here,” Wilder said.
“Send it to me. I’ll call a judge for a warrant and meet you there.”
“Wait, it’s been thirty years. Why kill them now?” Wilder asked.
“We’re about to find out.” Tanner ended the call and was already opening the door when April nearly ran into him. “I have to run out for a bit,” he said. “But you and Violet will be safe here. This old house has weathered storms much worse than this.”
“Caden called,” she said. “He tried you, but you weren’t answering, so he called your mom’s phone. He said they’re still working on getting the bomb squad out to DynaTech, but Ned’s lawyers are fighting it tooth and nail.”
Why didn’t that surprise Tanner?
“Also, the preliminary DNA results are in,” she continued. They’d decided to go ahead and rush the DNA test without Ned’s permission, and hope that a judge would accept it if the case ever went to court.
“She’s my daughter, April.” Tanner had never been more certain of anything in his life.
April’s eyes welled with tears. “Yes, she is. She’s really yours, Tanner, and I couldn’t be happier.”
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’. Thetest 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, butthat 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.”
