Chapter 6 Getting Up To Speed
Getting Up To Speed
Lawson forced his eyes off Dani and yanked his control back into place. He wasn’t about to jump her in the back of the truck.
Beatrice. She’d named the truck Beatrice. And she used it as a lunch spot with her giant dog. She’d decorated it with fairies and suncatchers. Blankets and pillows, too.
None of that should appeal to him. None of it should make him smile. But it did—all of it.
Man, he wanted to haul Dani to her toes and taste her. Watch her eyes go blank and learn how she liked to be touched.
Hell.
Lawson hopped down from the truck and grabbed the pack he’d set there earlier. He sucked in a few deep breaths to settle himself.
He’d never experienced an attraction this strong. Dani Richards was physically enticing, but when talking with passion and delight about her bees and the environment, she was addictive.
They’d known each other for less than a day, and she’d been afraid of him for half of that. He wasn’t being a dick and making a move on her.
Instead, he’d share his peace offering and act like a gentleman.
Hopping back up to the truck, he was disappointed and relieved that Bibi had snuggled up beside Dani.
Lawson settled himself against the side of the truck, where he could watch her.
A smarter man would have squeezed against the truck’s cab on the other side of Bibi, where he wouldn’t become any more attracted than he already was.
He was a dumbass, but he was a dumbass who was about to enjoy the view. “I brought bribes to get you to forgive me for being pushy yesterday.”
Her face lit up when she chuckled. “You don’t need bribes. You’re forgiven as long as you forgive me for being rude.”
He grinned. “Deal. I’ve got some of the latest cider flavor to try. A mix of apple, ginger, and cranberry. My buddy Nash thinks it’s good enough to try out at the No Phailed Apples Inn once it’s open. But they’re also looking for honest input.”
“They’ve done a lot of work on the old farmhouse.”
He nodded as he filled the two mugs he’d brought. No disposable products for the group at the farm. “They have. I’ve only seen pictures so far. I got distracted by Beatrice here and haven’t explored the farm yet. Not even to see the infamous Worminator.”
Dani pressed her lips together, but he could see the smile she was hiding. “I’m sorry if I’m keeping you from your family.”
He laughed. “They’re doing fine without me. Actually, they all know I was heading here today. They were eager for me to make up for freaking you out yesterday. They’ll be relieved I didn’t permanently destroy your relationship with all things Malssum.”
He loved her soft laugh. “You didn’t.”
“Good.” He lifted his mug to clink with hers. “To new friends.”
Her cheeks flushed as she held out her mug. “To new friends.”
He didn’t add that he hoped that friendship might turn to more, but he hoped she was thinking it as well. There was no way she couldn’t feel the attraction arcing between them. The proof was in her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.
But he wasn’t moving on it. Not when they didn’t know each other well. He wasn’t looking for a one-night stand.
Lawson dug into the pack and grabbed the container of dog treats. “Is it okay if I give Bibi one of the dog treats Gray makes for Boomer? They’re all healthy stuff.”
Dani’s smile widened. “That would be fine. I don’t know them well, but your siblings and their partners are very nice. It’s nice having neighbors who are such terrific people who care about the environment, too.”
He opened the container. Bibi’s entire body went on alert as the scent drifted to her. “Would you like a treat, Bibi?”
Her tail thumped against the truck hard enough that he could feel the vibrations. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He tossed the treat in the air, and the Newfoundland snatched it with a big doggie grin.
Dani patted her head. “Good catch. She never misses when it’s food. Would you like part of a sandwich? Nothing fancy, just PB&H.”
Lawson laughed. “PB&H? I’m betting the H stands for honey?”
She nodded and opened a container. Bibi watched every move. Dani shook her head. “This one’s for Lawson. You just had a treat.”
Hearing Dani say his name warmed him. That was the first time she’d used it, and it sent his imagination soaring to how it would feel to hear her say it when he was buried deep inside her, and she was sliding over the edge.
Damn, but it was difficult to keep himself focused on anything other than how it would feel to seduce his neighbor. Deliberately, he bit into the sandwich and allowed himself to moan in delight. “This is good. Really good.”
“Thanks.”
“Seriously. Your honey is delicious.” Hell, did that sound like an innuendo?
Dani’s cheeks flushed again, and her laugh was full of mischief.
They enjoyed the sandwiches, and he brought out the cookies. Knowing chocolate wasn’t safe for dogs, he ensured Bibi didn’t get a taste of it, but he gave her another treat.
The way she gobbled them, he knew he’d be trying out Gray’s recipe on his own soon.
As they ate, they talked more about bees and the honey-making process. He also learned she sold her honey under the name Frannie B’s Honey. “Why not Dani’s honey?”
Her smile was soft and full of memories.
“Frannie B was my great-grandmother. She was an amazing woman. Before she married, she created her own line of cosmetics. She called the line Frances Bishop, her legal name at the time, although she always insisted I call her Frannie B. No one thought it was smart to use a woman’s name for her company.
Everyone told her she would be more successful using a different name or an initial to hide the fact that she was female. ”
Lawson shook his head. “Misogyny in action?”
She nodded. “They suggested she change Frances to the male spelling with an I as well.”
“Jackasses. I’m assuming the cosmetics were aimed at women. A woman’s name makes sense for a brand.”
She grinned. “I agree, and so did Frannie B. She loved flaunting the stereotypes of the time. When she married, she hyphenated her name rather than adopting her husband’s. It created a huge scandal.”
Lawson sighed. “Sometimes people can be real jerks. Sounds like your great-grandmother was an excellent role model.”
“She was. She was the best person I’ve ever known. Full of love, and not afraid to be herself. Always told me to trust my heart and find my way to do things.”
The sadness in her voice had heightened all of Lawson’s senses. There was more to the story. “Sounds like my grandfather Fox. We lived with him after my parents died in a car crash.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. It was awful because they were great people. Great parents. We were so damn lucky to have them, and then Fox. He ensured that we were safe and loved. And even with five of us, he spent time with each of us, encouraging us to follow our dreams. He expected us to find what we loved and use that to make a positive impact on the world.”
“He sounds like a wonderful man.”
Lawson smiled. “He was. Although he put on this grumpy outer shell. Loved to grouse about people who didn’t care for the planet, and how people could be so selfish. All that grumpiness was just a cover, though. I miss him.”
She reached across to squeeze his hand. “I’m glad you have so many wonderful memories of him. And I’m glad you have your family to help you remember.”
He smiled. “How about you? Any family to help you remember your Frannie B?”
Dani’s hand stiffened where she touched him. Her eyes and mouth flattened as she pulled away. “No. My family enjoys the money left by Frannie B’s company, but they don’t miss her.”
“I’m sorry. That sucks.”
She twisted her lips. “It does. Frannie B left me a trust fund that helped me buy this place and set up my own business. She’d be thrilled with everything I’m doing here, but she’d be the only one.”
That hurt Lawson’s heart. This woman deserved to have family at her back. “Sounds like it’s their loss. You’re doing amazing things here. Your artwork is beautiful, and you’re doing such good with your care of the bees.”
Her eyes misted. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Lawson wanted to reach out and hug her. If he’d been sitting beside her, it would have been natural. As it was, he’d have to crawl a few steps and reach over the enormous dog. That would make it awkward and weird. The last thing Lawson needed was to prove himself awkward again.
Now that he knew more about Dani, he realized a few things. He wanted to know a lot more. And he wanted to have her back. She was an attractive woman on many levels, and she hadn’t had a lot of support other than her great-grandmother.
He would make it his mission to ensure she didn’t feel alone again.
Dani couldn’t believe she’d spilled as much about her past as she had.
Lawson was an engaged listener, and he asked questions that had her talking about things she hadn’t spoken about with anyone else other than Bibi.
She was sure some of what she’d told him she’d never voiced aloud before, not even to her dog.
In less than a day, she’d gone from being afraid he’d been sent by her parents to trusting him with the truth of her situation. With the truth of her real self.
She knew nothing was ever one-sided. She was at fault for the situation as much as her family. If she’d believed Frank B’s assertions earlier, she might have found her way out years before. Her parents had expected her to do what she’d always done. Comply.
Dani had never been one to make waves. She avoided conflict, digging herself deeper and deeper into a lifestyle she didn’t enjoy. A life that made her miserable.
If she’d voiced those opinions earlier, maybe they wouldn’t have been as shocked at what they termed her betrayal. Maybe if Frannie B had lived longer, her great-grandmother would have helped her find her courage. Her gumption.
“It’s not all my parent’s fault. Or my siblings. They just want different things from life than I do.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some of your Frannie B in you.”