Chapter 12 Speed Of Starlight
Speed Of Starlight
Designing and making metal sculptures soothed Dani. Creative outlets always did, especially when there was a physical element.
Add in Lawson working alongside her, making her laugh with his questions and comments, and she felt steadier and more in control an hour later. “Okay, I’m ready to call her. Will you stay?”
He’d done none of his work that day because he’d spent it all with her. She’d make it up to him by seeing if she could help with his tasks another time.
He nodded. “Of course.”
They returned to the house, Bibi at their side. She resisted the urge to look at the parked sedan. She was nervous enough without thinking about the courier waiting, probably impatiently by now.
Inside, they took up their seats at the table, this time with Bibi’s head in her lap.
Without giving herself a chance to change her mind, Dani pressed her mother’s number.
“Dorothy Richards.”
Dani blew out a breath. It was extremely unlikely her mother didn’t have caller ID. “Hello, it’s Dani.”
“Daniella. The last I heard, the courier didn’t have the signed papers yet. Has that changed?”
This time, she didn’t bother to hide her sigh. “Why, yes, I’m doing well, Mother. Nice of you to ask. How are you?”
A pause. “There’s no need to be rude.”
Straight to it then. “Why didn’t you tell me that Frannie B left me rights to the company regarding mergers and name changes?”
“It wasn’t relevant. You’ve never shown an interest in joining the business.”
“Of course, it was relevant. Are there any other clauses in the business that involve me?”
Another pause. “No.”
Could she believe her? She hoped so. “I need to know more about the company's circumstances before I sign anything.”
“Why? It’s a simple business transaction that doesn’t involve you.”
“Then you won’t be needing my signature.”
She waited, and it only took a moment before her mother spoke again, her voice tight. “We need those papers signed, Daniella, as soon as possible.”
“Is the business in trouble?”
“Excuse me?”
Dani kept the sigh inside this time. “I asked if the business was in trouble. Frannie B’s company has been around for decades.
Because of her hard work and business ethic, it has a fabulous reputation.
It’s a company to be proud of and her legacy to our family.
I won’t sign that away without a good reason. ”
“This is a business decision, not an emotional one.”
“Then explain it to me in business terms.”
Her mother didn’t bother to disguise her own sigh. “Daniella, sign the papers.”
“I won’t sign away Frannie B’s legacy without more information.”
“That is all the information I have.”
Or that she was willing to share. Did her mother not know what was going on in the business herself? Dani hadn’t paid enough attention to the company’s hierarchy to know.
“Until I know more, I won’t sign, so call off your courier. Goodbye, Mother.”
Dani’s finger shook as she closed the app. She dropped the phone onto the table.
Bibi whined, and Dani rubbed her head. “Sorry, Bibi. It’s not your fault. I’m just annoyed. I thought if I approached her seriously, I’d get some answers. Either she doesn’t know them, or she’s unwilling to share.”
Lawson pulled his chair to hers and pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. I’d worked myself up to having an adult conversation with her.”
“You tried.”
Dani nodded. She thought she had as well. She hadn’t yelled, pouted, or run away. That had been her mother. “Maybe she’ll call me back.”
After a few minutes, she suggested they return to the garage and do some more work. But that didn’t help her settle. Her heart was heavy, and her nerves sang.
When Bibi growled a warning, her heart rate nearly shot through the roof. A knock sounded on the garage door, and she whirled to face Lawson.
He was already striding to the door, but she got there first. It was her house, her problem, but it was nice to have backup.
She opened the door to find James McPhee standing a few feet from the door. He held her containers. While his face didn’t smile, his eyes weren’t as flat as before.
He held out the containers. “Thank you for the food and drink. Mrs. Richards has asked me to return tomorrow afternoon, as she hopes you’ll have some documents ready for me.”
Yes, there was a definite twinkle in his eye at that statement.
Lawson acted as her shadow, and she reached out to take back the containers. “I don’t know if I’ll have any papers. I haven’t decided yet.”
He nodded, mouth carefully neutral, but his eyes danced. “I’ll check, anyway.”
And then he walked back to his sedan and drove away.
For a moment, Dani watched him go. “That was interesting.”
Lawson slung his arm over her shoulder. “You’ve made a convert.”
She nodded, amazed at what a little kindness had done. Could she somehow do the same with her mother? “Maybe I should send a care package of sandwiches and honey cookies to my parents.”
Lawson laughed. “Couldn’t hurt. Okay, I have a plan.”
She looked at him in surprise. He ushered her out of the garage. After she locked up, he gestured back to the house. “Let’s fill up a few of these for ourselves.”
“Your plan is sandwiches?”
He grinned. “Why not?”
When he wore a backpack full of food, drinks, and dog treats, he took her hand, and they walked to the backfield.
The sun hung low in the sky, making fascinating shadows through the trees.
As they wandered through her fields of wildflowers and under the trees, her shoulders relaxed. She didn’t need to make any decisions right now. She could let the questions simmer in her subconscious while she focused on enjoying the evening with Lawson.
Bibi ranged ahead of them, chasing shadows and squirrels chattering from safe distances.
When they walked into Beatrice’s clearing, she left the worries behind. This was her favorite place in the world.
Sharing its evening magic with Lawson was exactly right.
Lawson lowered the tailgate and set his pack on the bed. Then he kissed her lightly. “Wait right there.”
He opened Beatrice’s cab and removed the blankets and pillows. In moments, he had a comfy nest for them all.
Bibi jumped up, curled up at the edge of the tailgate, watching the forest.
Lawson turned to Dani and put his hands on her waist. He lifted her and set her on the tailgate, then joined her.
Lawson took off his work boots and set them in the corner. She grinned and did the same, shucking her socks too. She loved being barefoot, but her work in the fields rarely gave her the chance.
Instead of snuggling with their backs to the cab, they lay on their backs, staring up at the stars with her tucked under his shoulder.
It was a clear night, and as the sun faded, more stars joined the show.
Lawson held her close and rubbed his fingers over her arm and shoulder.
For a long while, they didn’t say a word while they enjoyed the peace, the night, and being close to each other.
Bibi settled into sleep, her snores making Dani smile.
It was the perfect way to spend the evening, and she had an idea to make it even better.
Lawson had always enjoyed the night sky.
He’d been on multiple missions where they’d had to shelter in dangerous spots where they couldn’t talk.
During his turns on watch, he’d enjoyed the stars.
During the days when he had free time, he’d learn some constellations and then try to find them during the night.
The feeling was familiar all across the globe. The stars and their patterns differed, but the sensation was the same.
A world at peace with itself for the moment. The glimpse into the universe made him realize how short a lifetime was.
A reminder that humanity might be a tiny part of the universe, but that didn’t mean they were insignificant. He’d joined the army to help make the world safer. To help people in hotspots where they had never known freedom.
Lawson had seen a lot of stars and enjoyed a lot of time night-gazing.
This was far better than any other time, because he had Dani snuggled in his arms.
She was an amazing woman, and she impressed him at every turn. His mission in life would be to help her realize that she was not only an adult, but she deserved to be treasured.
Loved.
Because Lawson loved her. No question.
Maybe it was the peaceful night, maybe it was Vermont, maybe it was how his siblings had slid into love.
Whatever it was, the realization that he was in love—in it for a lifetime love—didn’t scare him.
Instead, it filled him with contentment. He could imagine doing exactly this for decades into the future.
It was too soon to tell her, especially with the worries about her mother and the company. He’d wait until that was settled. Then he’d put all his efforts into ensuring she felt the same way about him.
They were going to build a hell of a good life together.
He didn’t know how long they watched the sky, but the sun was long gone when Dani broke the silence with a whisper. “Thank you. This is perfect.”
He kept his fingers moving lightly over her arm. “Can’t argue with that.”
She chuckled softly and then shifted to look at him. Her eyes were deep shadows in the light of the stars and the full moon. “You’re beautiful.” It wasn’t exactly what he wanted to say, but it was true.
He caught a flash of her teeth in the shadows. “So are you.”
While he laughed, she scrambled onto his chest and lay on him.
His body reacted predictably to the feel of her curves pressing into him. Hell, he only had to think about her for his body to respond.
He kept his hands on her, couldn’t do otherwise, but he ensured his touch was relaxed. Lazy circles of his hands over her glorious ass, over the curve of her spine and up her torso.
Under her chunky sweater, atop her flowery dress.
Dani wiggled and shifted until their faces were level. She kissed him softly. “Make love to me, Lawson.”
Lightning bolts shot through his veins, and every cell flamed. “You sure? It’s been a hell of an emotional couple of days for you.”