Chapter 14 Catching a Buzz #2
Now she realized how dumb that had been. She couldn’t call for help.
Did she need it?
She could disappear into the woods and head to the Malssum property. Or Lorraine’s as she was closer.
What if it was just the courier sent by her mother? Or her mother herself. Was there any way her mother would show up?
“I should have checked my messages after all, Bibi. Okay, let’s keep walking right behind the garage. It should conceal us, and then we can peek around to see what’s bothering you.”
Reminding herself that her parents weren’t cartoon villains and that her life wasn’t a movie, she moved forward cautiously with Bibi.
She wasn’t much of an athlete, but she would run if needed.
She knew her land and the best places to hide.
Her work boots might not be light, but they’d keep her feet safe while she ran.
She would never leave her phone behind again. Although, people had lived for millennia without cell phones. Most of them survived just fine.
And how many hadn’t? How many would have lived if they’d had access to a cell phone?
Shaking off the depressing thought, she stopped behind the garage, heart racing.
Bibi continued to growl, but she hadn’t escalated to barking as she had the previous day. “I wish you could talk, my friend. I’m going to peek around the far side of the garage. If I can’t figure things out from here, we’ll head to Lorraine’s and call Lawson.”
Lorraine had once bred show dogs. Her troop of highly trained Bernese mountain dogs and boxers was very protective.
But Dani couldn’t just run for help until she knew exactly what the problem was.
Okay, she could totally do that. In fact, it could be the wise decision. But she wouldn’t leave without at least looking.
Dani moved to the side of the garage away from her cottage. Bushes and wildflowers grew there, giving her more cover.
She also pulled her keys out of her pocket and held them in her hand, ready to use them as a weapon. She hoped she wouldn’t need them. “Okay, Bibi. We’re going to stay hidden and look.”
The Newfoundland wasn’t easy to hide, but whoever was there might not react to a dog.
Dani crouched and moved slowly until she could see past the shrubs. A large SUV she didn’t know sat in her driveway.
A man sat in the driver’s seat. He wore dark glasses and a uniform hat. Not the courier. Had her mother rented a vehicle and driver to get to Vermont?
From her angle, Dani couldn’t see anyone else in the SUV. She kept low and moved forward a few feet. Bibi growled again. Her girl didn’t like the visitors.
Trusting her dog’s senses, Dani backed away slowly until she was behind the garage again.
“I’ll try looking from the other side. If I can’t figure it out, we’ll go find Lawson, okay?”
At Lawson’s name, Bibi leaned into her, making Dani smile. “You fell for him first, didn’t you? You have very good people radar.”
Which meant Dani needed to listen to her.
But she also needed to know. Taking off might be smart, but if she was truly going to be a full adult, she needed to look first.
Then she shook her head. “This is my property, Bibi. I don’t have to hide. I’m still thinking as I was before. Chances are high that no one is parked in my driveway waiting to beat me up. We can do this. At worst, it will be an uncomfortable conversation.”
She took a few more seconds to ensure she was calm. Bibi might not like the person, but that didn’t mean they were out to hurt either of them. She wouldn’t get close. Bibi would be an excellent deterrent.
With a nod, Dani nodded once and rested her hand on Bibi’s fur. “Let’s do this.”
Dani walked forward with her hand on Bibi’s head. She stopped when she could see the side of the SUV. No one was visible, so she moved closer. If necessary, she and Bibi could go to the garage. She’d have time to get there with the SUV parked at the end of the drive.
She moved forward another few steps.
Absolute shock rippled through her when her sister stepped out of the back door of the SUV. “Evelyn?”
Her sister wore a business suit in a bold, deep purple. Her heels were a few shades lighter. She held a small clutch bag that matched her shoes. A chunky silver necklace completed the look.
A stunning look that would work well in board offices in the city but looked entirely out of place here in Dani’s driveway.
Dani moved a few steps closer. Her sister wouldn’t hurt her.
But Bibi growled again.
“Hello, Daniella.” Her sister’s voice held little warmth, and her eyes slid over Dani, taking in her dress and work boots.
Instead of feeling like she’d done something wrong, and made the wrong choices again, Dani smiled. She loved her life, and it was perfect for her. It didn’t matter what her family thought. “Hi Evvie, it’s good to see you.”
She’d used the nickname for her older sister for years because Evelyn had been too difficult for her toddler self to say.
Evelyn’s eyes didn’t warm up at the name. “I prefer to be called Evelyn.”
“And I prefer Dani. Why are you here, Evelyn?”
Her sister turned her attention to their surroundings. Her gaze roamed over the garage, the cottage, and the surrounding forest and then down at Bibi. “I think the better question is, why are you here?”
Instead of feeling inferior, the words made Dani sad for her sister. “I’m living a life I love in a place I love.”
Evelyn’s nose crinkled.
Dani decided to try. “Would you like a tour? It’s a wonderful property. I have apiaries in the back in a field surrounded by wildflowers. It’s beautiful. If you’d like to see, we can find a pair of boots for you. There’s no point in ruining those gorgeous shoes.”
Evelyn looked surprised at Dani’s words. “No, but thank you. Do you enjoy working in the fields?”
Dani laughed. Her sister made it sound like Dani was slaving for someone else. “I love it. Bibi and I just came from checking the bees. They’re making good honey for early in the season. I’ll be able to collect it soon.”
“Collect it?”
Dani nodded. “I have equipment that helps me turn it into honey. With the honey and the propolis, I also make lip balms, candles, and some health care supplements. I have some samples if you’d like to check them out.”
Dani pointed at her cottage. She could see her sister considering it when a male voice spoke from inside the SUV. Not the driver, but her sister’s husband, Jeremy. “Stop wasting time, Evelyn.”
Evelyn frowned at the SUV for a long moment. Then she shut the door and turned back to Dani, her eyes softer than they’d been. “Mother wasn’t pleased with the outcome of your call yesterday.”
Dani grinned. “Neither was I. She wouldn’t give me answers to any of the questions I had. Do you know if the company is in trouble?”
Evelyn’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t believe so. From what I’m told, it’s just a merger, Daniella. Sorry, Dani. These things happen in business all the time.”
“Maybe, but I need more information before I sign something that will eliminate Frannie B’s legacy. She was an amazing woman, and I’m not signing over her company unless there’s a valid reason.”
Evelyn nodded. “I miss her, too.”
That warmed Dani’s heart. “I hope Frannie B’s Honey would make her proud.”
Evelyn smiled, but her eyes were sad. “I bet it would. She loved seeing women create businesses. Are you happy, Dani?”
Before she could respond, the door on the far side opened, and Jeremy emerged to glare at her over the SUV.
“Just sign the damn documents, Daniella. Stop being a selfish brat. This merger has nothing to do with you. You’ve been nothing but an embarrassment to your family for years.
It’s not like they’ve asked anything of you before.
You shouldn’t have any rights to the company after what you’ve done.
Help them out for once in your pathetic life. ”
She barely heard the final words over Bibi’s barks, but they cut into her soul.
Her voice shook when she turned to her sister. “If someone would like to give me some answers, email me. Or if you’d like to talk, please call. Until then, goodbye.”
It took some effort, but she kept her hand steady as she unlocked the door. She didn’t hush Bibi, who continued to bark.
She thought maybe Evelyn tried to speak, but the barks drowned out her words.
Dani motioned for Bibi to follow her in, and then she locked the door.
When she slid to the ground, Bibi stopped barking and climbed into her lap, licking her face.
Dani buried her head in her fur and tried to hold back the tears.
Nothing but an embarrassment. Pathetic life.
The tears fell.