Chapter 15 A Bee In Your Bonnet
A Bee In Your Bonnet
Dani hugged Bibi hard, then pulled herself to her feet. Her legs tingled because her Newfoundland wasn’t the lapdog she thought she was.
She shook herself and walked to the counter where she’d left her phone. She wanted Lawson, but she’d satisfy herself with a text.
Which made her realize she’d missed one of his. Instead of texting back, she called.
“Dani. You okay?”
“I’m fine. Sorry I missed your text.”
There was a hesitation. “You’ve been crying. I’m at the apiaries. I’ll be there in a minute. Do I need backup?”
Her eyes misted again. “No. It’s fine.”
“See you soon.”
When he knocked on the door, Bibi’s tail wagged before he called out. “I’m here, Dani.”
She unlocked the door and opened it. The driveway was empty. Lawson slammed the door behind him and locked it while his eyes remained on hers. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms and just held her.
Her body shook, but it was okay. Lawson would understand.
When her shudders slowed, he lifted her gently into his arms and moved to the couch. He settled into a corner with her on his lap. Bibi leaped up and rested her head on Dani’s legs.
The scenario made her smile. “Thanks. This is exactly what I needed.”
Lawson kissed her hair and ran his hands over her. “You’re okay.”
It wasn’t quite a question, but she nodded. “I am. A little thrown off my game, but I’m okay.”
He didn’t demand she tell him, but she knew he needed to hear what happened as much as she needed to tell him.
“Bibi and I checked on the bees after you headed out. When we came back, an SUV waited in the driveway.”
His arms tightened around her.
“I wanted to call you, but I left my phone inside. For a bit, I considered running away, running back to you. But it’s my property, and I figured anyone who parked in the driveway wasn’t threatening me physically.”
He kissed her hair again, held her close, but didn’t ask questions.
“I came about halfway up the garage with Bibi growling warnings at my side. Thanks, Bibi.”
She ruffled her girl’s fur and then continued. “I don’t think I could have been more shocked when my sister exited the SUV in her city suit and heels.”
Lawson chuckled. “I prefer the flowery dress and work boot look, myself.”
She smiled. “She was gorgeous as always, but it’s definitely not my style, and a little out of place here.
Anyway, she brought up the papers and how disappointed our mother was that I hadn’t signed.
Evelyn said she didn’t believe the company was in trouble, that this was a normal business transaction. ”
Lawson grunted softly. “Do you think she knows any more than that? What does she do in the company?”
Good questions. “I don’t know. From what I remember, she’s good at hosting events.”
“That kind of job would make me pull out my teeth. You too.”
Dani’s shoulders relaxed. “You’re very good for me.”
“Tell me the rest.”
His gruff demand proved he knew she wasn’t upset over her sister. “We were having a decent conversation. A little stilted, but I offered to tour her around the property, to show why I love living here and doing what I do.”
She sighed. “It felt like we might have an actual conversation when her husband got impatient.”
“Did he threaten you?”
Dani rubbed his chest. “No. But he said I’d been nothing but an embarrassment to my family, and that for once in my pathetic life I should do what the family wanted and sign the papers.”
Lawson shifted her so they were face-to-face. “Seriously? What an asshole. You didn’t believe him.”
It was a statement that made her smile. “Momentarily. It was like a knife in the gut. Then Bibi started barking and wouldn’t stop. My sister said something, but I couldn’t hear it. We came inside, and I locked the door.”
“He’s wrong. I hope you believe that right down to your toes. You’re beautiful, smart, kind, hard-working, creative, and gentle. If someone should be embarrassed, it’s the asshole who doesn’t see or understand any of that.”
His fierceness filled her heart, and she reached up to kiss him. “Thank you.”
His frown hadn’t disappeared. “I want to kick that jerk’s ass for making you cry. And for lying about you. He deserves to be ripped to shreds.”
Dani hadn’t thought she had a laugh in her, but she did. “He’d probably hide under his desk if you took a step toward him.”
“Good.”
She snuggled in. “I wonder what’s going on with Frances Bishop Cosmetics. For my mother to send a courier, and then my sister, it must be something bad. I don’t want them to suffer, but I need someone to talk to me before I sign away Frannie B’s company.”
“Damn straight. She’d be proud as hell of how you’ve stood up to them.”
“I hope so.”
Lawson shifted and pulled out his phone. “I have to text the guys, so they don’t arrive here ready to pound the shit out of anyone.”
“What?”
He texted and then grinned at her. “I was helping Nash and Ford with the cider cabin. They knew I was worried about you and were ready to charge here to help. I’ve called them off.”
Her eyes filled again. “You have an amazing family.” Neither of the two men was his family by blood, but she knew he’d know what she meant.
His gaze softened. “I do. And you’ve got them too, all of them. Whenever you need something, you’ve got it. From all of us.”
Then, his eyes sparkled. “Unless it’s something involving naked times. Then you’ve got me and only me.”
This time she laughed for real. He was right. She may not have her family, but she had Lawson and the rest of his.
That was more than she’d ever dreamed.
She shifted until she straddled his lap. “I’m thinking I need some of those naked times right now. What do you think?”
His grin turned fierce. “When it comes to you, the more naked times, the better.”
Laughing, she leaned down to kiss him. She had everything she needed.
Lawson stewed over the interaction between Dani and her brother-in-law. He’d had her go over it again, trying to get a feel for all the undercurrents.
He should have been there.
She’d handled it—handled them—but it had left her in tears.
He wanted to kick Jeremy Beaumont’s ass.
A spectacular round of afternoon sex had taken the edge off his anger, but he was still worried about her.
It was Knox’s turn to cook at the farm that night, so he texted to ensure there’d be enough if he brought Dani. He got an, Of course, in reply.
Maybe being surrounded by his friends and family would help both of them relax. “My brother’s making supper tonight. I don’t think he’ll poison us. Want to come with me? He said there’s lots.”
She grinned at him. “From what you’ve said about your parents and grandfather, I’m sure you’re all competent in the kitchen and around the house. As well as in the garage and in public.”
He laughed. “You’re right. We were so damn lucky. Our parents and Fox made sure we were well-rounded kids. I’m sorry you didn’t have that.”
“I had Frannie B, though, and she was worth a lot.”
He nodded. “She was. I’m betting she and Fox would have gotten along well.”
“Have any of you figured out what happened between Fox and Jay? From everything you’ve said, family was a priority with him.”
Lawson sighed. “It’s so weird. I don’t remember ever hearing about a brother.
Not before my parents were killed. Not after.
And you’re right; it’s the opposite of what I expected from Fox.
We need to do more digging in the farmhouse and the outbuildings.
Knox found pictures of the two of them fishing when they were little.
We can tell they’re not twins, but they look so much alike, we can’t tell which one is which. ”
“The fact that Jay kept the photos is a good sign. Maybe he has other things as well.”
Lawson nodded. “We’ve poked a little, but haven’t gone through his room yet. It feels like something we need to do with everyone here.”
Dani squeezed his hand. “That’s a good idea. Even if Burke comes for a visit, you could start digging.”
That was a good idea. Burke had continued his stance that he couldn’t leave Boston because his job took all his time. But if he came for a week, that would be good enough. And it might convince him he belonged here, too. His job had to slow down for Thanksgiving or Christmas, didn’t it?
The biggest problem was that Lawson didn’t remember his brother ever taking a vacation.
“Maybe when you organize the barn, you’ll find something there. Did Jay like to play with the machines, too?”
“I’m not sure. We can ask Thea tonight, although he owned the property for more than a year before he hired her, so who knows what he did then. Lots of questions to ask.”
“Questions are good.”
Lawson hugged her. “They are. And you’ll keep asking yours. Someone will give you answers eventually.”
She sighed. “Evelyn and I were on the way to an actual conversation. If her idiot husband hadn’t interrupted, we might have finished it.”
He swayed her from side to side. “Do you have her number? Maybe text her asking her to call you when she has time.”
“You mean when she’s not with him.”
He chuckled. “Yep. Even if you don’t get answers, maybe you can get to know each other.”
She nodded into his chest and held on.
He brushed his hand up her back. “Do you want to take your truck over, or walk through the woods? We can check out Beatrice and her bee buddies on the way.”
She laughed. “That sounds perfect.”
Dani shoved her phone in the pocket of her dress, and they locked up. Bibi led the way to the apiaries, sniffing at every second bush or tree.
When they reached the clearing, he heaved a dramatic sigh. “You’re never going to let me move Beatrice, are you?”
Dani’s laugh was relaxed and happy. “Not a chance.”
“But she’s lingering here. I could bring her back to her shiny former glory.”
“She’s glorious as she is.”
He couldn’t argue with that, so he patted the tailgate. “What do you think, Beatrice? Would you like to get some polish on those pretty curves of yours?”
Dani laughed. “Don’t you fall for his lines, Beatrice. You’re absolutely perfect, exactly as you are.”
Lawson reeled her in for a kiss. “Yes, you are.”
Her skin flushed. “I think that’s my line. Thanks for being such a great guy.”
And then they were kissing again. The words wanted to spill out of his mouth, but he held them back. No sense in adding to her stress yet. If she didn’t love him back yet, he’d work his ass off to make it happen.
They caught up with Nash’s family and headed to the farmhouse as a group. Charlie had a million questions about bees that entertained everyone during the walk. Lawson wasn’t shocked that Dani knew the answer to every one of them.
She’d even known that a bee’s sense of smell was fifty times more powerful than a dog’s. And that they tasted with their antennae and their feet.
She grinned at the boy. “There’s even been some successful efforts in training bees to detect bombs and land mines.”
“That’s so cool. Did you hear that, Oggie? Bees can smell better than you and Bibi, and can be trained like you guys too.”
“Oggie.” Little Ella Mae squiggled down from Nash’s arms to hug their dog. The beagle was just her size.
Then the toddler turned to Bibi and held out her arms. “Oggie Bee.”
Bibi didn’t move a muscle as the little girl, who weighed about as much as Bibi’s tail, reached up to hug the dog. Toddler babble erupted as Ella patted Bibi’s face and neck, telling her an intense story. The Newfoundland’s head bobbed, and the girl hugged her again.
Then Ella turned and ran to Lawson. “Up Law.”
Complying, he hoisted her up to sit on his hip. “Hey there, Ella Mae. What do you think about heading to the farmhouse for some food?”
Ella patted his cheeks and nodded. “Cookies.”
Olivia laughed. “That’s her favorite word lately.”
“Cookies.”
“I’m betting Knox made something delicious for supper.”
Ella kept babbling and laughing. Charlie chimed in with guesses of what Knox might be making. Grasshopper lasagna, dragon eggs and ham, and mud pies with zombie gravy.
Keeping the girl safe in one arm, Lawson reached for Dani’s hand as they walked to the farmhouse.
This. This was what he wanted.
He grinned at Dani, and her eyes sparkled with fun. No signs of stress over her brother-in-law. Just happiness in the life they were living at this moment.
All they needed was to figure out the mess with her family, and they’d have a lifetime to enjoy it all.