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 nameFrannie 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.”
