Lawson ran his hands up and down her back, trying to offer comfort.“I’m so damn sorry.”
She shrugged.“Not your fault.My imagination can go off in wild directions sometimes.”
“What was the second reason?”
“I thought maybe a rival beekeeper was checking out my business.When I chose this area of Vermont, I ensured I wasn’t encroaching on anyone’s local business.I wondered if someone was moving in, and they wanted to check out the competition.I worried they might use the drone to disorient my bees and keep them away from their hives.”
Damn it.Lawson tightened his hold into a hug and held her close.“I’m so sorry, Dani.I didn’t mean to scare or worry you.First with the drone, and then with my inept attempt at a greeting.”
She laughed and hugged him back.“It’s okay.You couldn’t know I tend to spiral down rabbit holes of conspiracy theories.Bibi tried to show me you were a good man, but I didn’t quite believe her.”
Lawson kept his hands moving.“I’m still sorry.Even after talking to my family, I showed up the next day alone.They’d all offered to come with me to introduce me properly and convince you there wasn’t anything to fear, but I came on my own anyway.You’re like a magnet, and I couldn’t stay away.”
She leaned back to look at him again, amusement in her eyes.“When I was finally brave enough to leave the garage and go into the house, I got my phone and researched you.When I realized everything you’d said was true, I knew there couldn’t be a connection between you and my family.None of us has reached out in over a year, but I obviously haven’t completely dealt with my emotions in that department.”
Lawson brushed another soft kiss across her lips.“I think you’re amazing.You’ve created something wonderful that makes you happy and supports you.Not many people can say that.”
“Thank you.It matters a lot to hear that.I still feel like an immature brat who ran away from home.I know I need to talk to my family like an adult, but I’ve been too fearful.”
“Can I help?”
Her smile lit up the clearing.“It means so much that you would offer.Maybe.If nothing else, I’d like to bounce ideas off you about how to do it.If I’m weaving conspiracy theories about them tracking me down with a drone, it’s a sign to grow up and deal with the situation.”
He ran his hands up to cup her face.“You’ve done amazing things with no support from anyone.You’re definitely an adult and acting like one.”
Her smile softened.“Thank you.For years, I’ve been acting like I’m hiding out when they know exactly where I am.I worry they’ll try to convince me to move back, even though I know I won’t.It’s time to talk with them so I can move on.”
He nodded.“Sounds like you’re ready for that conversation.If you want moral support, I can be there.Or I can bring ice cream to celebrate when you’re done.”
Dani laughed and reached up on her toes.“I’ll put some thought into it and let you know how I want to deal with it.But right now, I’d like to kiss you again.”
He laughed.“That sounds like an even better plan.”
And it was.
For the next few days, Dani mulled over how to deal with her parents.She wanted to stop looking over her shoulder, both metaphorically and physically.
Until her conversation with Lawson, she’d never verbalized how she felt.Now, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Even though she’d been an adult when she’d left the city and bought her property, she’d always felt like she was disobeying her parents.The guilt had run deep, which was silly.
She had nothing to feel guilty about.Not finding joy in the same things as the rest didn’t make her wrong.Just different.
It was sad that they didn’t understand her, but it was also unfortunate that she didn’t understand them.
After the incident with Paul, the only conversations had been bitter and emotional on all sides.Her siblings were six and eight years older than Dani, so they’d never been close.Had she ever had an adult conversation with them?
Maybe if she stopped acting like a guilty child, they’d stop treating her that way.
It made her cringe.She’d been running her own business for years.While Frannie B had been her role model and left her the seed money for her business, Dani had done it alone.
She’d filed paperwork, signed over large amounts of money, paid taxes, and handled her businesses.She’d done hours of research to ensure her careers were profitable and complied with local and environmental regulations.Hard work didn’t scare her.
None of that was childlike behavior.But the way she’d been hiding, the hours she’d spent worrying about being coerced to give up her lifestyle were.
Even thinking about it from a different angle made her feel better.There wasn’t a way for anyone to force her to do something she didn’t want, so why was she wasting time worrying about it?
That had to stop now.
