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.
