If she spoke to her family from that headspace, she hoped they would understand.And if they didn’t, she’d be okay.
The bees were happy and enjoying the sunny morning.The predicted rain hadn’t arrived, and she hoped it would hold off until the evening.Rain was good for her flowers and bees, but she hoped it would wait.
Overnight rains were the best.Some of her favorite times were when she snuggled up with Bibi, worked on her products, or read a book while rain pattered against the roof.
Adding Lawson into that picture only made it better.“I bet he’s a world-class snuggler, Bibi.I can’t wait to find out.”
She donned her bee suit and checked the topmost super boxes.Each of the frames showed progress in the honey's creation.“Good job, my friends.I’ll leave you alone to enjoy the flowers.Maybe Bibi and I will come back later to plant more.For now, it’s time to make a phone call.”
She’d deliberately left her phone on the counter and hadn’t even checked it since she and Lawson had headed out to stargaze the previous night.
She smiled as she patted the truck’s tailgate on the way by.“Thanks for a great night, Beatrice.I’m hoping to do it again sometime.”
When they were almost at the garage, Bibi growled low in her throat.A sound Dani rarely heard.The same sound she’d made before she barked at the courier the previous day.
Dani stopped and grounded herself by resting her hand on Bibi’s fur.She wasn’t going to doubt her girl’s warning.“What is it?Do you sense another stranger?Or danger?”
And why hadn’t she brought her phone?She’d done it so she wouldn’t be tempted to check it or make a call before she was ready.
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.
