“I’ll try looking from the other side.If I can’t figure it out, we’ll go find Lawson, okay?”
At Lawson’s name, Bibi leaned into her, making Dani smile.“You fell for him first, didn’t you?You have very good people radar.”
Which meant Dani needed to listen to her.
But she also needed to know.Taking off might be smart, but if she was truly going to be a full adult, she needed to look first.
Then she shook her head.“This is my property, Bibi.I don’t have to hide.I’m still thinking as I was before.Chances are high that no one is parked in my driveway waiting to beat me up.We can do this.At worst, it will be an uncomfortable conversation.”
She took a few more seconds to ensure she was calm.Bibi might not like the person, but that didn’t mean they were out to hurt either of them.She wouldn’t get close.Bibi would be an excellent deterrent.
With a nod, Dani nodded once and rested her hand on Bibi’s fur.“Let’s do this.”
Dani walked forward with her hand on Bibi’s head.She stopped when she could see the side of the SUV.No one was visible, so she moved closer.If necessary, she and Bibi could go to the garage.She’d have time to get there with the SUV parked at the end of the drive.
She moved forward another few steps.
Absolute shock rippled through her when her sister stepped out of the back door of the SUV.“Evelyn?”
Her sister wore a business suit in a bold, deep purple.Her heels were a few shades lighter.She held a small clutch bag that matched her shoes.A chunky silver necklace completed the look.
A stunning look that would work well in board offices in the city but looked entirely out of place here in Dani’s driveway.
Dani moved a few steps closer.Her sister wouldn’t hurt her.
But Bibi growled again.
“Hello, Daniella.”Her sister’s voice held little warmth, and her eyes slid over Dani, taking in her dress and work boots.
Instead of feeling like she’d done something wrong, and made the wrong choices again, Dani smiled.She loved her life, and it was perfect for her.It didn’t matter what her family thought.“Hi Evvie, it’s good to see you.”
She’d used the nickname for her older sister for years because Evelyn had been too difficult for her toddler self to say.
Evelyn’s eyes didn’t warm up at the name.“I prefer to be called Evelyn.”
“And I prefer Dani.Why are you here, Evelyn?”
Her sister turned her attention to their surroundings.Her gaze roamed over the garage, the cottage, and the surrounding forest and then down at Bibi.“I think the better question is, why are you here?”
Instead of feeling inferior, the words made Dani sad for her sister.“I’m living a life I love in a place I love.”
Evelyn’s nose crinkled.
Dani decided to try.“Would you like a tour?It’s a wonderful property.I have apiaries in the back in a field surrounded by wildflowers.It’s beautiful.If you’d like to see, we can find a pair of boots for you.There’s no point in ruining those gorgeous shoes.”
Evelyn looked surprised at Dani’s words.“No, but thank you.Do you enjoy working in the fields?”
Dani laughed.Her sister made it sound like Dani was slaving for someone else.“I love it.Bibi and I just came from checking the bees.They’re making good honey for early in the season.I’ll be able to collect it soon.”
“Collect it?”
Dani nodded.“I have equipment that helps me turn it into honey.With the honey and the propolis, I also make lip balms, candles, and some health care supplements.I have some samples if you’d like to check them out.”
Dani pointed at her cottage.She could see her sister considering it when a male voice spoke from inside the SUV.Not the driver, but her sister’s husband, Jeremy.“Stop wasting time, Evelyn.”
Evelyn frowned at the SUV for a long moment.Then she shut the door and turned back to Dani, her eyes softer than they’d been.“Mother wasn’t pleased with the outcome of your call yesterday.”
Dani grinned.“Neither was I.She wouldn’t give me answers to any of the questions I had.Do you know if the company is in trouble?”
