Lawson kissed her hair and ran his hands over her.“You’re okay.”
It wasn’t quite a question, but she nodded.“I am.A little thrown off my game, but I’m okay.”
He didn’t demand she tell him, but she knew he needed to hear what happened as much as she needed to tell him.
“Bibi and I checked on the bees after you headed out.When we came back, an SUV waited in the driveway.”
His arms tightened around her.
“I wanted to call you, but I left my phone inside.For a bit, I considered running away, running back to you.But it’s my property, and I figured anyone who parked in the driveway wasn’t threatening me physically.”
He kissed her hair again, held her close, but didn’t ask questions.
“I came about halfway up the garage with Bibi growling warnings at my side.Thanks, Bibi.”
She ruffled her girl’s fur and then continued.“I don’t think I could have been more shocked when my sister exited the SUV in her city suit and heels.”
Lawson chuckled.“I prefer the flowery dress and work boot look, myself.”
She smiled.“She was gorgeous as always, but it’s definitely not my style, and a little out of place here.Anyway, she brought up the papers and how disappointed our mother was that I hadn’t signed.Evelyn said she didn’t believe the company was in trouble, that this was a normal business transaction.”
Lawson grunted softly.“Do you think she knows any more than that?What does she do in the company?”
Good questions.“I don’t know.From what I remember, she’s good at hosting events.”
“That kind of job would make me pull out my teeth.You too.”
Dani’s shoulders relaxed.“You’re very good for me.”
“Tell me the rest.”
His gruff demand proved he knew she wasn’t upset over her sister.“We were having a decent conversation.A little stilted, but I offered to tour her around the property, to show why I love living here and doing what I do.”
She sighed.“It felt like we might have an actual conversation when her husband got impatient.”
“Did he threaten you?”
Dani rubbed his chest.“No.But he said I’d been nothing but an embarrassment to my family, and that for once in my pathetic life I should do what the family wanted and sign the papers.”
Lawson shifted her so they were face-to-face.“Seriously?What an asshole.You didn’t believe him.”
It was a statement that made her smile.“Momentarily.It was like a knife in the gut.Then Bibi started barking and wouldn’t stop.My sister said something, but I couldn’t hear it.We came inside, and I locked the door.”
“He’s wrong.I hope you believe that right down to your toes.You’re beautiful, smart, kind, hard-working, creative, and gentle.If someone should be embarrassed, it’s the asshole who doesn’t see or understand any of that.”
His fierceness filled her heart, and she reached up to kiss him.“Thank you.”
His frown hadn’t disappeared.“I want to kick that jerk’s ass for making you cry.And for lying about you.He deserves to be ripped to shreds.”
Dani hadn’t thought she had a laugh in her, but she did.“He’d probably hide under his desk if you took a step toward him.”
“Good.”
She snuggled in.“I wonder what’s going on with Frances Bishop Cosmetics.For my mother to send a courier, and then my sister, it must be something bad.I don’t want them to suffer, but I need someone to talk to me before I sign away Frannie B’s company.”
“Damn straight.She’d be proud as hell of how you’ve stood up to them.”
“I hope so.”
