Average grades in his finance degree.Member of a few fraternities that included the rich and spoiled.People who were proud of themselves for being born into money.
Nothing illegal about any of that.Nothing impressive either.
Lawson couldn’t examine the financials, but he suspected Beaumont was living the rich-boy lifestyle to the hilt.Was he desperate for money?Was that the reason for the requested merger?
The Frances Bishop Cosmetics company was privately owned, so there wasn’t much he could dig up that way.If they were a public company, it would be different.As far as he or Dani could tell, it continued to be owned by her parents and possibly her sister, brother, and brother-in-law.
They’d checked on the bees and were heading back to Dani’s garage.“I don’t like leaving you alone.”
She swung their hands and smiled.“I know, but I’ll be inside with the doors locked and Bibi on guard.My phone is on, and I’ll check it frequently.I’ve got to get these orders filled, and you need to help Nash and the others put up the frame for the cider cabin’s addition.”
He sighed.“I still don’t like it.”
Instead of heading straight to the garage, Lawson insisted on checking the house for any signs of trouble.He then checked the outside of both buildings and the inside of the garage.Nothing appeared touched or bothered.
Dani squeezed his hand.“It’s been days.Either they’ve found a way around having me sign, or the merger fell through.Evelyn has said nothing in our conversations, so I’m sure it’s fine.”
Lawson was glad that Dani and her sister were building a relationship.Although they were very different women, they were connecting.
Dani reached up and cupped his cheek.“I’ll lock up behind you.The deadbolt is secure, and I’ll call you at the first hint of anything weird.You’re only a few minutes away.”
Lawson ensured his family would bring the ATVs down to the cider cabin.He kissed Dani.“If Bibi growls, let me know.”
“I will, I promise.Now stop worrying about me and go help your family.”
Which made him think of officially making her his family.He was sure and he was ready, but this wasn’t the time.Not when they only had a minute.Hell, he hadn’t even told her he loved her.That should come first.
Tonight, he’d tell her tonight.
With a sigh and another kiss, he left, waiting outside until he heard the deadbolt turn.
He jogged through the fields to Nash’s cabin.The faster he got there, the better.Dani figured she had four hours of work in the garage.He’d even made her promise to let him know if she moved to the cabin to grab food or use the bathroom.He was being more than a little paranoid, but with Dani’s safety on the line, he didn’t care.
It was all hands on deck at the cider cabin.Knox and Thea.Ford and Jolie.Amber and Gray.Nash and Olivia.Charlie.Little Ella Mae sat in her sandbox with her own tools around her.
Today, they were focused on framing the exterior walls first, then the trusses.Ford had become friends with Sean Falcone from Phail.Sean owned Falcon Construction, and he was bringing in a crane to lift the trusses into place.
With so many hands, it was going to move quickly.
After he’d checked with Dani for the fourth time, Amber approached with a smile.“How would you feel about me and Boomer visiting Dani?”
Lawson’s eyebrows shot up.“What?”
His quiet sister smiled.“You’re nervous about her and Bibi being alone while she’s working.Boomer and I can add another layer of protection for her.You know Boomer is the best there is.”
He knew that, but if there was danger, he wouldn’t send his sister into it.
As if she sensed his thoughts, Amber laughed.“How about this, then?I’m going anyway.I’m better at drywall and tiling than exterior construction.I’ll put in my time here once the shell is up.For now, I’m going to learn more about metalworking.I have a few pieces I want to commission for the B&B.This seems like a perfect time to speak to Dani about them.We’ll let you know if anything weird happens.”
Amber reached up to kiss him on the cheek, then she and Boomer walked into the woods.
Gray appeared at Lawson’s side, grinning.“She’s amazing, isn’t she?”
Lawson nodded.“Always has been.But in a quiet way that kept people from noticing her.”
Gray waved when Amber turned to do the same just before she disappeared, as if an invisible link tethered her and Gray.As if she’d known he’d be watching.
Gray slapped him on the shoulder.“Being surrounded by family and friends here makes her so damn happy.She’s blossoming just like the trees.”
