by Rhavensfyre
Dani managed to get through a good bit of the month’s expenses and sales, fighting her normal deskbound induced fidgeting by turning the music up a little more every few minutes. When her eyes started to cross, and she was seeing double digits where there was only one, she picked up her tennis ball and started throwing it at the wall. It was a one sided game of catch she had played often enough. If you looked closely you could see multiple round imprints on the wall in front of her. Callie would occasionally manage to intercept a throw and be the one to get the ball. Each time she snatched it out of the air, she would growl and strut like Dylan doing a high step before she would bring it back. Since playing with a dog slobbered tennis ball was a wee bit gross, Dani made sure she didn’t miss that often. It wasn’t until the collie’s face turned sad enough to win an academy award in acting that she would give in and throw a little wide.
She was really getting into her game when an unexpected voice startled her. Three things happened at once. One–her feet slid off the table, jarring her heels painfully. Two–she missed the return, and the ball smacked her shoulder and rolled, sending her awkwardly grabbing at the darn thing until it was intercepted by Callie. And three–she was left sitting there, a deep flush burning along her cheeks as Allyse stared down at her from the stairway—a bemused expression on her face.
“What, pray tell, are you doing?” Allyse asked. With her arms folded across her chest, she looked downright matronly in a sexy, scary horror flick nun sort of way. A victim of too many late night B movies, Dani had to suck in her lip to keep from giggling.
“Playing wall ball,” Dani said, rubbing her shoulder where the ball had smacked her. She grabbed the remote and turned down the stereo. “Sorry if the loud music bothered you.”
“And what is wall ball?” Allyse asked.
Dani picked up the ball that Callie had returned to her and gestured towards the wall. “You take a ball and bounce it off the wall like this.” She threw the ball and caught it, neatly snatching it of the air before tossing it to Callie.
Allyse didn’t seem very impressed. “Shouldn’t that be an outdoor sport?”
“Why? The walls are perfectly good in here,” Dani said, grinning up at the other woman. It made sense to her. It was a flat surface, it was her house, and all you had to do was add boredom to have an excuse to play. Why go outside? There was plenty of other stuff to do once she went outside.
“Didn’t you have work to do?” She gestured towards the abandoned computer.
“Got bored.”
“Of course you did. Do you have A.D.D. by some chance?”
“I don’t really know. But you aren’t the first person to ask me that,” Dani answered honestly, scratching the corner of her lip. It wasn’t like Allyse was being flippant or anything, it sounded like she really wanted to know.
“I don’t have any problem concentrating, at least when it’s something I love to do or am interested in. In that case, I soak things up like a sponge. But this?” She waved her hand at the computer and neatly stacked receipts. “This doesn’t interest me, so I get bored easily.”
“That explains so much.” Allyse thought back on some of Dani’s more quirky behavior. It made a lot more sense now.
Allyse noticed the music playing in the background. It was lovely and haunting and gave her an idea. “Is this a CD?”
Dani nodded.
“Good, can you start this song over?”
“Of course.” Dani did as she requested then Allyse took her hand and pulled her up off of the couch.
“Dance with me?”
“I would love to.” Holding a sexy woman in her arms was way better than playing catch by herself.
“I really like this song.”
“I do too, it’s one of my favorites,” Dani agreed, then went silent as they moved together, dancing on the living room rug.
“Where did you learn to dance so well?” Allyse asked, regretfully breaking the beautiful silence. She had expected something simple, a gentle swaying of bodies perhaps, but of course Dani would know how to dance. Not only did she dance well, but she also took the lead naturally.
“Gay uncles. Uncle Jay was a great dancer,” Dani said, smiling at the fond memories. “Um, Allyse? The song’s over. I should really try and get this paperwork done.”
Allyse gazed up at Dani for a moment before pulling her head down and lightly kissing her, then stepped back. “Thank you for the dance.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.” Dani bowed and tipped an imaginary hat in a move elegant enough for a ballroom.
“I’ll leave you to your work. I have a few things I can do to keep busy.”
Allyse’s first stop was the kitchen. After going through every drawer and cabinet, she settled on something simple and easy. She found fresh fruit and cheese to go with some of the gourmet crackers she had bought last week. She glanced back into the living room to check on Dani. She was still engrossed in her computer and not paying any attention to her.
Next, she grabbed a couple of blankets from the laundry room, then paused when she saw a wicker basket sitting high on one of the shelves. Dani had an honest to goodness, old fashioned picnic basket hidden up there. It was complete with wine glasses and plates. She couldn’t resist, the quaint little basket was coming with them.
With the cut fruit and cheeses back in the refrigerator and everything else all packed and ready to go, she had nothing left to do until dinnertime. She went in search of Dani but she couldn’t find her. The woman had abandoned her work again and was nowhere to be seen.
Curious and bored, she sat down in front of Dani's computer and started scrolling through the open spread sheet. Wow, this is a lot of money.
She noticed that despite Dani’s professed hatred of anything related to number crunching, everything was quite organized. The orchard was surprisingly profitable, and the horses did okay but it was an entry labeled “ANT” that caught her eye. There weren’t many monthly transactions, but they were all for good money. Add that to a large fixed sum deposit made at the beginning of every month—Perhaps it was an insurance payout from Jay?—and Dani was not only doing well, she was doing extremely well. If she had a good investment person she’d be set up for life, even if she never sold another apple.
Dani came slamming back into the house to find Allyse sitting in front of her computer. She plopped down onto the cushion next to her and leaned back, stretching out her arms along the back of the sofa before drawling, “Enjoying yourself?”
“I’m sorry, I should have asked first.”
“It's fine, I really don’t care.” Dani waved Allyse’s concern away. “Do you find this interesting?”
“Yes, actually, I do. I know what these two items are, but what is this?” Allyse ran her fingertip along the screen. “ANT’s?”
“It’s easier to show you. Why don’t you leave that be and come with me.” She took Allyse's hand and led her outside, out to the huge old red barn tucked next to the one she stored her cars in. She opened the door and walked inside the dark cavernous space. Allyse stepped inside but stayed within the small wedge of sunlight barely penetrating the interior.
“This used to be an old cow barn, but I rehabbed it into something a little more useful.” Dani turned on the lights with a bit of a flourish, watching Allyse carefully. She wanted to catch her first reaction to this little surprise.
“What is all this?” Allyse asked, her eyes wide as saucers.
“I pick up antiques, fix them up and resell them,” Dani explained, walking farther into the building. “I did your bed and all the furniture in your room. Well, and of course mine, too.”
Allyse was at a loss for words. The barn had looked old and dilapidated from the outside but had been retrofitted into a woodshop on the inside. It was full of bed frames, desks, and chairs, anything you could think of. Most of it was dusty and all of it was old, but the pieces that Dani had finished…they glowed with new life. She was understating her art. Dani didn’t simply refini
sh antiques, she brought the wood back to its former glory. Allyse ran her fingertips along the silk smooth finish of a lovely French armoire, in awe of the workmanship but spellbound by the history. She looked up at Dani. “Incredible. This isn’t a reproduction.”
“No. It’s not.” Dani joined her and much like Allyse had, lovingly ran her fingers across the smooth surface. “I often wonder where things have been over all these years, how far they’ve traveled, and how they end up where I find them. This one? I found this one a few months ago, sitting on a curb at a yard sale of all things. It was painted a horrendous puke green color and someone had tried to dress it up with stenciled flowers. It took me weeks to get layer after layer of old paint off of it before I found the wood.”
“It’s gorgeous. And you sell them?”
“Not me personally. Erick has contacts in New York and I send him emails so he knows what I’ve finished. Once a month we arrange shipment to different places in New York. Some on consignment, sometimes to private buyers. A few shops will buy them outright so they can set their own price.”
Dani’s eyes shone with pride, not the kind that got you in trouble, but the type of pride you had when you helped something reach its potential. She gazed down at Allyse, a bare wisp of a smile bowing her lips. “Actually, you have a piece that I rehabbed.”
“My desk?” Allyse asked. “Yes, I remember Erick saying he could get me a deal. I love it.”
“Yeah, he got a good deal on that one since he said it was for you.”
“I always wondered why it was so inexpensive. Especially after it was delivered and I could appreciate the true quality.”
Allyse felt guilty now. The desk had come from Dani and she had probably lost money on it.
“I had it appraised for my homeowner’s insurance. It was worth well over what Erick charged me for it. If you’d let me, I’d love to pay you what it was worth, not what Erick had quoted me.” Allyse stopped talking when she realized that the more she babbled, the more insulted Dani appeared.
“I don’t need the money. But I’m glad you liked the desk.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn't trying to insult you, just pay you what it’s worth.”
“Hmm.” Dani considered the offer for a minute before answering. “You know what you could do? Help me with the books and I’ll consider it payment in full. How does that sound?”
“Done!” Allyse clapped her hands together, effectively sealing the deal and thrilled that it had been so easy. It was probably a good thing Erick was acting on her behalf in the city. Dani wasn’t naïve by far, but there were plenty of dishonest men out there that would eat her alive if she tried to negotiate with them. “You’re a true artist, Dani.”
Dani laughed. “I don’t feel like an artist. I’m just someone who needs a lot of hobbies to keep her mind occupied. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
They were about halfway back to the house when Allyse asked “So, I was wondering if you would like to go on a picnic with me.”
“Sure. When?”
“How about now? It’s almost time for dinner.”
“Sounds good to me,” Dani agreed readily. “A picnic definitely sounds better than doing paper work.”
***
Allyse was having to work around a very nosy woman rummaging around in the picnic basket she was trying to pack. When Allyse playfully slapped her hands out of the picnic basket, Dani looked at her with such innocent hurt that she gave in and let her continue.
“Is everything to your satisfaction?” she asked, poised halfway between sarcasm and concern. “Or did I miss something?” Please don’t ask for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
“It all looks really good, but I do think you’re missing something.” Dani abandoned her Yogi Bear impression and dropped the lid. “I have just the thing to round this out.”
Dani disappeared into the back pantry and came back with a victorious grin plastered on her face and carrying a wine bottle aloft in her hand like a prized trophy. Allyse didn’t recognize the bottle or the label and when she tried to take it from her, Dani spun around and hid it with her body until she had it firmly wrapped up in a towel and tucked safely into the basket. Dani was being particularly secretive about that bottle and it made Allyse’s curiosity soar.
“Now we have a proper meal,” she announced, grabbing up the basket in one arm and holding her other arm out for Allyse to take it. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. It’s a beautiful day out.” And you’re here with me and not gallivanting around the farm, she added, allowing the thought but keeping it to herself.
“So, where would you like to go?”
“I would love to go back to the orchard, if that’s okay. It’s such a lovely spot.”
“Well, it should be. I worked hard to make it just right,” Dani said, dutifully turning off the main path towards the gate marking the entrance to her orchard.
Dani’s remark made Allyse pause. There was a story here somewhere, one she wanted to hear. For one thing, this one place seemed to be off limits to her employees. It also seemed to be a place that gave Dani some peace, a place she seemed to seek out when she wanted to relax and forget about everything else.
“Tell me about the orchard. I noticed that no one ever goes here but you. It seems to hold some special meaning to you.”
“The orchard is mine. That’s why no one else comes here. When I first arrived at the farm, Uncle Jay had the worst time getting me to go out and do anything. He gave me these acres and asked me what I wanted to plant. I told him apples. He gave me a shovel and bought me a bunch of yearlings and told me to plan my orchard. I found this spot and planted the first tree here by the spring. I didn’t understand what Uncle Jay was doing at first, but as the trees grew and then started bearing fruit, I started to.”
“I see. Please, go on.” Allyse encouraged Dani while they spread blankets out beneath the very same tree they had sat under the last time. The grassy area was slightly rounded and smooth, as if someone had painstakingly taken out every sharp rock that might find a knee or hip to dig into. As bad as the storm had been, the orchard had somehow managed to escape the worst of it. Only a few bright wounds were visible here and there where weaker branches had broken off, exposing the almost white woody flesh hidden beneath the rough bark.
“I learned a lot about the land, and what you had to do to get the trees to bear fruit and be healthy. I also learned that no matter what you do, some trees will fail despite every attempt to keep them healthy while others will thrive even without attention. This orchard taught me to love the land around me while in return I found a place that accepted me and needed me as much as I needed it. This isn’t the only orchard on the property, but it is special to me. This is where I go to be alone, or just to rest when nowhere else will do. You see this tree right here?” Dani reached out and patted the rough bark affectionately. “The seeds from this first tree have been used to grow hundreds more. I don’t use pesticides or any chemicals. The spring down there is still pure. You could drink straight from it if you wanted to. I often do.”
“That is a great story Dani, I’m honored you’ve shared this place with me,” Allyse said, watching Dani’s face carefully. There was none of the sadness that usually accompanied talk of the past, only joy and a sense of peace she wished Dani could find all the time, not just during these brief respites. The distant, dreamy expression on her face reminded her of the first time she saw her, so angelic with that golden hair shining in the sunlight. It didn’t last long. Dani shook herself like a dog, remaking her face into something more familiar—an easy grin carving away the graceful smile and adding shadows to her cheeks.
“But, enough of all of that. I’m starved, and you promised me a picnic, so let’s eat!” Dani said, managing one of her instant flips without an ounce of effort…moving from the past into the present as easily as flipping a switch.
“You’re always starved.” Allyse couldn’t keep the envy out of her voice.
; “I have a very fast metabolism.”
“Um.” Allyse stopped taking the food out of the basket, frozen by the realization that she had planned this little jaunt as date three but forgot to clue Dani in on that little fact.
“What’s wrong?”
“I, uh, I kind of planned on counting this as a date.”
“Yeah? I kind of figured that. Why do you think I made sure I grabbed this?” Dani pulled out the sweat beaded bottle, still chilled from its time wrapped in the towel, and expertly popped the cork seal with a small pocket knife.
“What is it?”
“Honey mead.”
“Honey mead? Like in the stuff the Vikings used to drink?”
Dani chuckled, flashing straight white teeth at her, then held a glass out for her. “Well, I am a Saxon, so it seemed appropriate. Here, try it before you decide it’s too weird.”
Allyse took a tentative sip, then another. Dani seemed to be waiting for a verdict, so she nodded and held out her glass so she could top it off. “It’s good. I thought it would be rougher, but it’s sweet and light on the tongue.”
“Spoken like a true wine aficionado,” Dani said. “I’m glad you like it.”
They settled down for their picnic, enjoying the light fare and conversation as they sipped the cool, golden beverage that Dani had brought with her. Allyse had to admit that even though she had never tasted mead before, she was fascinated by its clean, sweet taste. It was different than the fine wines she usually enjoyed but it was absolutely perfect for the meal she had brought.