Page 64 of The Sweetest Thing
Or not.
When he’d stepped closer, Tansy’s whole body had tightened with anticipation. She’d stared up into his eyes as he leaned into her—so caught off guard she’d almost reached out to steady herself on his truck.
Like Dane had been doing.His white-knuckled grip on the side of his truck bed had sent a thrill along her spine. She’d been aching for him ever since.
Even now, driving a van full of teenagers back home.Get it together, Tansy.
Her gaze darted around the road. She couldn’t see his truck. She needed to stop fixating on the way his jaw had clenched tight and how his gaze had fixed on her lips. If she did that, she’d think about the barn and how exhilarated she’d felt wrapped up in his arms. He was so strong, so warm. Tansy swallowed, her heart pounding in her ears. She wanted to be back there, his hands on her, his lips clinging to hers...
“You okay, Miss Hill?” Benji, sitting in the front passenger seat, asked.
“I’m great.” She forced a smile. “Just thinking about this morning. Things to do, that sort of thing.” Like Dane.Wait. No.Not do Dane.KissingDane. Her cheeks were burning.
“Like what?” Benji asked, digging through one of the bags of trail mix Aunt Camellia had made for a snack.
Nothing suitable for your young ears. She shrugged as she said, “Where to begin?”
“I can make a list.” Benji tossed a candy-covered chocolate piece into his mouth. “I make lists for my mom all the time.”
“Really?” The first item on her list was no more thoughts of kisses, Daneorkissing Dane.Time to check off item one on my list and change the subject. “Your mom mentioned you might be interested in helping out at Honey Hill Farms?”
“Hey, wait.” Felix leaned forward, grabbing the bag of trail mix from Benji. “I am, too. Kerrielynn said you guys are cool to work for and that she learns something new all the time.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Tansy would have to look at the numbers but the likelihood of being able to pay both of them was pretty slim.
Still, now Felix and Benji were talking bees and Tansy was happily distracted the rest of the drive. She could talk bees all day. But when she got home and they were unloading supplies, she realized she was searching for Dane. He wasn’t here.
It’s a good thing.Which would have been a lot easier to believe if she wasn’t so disappointed.
“Can we come back tomorrow and help get the bees moved into an apiary?” Kerrielynn asked. She turned, including the other high school students.
“Unless that would be weird.” Leif shot Tansy an apologetic smile. “I mean.” He lowered his voice. “You and my brother...” He shrugged, as if that was explanation enough.
For Tansy, it was more than enough.
“You and Mr. Knudson, what?” Felix asked. “You two are dating?” His eyes went round.
Tansy winced. This was not something she wanted to talk about with them. With anyone.
“Ha!” His sister, Crissy, smiled. “I told you.” She smacked Felix on the shoulder. “They were all teasing and flirting and stuff.”
Wait, we were?Tansy opened her mouth, ready to protest.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Felix shrugged. “More like, you heard Mom talking to Mrs. Popplewell about them last night.” He batted his eyes. “How Dane was asking for help to woo someone.” He snorted. “Who uses the wordwoo? Besides, she never said he was talking about Tansy.”
“Or maybe Leif was talking about how Texas Viking Honey and Honey Hill Farmsarerival bee farms. Not themdating,” Benji pointed out. “Maybe Mr. Knudson doesn’t want Leif hanging out here.” He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “UnlessLeif is a spy for his family’s business. Is that why you’re joining the club now?”
Tansy had a pretty good idea why Leif was here—and the boy’s quick glance at Kerrielynn said it all.
“Leif, you’re welcome here,” Tansy cut in. “The bees and I need all the help we can get. The more the merrier.” Except for this very moment. As delightful as the morning had been, she was ready for them all to go. Especially with this new Dane-wooing-someone news. “And Mr. Knudson and I—”
Kerrielynn’s phone started vibrating. “Oops, it’s my mom.” She took the call and Felix called everyone into action before Tansy ever had a chance to clarify how things were between her and Dane.It’s probably a good thing because I have no idea how things are between us.
Kerrielynn hung up. “Mom has tables reserved for us at Delaney’s.”
Meaning, more people. Tansy hadn’t realized how exhausting all the people-ing was until today.
“She and a lot of the other parents want to take you to lunch—to thank you for today,” Kerrielynn went on. “You have to go.”
