Page 44 of Must Love Bees
Charlie was still too off-kilter to mind their display of affection.
“That we do!” the parrot echoed, squawking loudly.
“Oh, he’s jealous.” Camellia slipped free of Van’s hold and hurried across the room. “Here you go, sugar.” She reached into the pocket of her ruffled apron. “Momma loves you.”
“That bird is getting fatter by the day.” Magnolia sighed. “Dr. Abraham already told you to cut back on his food.”
“I don’t want him to get his feelings hurt. Birds will pluck out their feathers and strike out and do all sorts of things if they feel neglected or abused.”
Charlie’s gaze met Astrid’s then. She shook her head as she moved to his side. “Lord Byron is spoiled by Aunt Camellia, a fact that Aunt Mags can’t stand. You see, Lord Byron and Aunt Mags have more of a...love-hate relationship.”
“She did mention something about the bird being stuffed and mounted on the mantel.” Charlie kept his voice low.
Astrid laughed. “That sounds like Aunt Mags.” Her gaze swept slowly over his face. “How was your important call? Did they give you a raise and promotion for all your hard work?”
“Actually, yes.” And he wasn’t sure it was a good thing. As much as he appreciated the recognition, he wasn’t sure it was best for him and the girls.
“Oh, Charlie.” Astrid’s hand clasped his. “Really?” She lit up—as if she was happy for him or proud of him. Like his news was a big deal to her. “Congratulations.”
Dammit all, his chest felt tight and achy. His lungs and heart had to work double time to keep up. She shouldn’t look so happy for him.
“Always good to get a nod from the higher-ups.” Van nodded.
But Charlie saw the look on Halley’s face and wished he’d kept his mouth shut. She didn’t have to say a word—he knew what she was thinking. Hell, he’d been thinking the same thing. Was this a good thing?
“I told them I needed some time to think about it.” He spoke directly to Halley. “It’s a big decision. The girls and I should decide together.”
Astrid squeezed his hand.
He squeezed back—and froze. What was he doing? He wasn’t the only one that noticed. Astrid did, of course. But so did Halley. And Magnolia.
Halley was wide-eyed.
Magnolia grinned.
The trembling of their joined hands caught him off guard. Not because Astrid’s hand was shaking. No. Of course not.Hishand was shaking. Like a leaf. He instantly released hers and shoved both hands into his pockets.
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” Camellia buzzed back to the stove, mixed the contents of the pot, then turned to Halley. “Halley, Nova, will you girls help Astrid set the table?”
And just like that, the room was in motion. Charlie had never been so eager to blend into the background. He needed a moment. Hell, he needed more than a moment. The plan was to eat fast, and get out of here. After the whole natural hand-holding thing, he was rethinking staying for dinner. What was happening to him?
“It’s not so bad.” Van clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m not saying it’s easy but... Once you find the right woman, there’s not a damn thing you can do except be grateful.”
Charlie resisted the urge to push back or argue. He didn’t know Van and Van sure as hell didn’t know him. If the man was trying to imply that Astrid...that he...
“Charlie.” Camellia shot Van a look, then shoved a large basket at Charlie. “Would you mind taking the rolls to the dining room? Van, darling, you can help me with the salad.”
Charlie headed toward the door Astrid and the girls had taken but he heard Camellia’s voice saying, “Van Kettner, don’t you push. Astrid deserves a man who sees her for the gift she is.”
“You mean, like you are? For me?” Van’s gruff tone left little room for misinterpretation.
“Exactly,” Camellia answered. “Now kiss me and get to work on that salad.”
Charlie didn’t look back. Instead, he pushed through the door and into the formal dining room of Hill house. Compared to the rest of the house, this room was stuffy and out of place. “Do you use this room often?”
Astrid was placing silverware beside each plate. “No.” She paused, considering. “I can’t remember the last time we used it, actually.” She shrugged, her gaze darting his way before returning to her task.
“Boy bees are called drones, Charlie. Did you know that?” Nova asked, putting a bee-embroidered linen napkin beside the plates Halley arranged. “They don’t doanything.” She sighed for added effect. “When the bees get low on food, the other bees kick the drones out so they don’t take it from the baby bees or the queen. They starve and die.” She emphasizeddiewith an extra dose of drama and paused in her napkin distribution. “All the other bees are girl bees.”
