Page 54 of Must Love Bees
“Affection,” Halley murmured.
Astrid’s heart hurt over this newest revelation. Poor Charlie. “Did you tell Charlie that you and Sean are just friends?”
Halley’s cheeks went a little pink. “I guess we’re sort of more than friends.”
“Sean has a car.” Nova took a huge leap over one of the flat flagstones. “A big, loud car. And a teeny-tiny mustache.”
Mustache aside, the car meant Sean was a bit older than Halley. That, alone, wasn’t reason enough to condemn Halley’s relationship. Something told her there was more to this story.
A chorus of whimpers and barks and a stampede of wagging tails greeted them halfway across the front yard.
“Good morning.” Nova set about giving each dog a pat and smile. “Good morning. I’ll play with you in a minute. I’m hungry.”
“I hope so.” Astrid led them up the porch steps. “Aunt Camellia was making enough for an army.”
The girls went inside but Astrid lingered. There, off on the horizon, was a streak of gray. It wasn’t much to look at but it was enough. Rain. Finally. The earth needed a good, quenching drink. The bees would be thankful. It should also cool things down a few degrees. That was something they could all be thankful for.
“Expecting someone?” Tansy asked, leaning out the door.
“No.” She went inside.
“I wasn’t sure if lover boy was joining us this morning?” Tansy nudged her. “It wouldn’t be so bad. Last night, he was sort of normal.”
“Sort of?” Astrid thought he’d been perfectly charming—if a little shy.
“Not all of us are as swoony over him the way you are.” Tansy batted her eyes. “Oh, Charlie, tell me about your all-important code and I’ll throw food at you.”
Astrid was laughing then.
“Just promise me you won’t actually fall for him, Astrid. He doesn’t strike me as someone who’d be okay living in Honey. And I can’t imagine you ever leaving home.” She hugged Astrid close. “Bottom line, I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Astrid hugged her sister back. It was hard to imagine him here permanently. And Honey was everything to her. But she couldn’t promise her sister she wouldn’t fall for Charlie—it was too late.
CHARLIEHADHISphone on speaker, the tinny on-hold music spilling out into the otherwise quiet dining room. He was pacing—it helped keep his anxiety attack at bay. Speaking to either of his sisters took focus and effort. Even a brief conversation triggered the inadequacies and insecurities of his youth. But there was no helping it. He had the feeling his sister Lindsay and her husband, Theodore Stinson III, were up to something and he didn’t want to be blindsided.
Lindsay and her husband owned Stinson Properties. Wheeling and dealing and raking in the dough. According to Lindsay, that is. They had three teen boys who excelled in sports. It was important that everyone knew she and Theo were successful and had a perfect family.
Blair, the eldest sibling, was a plastic surgeon—like their father. Unlike their father, she didn’t spendallof her time and money on herself. She had a successful clinic in California with a rich and famous clientele but she also did charity work. Last he’d heard, she was doing reconstructive surgeries for children who were victims in conflict areas.
His sisters were competitive to the point of ridiculousness. If Blair was happy, Lindsay was not. And vice versa. His father had encouraged them, believing healthy competition provided the incentive to work harder. As a result, Charlie’s childhood soundtrack was mostly his sisters yelling and screaming and fighting—which was how most of their family holidays still ended.
“Charlie? What a surprise. I don’t think you’ve ever called me before.” Lindsay always sounded like she was selling something.
“Did your man go to the hospital?” He saw no reason to beat around the bush. “The one that was trespassing.”
She didn’t sound the least bit upset. “We don’t know who owns what so,technically, I have just as much a right to be there as you do.”
Charlie wasn’t going to get pulled into a debate with her. “Did he go to the hospital?”
“He did. It turns out that many bee stings can be quite dangerous.” She sighed. “I’m surprised you’re letting those pests stay on the property. Heather and Natalie could get hurt.”
She knew the girls’ names but insisted on getting them wrong just to get under his skin. “What’s Stinson Properties’ sudden interest in Honey? A little off the beaten path for you and Theo, isn’t it?”
“We go where the money is, Charlie. Do you have any idea how much Rebecca’s property is worth? Or what a gem that little town is? Rebecca’s neighbors are sort of famous, you know. Which makes the property and town even more valuable. It could be the next Fredericksburg—if it’s developed the right way.”
Initially, he’d been fine selling to Lindsay. But now he didn’t like the idea of his sister and Theo getting their hands on any part of Honey. “How’s that going?”
“Oh, you know me. It’ll take a little persuasion, but it’ll happen.” She sighed. “Theo and I will be there next Friday. The reading of the will is still the following Saturday?”
