Page 66 of Must Love Bees
“Be nice.” Kerrielynn frowned. “Also, let me remind you he has, like, the highest GPA in the whole school. Which means his brain is great, Nova. Don’t you worry.”
“Whew.” Nova took a deep breath. “I’m glad. You know brains are important.”
“He knows, Nova.” Halley shook her head. “What’s your favorite movie?”
“I don’t haveone.” But Benji sat back, contemplating the question.
“He has many.” Nicole looked up from the knitting pattern she’d spread out on the side table. Shelby and Nicole were determined to learn how to knit. And since knitting was something Aunt Camellia could do with her eyes closed, she’d offered to help teach them. “I can tell you which ones he’s watched over and over.” She stared at the knot of yarn hanging off one of her knitting needles.
“Oh, dear.” Camellia eyed the knot. “How did that happen?”
“Natural talent, I guess.” Nicole handed over the knitting needle.
“Which movies?” Halley emphasized the plural.
Nicole started rattling off a list of movies but Astrid was distracted by the way Charlie propped his arm on the table. Resting along her arm. There were so many of them squished in, tight, around the table it wouldn’t necessarily be obvious to anyone watching. But it was to Astrid. Charlie didn’t touch, even accidentally. Unless he wanted to.
She glanced his way—to find him studying her arm. His expression was unreadable. True Charlie. He seemed transfixed, his gaze leisurely running down the inside of her arm to her wrist. Then he glanced her way. His eyes gave him away. The hunger, the fire, was for her. And it was exhilarating.
“We saw that at the movie theater, didn’t we, Astrid?” Tansy asked.
“What movie?” Astrid scrambled. There were other people in the room. A whole lot of other people, actually. That Charlie was looking at her, like that, with such an audience was more than a little surprising. And delightful.
Tansy was smiling from ear to ear. “The last Thor movie.”
Dane shot her a look. “How do you always manage to slip Thor into every conversation?”
“Not every conversation. But, if I do, it’s because he looks like you.” She leaned against Dane’s well-muscled shoulder. “Remember, Astrid? The one where Dane won the Thor lookalike contest—even though he didn’t enter.” She fluttered her eyes. “My big, hunky superhero.”
Dane kissed the tip of her nose. “That’s me.”
“Gag.” Leif made a series of choking noises. “Get a room.”
“I guess the rain has put a wrinkle in your weekend getaway to Weaver Bee Farm?” Astrid knew Tansy had been looking forward to it. A lot.
“There are other weekends.” Dane draped an arm along the back of Tansy’s chair, his hand resting on her shoulder.
“What happens when it rains? For the bees, I mean?” Charlie asked, drawing all eyes his way.
Was he really curious or was he being polite? Astrid was so excited, her words floundered.
“They take shelter,” Dane started. “They’re really good at sensing a weather change so, on days like today, they’re prepared.”
“What if a bee gets stuck outside the hive?” Halley moved her token and counted out money to buy the property she’d landed on.
“They’ll take shelter somewhere and wait it out.” Astrid glanced at the window. “But Dane’s right. Most honey bees stay close to home when a big front rolls.”
“Astrid has a sixth sense about bees.” Tansy smiled. “We call her the Bee Whisperer.”
“Do you whisper to the bees?” Nova used her not-so-soft whisper voice.
“She does. And she uses her manners, too.” Tansy leaned forward, her face animated. “Last time we collected a hive—”
“From the barbecue thingie?” Nova asked.
“Yes, that.” Tansy nodded. “We tried and tried to find the queen. I was ready to give up and try again later, but Astrid is stubborn.”
“Determined,” Astrid cut in.
