Page 79 of Must Love Bees
“It’s being repaired right now.” Did that mean there’d be no more dinners together? No more time with Nova and Halley? “And how did we get here from regrets? You said, ‘speaking of regrets.’”
“You know, you might regret it if you don’t jump his bones.” Nicole cocked her head to one side.
“Nicole.” Astrid could only stare at her. “I mean... Nicole.” She was not having this conversation with her.
Nicole couldn’t stop laughing. “Oh, your face.” She laughed even harder when Charlie’s car came around the bend. “Look who’s here.”
Nicole was her dear friend but she wasn’t averse to a good piece of gossip now and then. As much as she’d like to think Nicole would never spread gossip about her, she didn’t want to risk it. Especially since Charlie was as...skittish as he was.
“Charlie.” Nova ran onto the front porch, Ginger trailing behind her.
“Who’s that?” Ginger asked, standing behind one of the large wicker porch chairs.
“Charlie is my dad.” Nova was bouncing on the balls of her feet. “He’s kinda grumpy but he’s really sad.”
Astrid watched as Charlie parked the car, got out and headed their way. He wore his usual, pressed slacks and a crisply ironed button-down shirt. Beekeeper’s suit or business attire, he took her breath away.
“Why is he sad?” Nicole asked, glancing at Astrid.
“He gets sad lots—since Momma died.” Nova’s little face almost broke Astrid’s heart. “Me, too.”
“I know you miss her, Nova.” Astrid moved the cat into Nicole’s lap and slid off the swing. She held her arms out and Nova ran into them, hugging her tightly. “I miss my mom, too. I bet we always will. When I get really sad, I try to remember all the people around me that love me and want me to be happy.”
Nova smiled up at her. “Now I have lots of those. Like you. You and Aunt Camellilla and Aunt Mags and Tansy andeveryone.”
“That’s right.” Astrid nodded. “Everyone.”
“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked as he came up the porch steps. He glanced from Nova to her and back again.
“Hi, Charlie.” Nova skipped over to him and took his hand. “We were talking about Momma. Astrid misses her mom, too.”
Charlie hesitated, then nodded. “It’s good to talk about her.” He scooped her up. “She loves you. And she’s watching over you.”
“In the stars.” Nova hugged Scorpio close.
Charlie nodded.
“Oh, Charlie, Charlie.” She wriggled until he put her down. “I have a new friend.” She spun around, searching.
Ginger was crouching behind the chair.
“Ginger.” Nova marched over, took the girl’s hand and dragged her back to Charlie. “This is Charlie.”
Ginger used Nova as a shield. “Hi, Nova’s dad.”
“Hello, Ginger.” Charlie waved.
“We’re gonna go play.” Nova tugged Ginger back into the house, the screen door slamming behind them.
“And who is Ginger?” Charlie asked, his hands shoved into his pockets.
“My niece.” Nicole shook her head. “Well, she’s actually my cousin’s daughter but it’s easier to just say niece.”
“She’s staying with Nicole and Benji for a while.” Astrid waffled between returning to the swing with Nicole or sitting on the empty love seat in the hopes he’d sit beside her.
“What’s Halley up to?” He shifted from foot to foot, looking everywhere but at her.
“She went on a walk with Benji.” Nicole scratched Jammie’s head, oblivious to Charlie’s reaction.
