Page 91 of Must Love Bees
Halley had sent her a handful of texts. She’d had fun with Kerrielynn and really liked Crissy, who was her age. Another was all about how Charlie had taken them on a bike ride around the lake. And that Nova had made it down the drive without her training wheels before falling over. And each and every text ended with how much she and Nova missed her. Astrid had replied to them all, sending words of encouragement and strings of happy emojis. She was genuinely happy that Charlie was making time for the girls—she wanted him to have a strong relationship with them.
But it hurt that Charlie didn’t reach out.
She didn’t regret telling him how she felt. She did love him. She loved him and she missed his beautiful reluctant smiles and his frequentaccidentaltouches.
“Is that right?” Aunt Magnolia asked, stooped behind the glass front counter of the Hill Honey Boutique.
“Move the skep a little bit forward.” The case showcased tools of the trade from the previous Hills. An old cone basket, called a skep, that was once used to keep hives. There was one metal pot and one ceramic pot, peppered with holes, and a bellows pump. All three items served as smokers of the past. Her great-grandpa Norman’s pair of elbow-length calfskin gloves and canvas smock with a mesh hood were also on display. Both Mags and Camellia treated each and every item with special care. She waited until her aunt had moved the old beehive basket. “Perfect.”
“Thank you.” Magnolia closed the case and came around front to inspect her handiwork.
Astrid glanced at the almost empty basket in front of her, then the digital inventory list on her tablet. How many times had she lost her place? The plan was to stay so busy, she wouldn’t have time to think about Charlie. The plan didn’t seem to be working.
“Astrid.” Aunt Magnolia tapped the duster handle on the countertop until Astrid looked her way. “Are you okay?”
Astrid forced a smile. “Of course.” She went back to scanning the tablet in her arms. “We need to order more bee buttons. And we need to start thinking about winter items. Are we going to do mail-order holiday-themed gift baskets this year?”
Aunt Magnolia and Aunt Camellia exchanged looks.
“We’re still discussing.” Aunt Magnolia wasn’t a fan of taking risks. She preferred sticking with what worked.
“I don’t think there’s much left to discuss.” Aunt Camellia was unloading the cardboard box of decorative pot holders onto a display rack. “Tansy is going to be onWake Up, America. She’s got them coming here to take a tour of the Hill Honey Boutique. I say we strike while the iron is hot.”
“We’d have to hire extra manpower to assemble the baskets. And cover postage. I’m not certain we’d break even, let alone come out ahead.” Aunt Magnolia stopped dusting the contents of the glass cabinet.
“If we don’t see a profit, then we know not to do it again.” Aunt Camellia carried the now-empty box behind the counter.
Astrid watched the conversation volley back and forth between her aunts. When it came to business, they both had strong opinions but Astrid had faith they’d work it out. Her aunts never fought, they discussed. Even if they disagreed, they remained respectful and kind. Astrid and her sisters had taken their example to heart and tried to do the same.
“We have time.” She scanned the order. “Unless you can think of anything else, I think we can go ahead and place our order.”
“I’m sure you’ve thought of everything.” Aunt Camellia glanced at the large clock on the wall. “Time to open.”
Thursday was the beginning of the shopping weekend. And with the long, hot days of the Texas summer dragging on, families and tourists were trying to fit in one more holiday before the break was over.
Honey, Texas, had always been a Hill Country tourist destination but having Wholesome Foods sponsoring the last Honey Festival had brought national attention to the town—and the honey that made the region so famous. The Hill Honey Boutique had benefitted greatly. People wanted to buy their blue-ribbon honey and meet one of the all-female Hill beekeepers.
Aunt Magnolia stowed away the cleaning supplies while Aunt Camellia unlocked the front door.
“Good morning.” The door swung open the minute Camellia had unlocked it. “Oh, Theo, isn’t this the cutest shop?” The woman, tall and blonde and very well put together, clasped her hands—showing off extra-long manicured nails that sparkled. “Look, bees everywhere.”
“It’s something.” Theo trailed after her. He was shorter than the woman, balding, and wore a neon-orange golf shirt and khaki cargo shorts.
“Welcome.” Aunt Camellia was all smiles. “First time visiting Honey?”
“It is.” The woman nodded. “I’ve read up on it, though. Your little town is all over the internet, but I guess you know that since so much of it is about the famous Hill family. What a charming place.” She was scanning the boutique. “I’m Lindsay. This is my husband, Theodore. You might know my brother, Charlie.”
Astrid’s head popped up. Lindsay? Lindsay as in Charlie’s sister. Astrid hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on Charlie’s phone conversation, but the woman had been so loud the entire kitchen had heard. While it was clear the siblings weren’t close, it hadn’t been what was said that worried her. It’d been Charlie’s reaction.
“I believe he’s your neighbor—for the time being.” Lindsay turned her dazzling smile on Aunt Magnolia, then Astrid.
“Charlie is your brother?” Camellia, being Camellia, hugged the woman. “That makes you almost family.”
“Oh?” Lindsay blinked rapidly, looking confused. “Does it?”
“He’s a dear boy. And his girls are just precious.” Aunt Camellia glanced Astrid’s way. “They’ve gotten quite close to our Astrid.”
“Charles didn’t mention he was having company.” Aunt Mags looked to Astrid for confirmation.
