Page 59 of Honey Be Mine
“Hey, yourself.” She smiled. He’d just arrived, and he was already offering to drive an hour and a half back to Honey. “You will not be going anywhere. Except that chair—to relax.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sat and grinned up at her. “What’s going on?” He nodded at the group clustered around Astrid.
There was no reason for her to be shy about her book—this was Everett and her family and friends. And yet she was. “There was a mix-up, and the book I wrote for Bea and Nuc is here.”
He was up out of his chair and joining the others.
She stood, flooded with insecurity. She wished the box of books wasn’t here, that everyone who mattered wasn’t reading it, and most important, that they liked her little book. Not that it was for them. It wasn’t. And yet, she was proud that her idea had turned into a real live book that her nieces and nephews might enjoy.
“We’re live at the Annual Texas Beekeepers Convention and it’s story time.” Kerrielynn had her phone out again. “Look at this beautiful little story about the bees by Rosemary Hill.”
Oh no.Rosemary was frozen. The books were for family—not this...
“Come on, Nova, let’s read.” Everett sat, looking bigger than usual with little Nova perched on his lap. “‘A is for Astrid, that gives bees sweet pollen.’” He held up the book, pointing at Rosemary’s detailed illustration of the flower and buzzing bees. He turned the book back and continued reading, “‘B is for bees and baking, things full of rich honey.’” He turned the book again, showing the bees circling a plate of cookies and a jar of honey.
While Everett kept reading to Nova—and anyone who happened to be watching Kerrielynn’s live stream—Rosemary’s discomfort gave way to something else. Every single one of her friends and family were reading a copy of her little book and smiling at her pictures. Sure, it could be that they loved her and would support her no matter what. But what if the book was actually good? What if her little bee book could do big things? The sort of things Poppa Tom would be proud of. Not just for her nieces and nephews but a whole new generation of beekeepers?
“This is beautiful, Rosebud.” There it was again—the Everett smile that turned her into a puddle. “I’m proud of you.”
Rosemary let those words roll over her before soaking them in. He was proud of her. And for the first time in a long time, she was proud of herself, too.
WHENDANEHADsuggested Everett come with him to this weekend’s beekeeper’s convention, his yes came out without a second’s hesitation. He needed a break from Honey and the paintball nightmare, Mayor Contreras putting too much on him, trying to appease damn near everyone, and the fiasco with the flowers, cards, and emails from what must be every single woman in the county. He’d more than earned a break.
But the primary reason for coming was this right here. Seeing Rosebud. And that smile, that bashful pride over her creation and the praise she was getting, made him oh so glad he was here to see it.
“Can I read it, Everett?” Nova took the book out of his hands and flipped it back to the beginning. “I can try to read it to you.”
“Why don’t you read it to me?” Astrid patted her lap. “And the baby.”
“Okay. Next time, okay, Everett?” Nova smiled as she climbed down from his lap and hurried to Astrid’s side, the book clutched to her chest. “Nuc, Nuc, Aunt Rosemary wrote a book for us.”
Rosemary’s laugh was soft, an expression of wonderment settling on her beautiful face. Until it was gone. In a span of five seconds, she’d gone from glowing and proud to white as a ghost and agitated. Whoever or whatever had caught her attention wasn’t good.
He turned, looking behind him to see a group gathered around a man. The man looked familiar. It took a minute for Everett to place him. He was the guy on the beekeeper’s convention brochure.The brochure that upset Rosebud so much.
It hadn’t been the brochure. It had been this guy.
He stood and came to stand at Rosebud’s side—not that she seemed to notice. Her jaw was tight, her hands were clasped in front of her, and her gaze was glued on the man. So this guy wasdefinitelythe problem. Whoever he was, Everett didn’t like him.
“Rosemary, this is precious,” Tansy gushed. “Not enough to make me want to have kids anytime soon, but eventually, this will be their favorite book.” She did a double take. “Rose?”
“Yes?” The word erupted from Rosebud. “I’m sorry?”
Tansy frowned, staring in the direction Rosemary was looking. “You know, Dane could totally take him. And probably make it look like an accident.”
“Who am I taking?” Dane asked, cracking his knuckles.
Everett knew who, he just didn’t know why. He wanted to know. Badly.
“No one.” Rosemary’s whisper was vehement. “Let’s forget it.” She took an unsteady breath.
Damn, he didn’t like this. She was upset. Really upset.
Rosebud hurried on to say, “We should finish getting the booth set up—”
“We’ve got it.” Kerrielynn was armed with a clipboard and pen. “The deal was we help out if we come to the convention, so we’re helping out. I’ve got a list.” She tapped the clipboard with a pen.
“And we know better than to argue with her.” But Benji was smiling. “She can get real bossy, real quick.”
