Page 60 of Honey Be Mine
“You wouldn’t know what to do if she didn’t tell you,” Leif jumped in, ever quick to defend Kerrielynn.
“I sure wouldn’t know what to do.” Halley shrugged. “All this bee stuff is still new to me.”
“How are you liking the whole beekeeping thing?” Everett knew this was a topic near and dear to Rosebud’s heart. With any luck, it would be just the thing to distract Rosebud from the man smiling too big and talking too loudly.
“It’s a lot.” Halley sighed. “I don’t want to mess up.”
“That’s the great thing about being in a family of beekeepers, Halley. You’ve got tons of resources close by.” Rosebud’s smile was encouraging. “I’m happy to help out whenever I can.”
“Really? Thanks, Aunt Rosemary. I mean, I know you’re super busy, though. Kerrielynn told me you’re like, a big deal in the bee industry—I mean, in apiculture. Now you’ve got your job and your book and the bees and all.”
“I’ll never be too busy for you. You’re my niece, Halley. I’ve never had a niece before. I’d love to spend more time with you. Whether we’re talking bees or not.” Rosemary’s surprised expression gave way to pleasure when Halley hugged her.
“Cool,” Halley said, giving her a solid squeeze before letting her go. “I’d like that, too.”
Kerrielynn and Halley took Rosemary up on her offer, instantly bombarding her with beekeeping questions. Everett was grateful. She was most at ease when she was talking bees.
“Seriously, who are you offering me up to pummel?” Dane whispered to Tansy.
“Dr. Voigt over there.” Tansy practically spit out the words.
“Got it.” Dane shrugged. “Yeah, he looks like an asshole.”
“That’s a bad word.” Everett pointed at Nova, who was reading one of Rosemary’s books to Astrid’s stomach.
“Right.” Dane winced. “I don’t think she heard me this time.”
But Everett was more concerned about the man in question. “What, exactly, did this Dr. Voigt guy do?” He studied the man. “Were he and Rosemary...a thing?” Had the bastard hurt her? If he had... He didn’t want to think about that.
“You’re not going to need me.” Dane chuckled. “Everett’s got this.”
Everett turned to find both Dane and Tansy watching him.
“Oh, Everett.” Tansy sighed, her gaze darting to her sister, then Dr. Voigt. “He was her project mentor in California. That lost funding?” She shrugged. “He’s also a real...”
“Asshole,” Dane whispered. “No doubt.”
Nothing Tansy shared explained a thing or eased his worries. If anything, he was feeling more protective than ever.
Nicole came over to the booth with a satisfied smile on her face. “I’m happy to report that our booth is the best.” She gave two thumbs-up. “And we’ve got about ten minutes before the opening keynote. Anyone free to hold seats? There are a lot of us.”
“I’ll go.” Astrid stood and took Nova’s hand. “I can sit anywhere. Anyone else?”
“Everett, you and Rosemary can go.” Tansy smiled. “We’ll make sure the kids get everything done here and meet you inside, Rosemary?”
“Fine by me.” Everett nodded and looked to Rosebud. The more space he could put between her and this Dr. Voigt character, the better. “Come on, Rosebud. You can catch me up on your first week of work.”
“Okay.” Her smile wasn’t fully charged, but there was color in her cheeks—that was a start.
Walking through the convention center hall was educational. Other than acknowledging the importance of the honeybee, Everett had never fully understood the beekeeping industry. There was honey, of course. Honey as far as the eye could see. Flavored honey straws, creamed honey, sweet or savory honey, and more. But there was more to it than that. Walking by booth after booth, he paused to look at the products, equipment, and keeper suits on display.
“You looking for anything while you’re here?” Everett asked, holding out the sleeve of a camouflage beekeeping suit.
“Not that.” Rosebud’s brows rose and she shook her head. “I am looking for queen-rearing equipment.”
“Right. Sure. Okay.” He nodded. “And that would be what, exactly?”
She grinned. “Grafting tools. Queen cell holder frames. If I’m going to do this with the Junior Beekeepers, I want them to have hands-on experience trying both methods.”
