“He’s out installing the new clothes dryer in the garage.” Lorna lowered her voice, glancing at the back door. “I’m happy the dryer arrived before the baby did.” She ran a hand over her stomach. “But I’m also happy there’s something to keep him busy—and not hovering.”
Astrid laughed.
“I appreciate the food, especially when y’all have company staying with you.” Lorna put the last container into the freezer and closed the door.
“Company?” Tansy took the empty insulation bag from the woman. “Nope. Just us Bee Girls. And, you know, Aunt Camellia’s gazillion animals.”
Lorna laughed, placing her hands on her stomach. “Bud saw a woman in town when he was picking up the dryer. He said, from her red hair, she had to be a Hill.”
Astrid pulled a long strand of her hair over her shoulder. “It’s a rare natural color but, to Aunt Mags’s horror, you can almost get her exact shade from one of those at-home color kits.”
Lorna chuckled and rested her hand on her back, her stomach sticking out even farther. Tansy tried not to stare. “I really appreciate you and Dane covering for me, Tansy. I can’t help but feel a little guilty about this—Everett and his weird sense of humor. It’s no secret how you two feel about each other.” Lorna headed around the kitchen counter. “I’ve got everything all boxed up over here. I tried to color-code things and highlight what’s most important.”
“You didn’t have to do all that, Lorna.” Tansy hurried to take the banker’s box before Lorna reach for it.
“Sure I did.” Lorna shrugged. “The meeting is one thing—the barn painting is another thing altogether.” She patted the box. “But don’t worry, I made a copy of the binder for Dane and already had it delivered to him, too.”
Great. Meaning it was unlikely he’d forget and leave her to do the Junior Beekeepers stuff herself—as she’d hoped.
“Tomorrow is just a regular meeting, but the barn painting is...more. I’ve already got all the permission slips signed and most of the supplies picked up and stored at the school. Dane can pick up the paint.” Lorna rubbed her back, a slight furrow on her brow. “I think I’ve covered everything.”
“I’m sure you have.” Tansy offered the woman a smile.
Lorna nodded, smiling in return. “At least you two will be on the same page—for this.”
“That would be a first.” Tansy tried to joke but saw the concern on Lorna’s face. “I’m teasing. We will be fine, Lorna, please don’t worry. Dane and I can act like adults.”
Astrid shot her a disbelieving look.
“Hehasgrown up some.” Lorna slowly lowered herself into a well-padded kitchen chair. “His little brother was in my biology class last year so I’ve been able to see the lengths he’s gone to to help Leif. That kid can be a real...challenge.” She took a slow breath and went on. “Dane has met with teachers, talked to the counselor and principal—you name it.” She glanced at Tansy. “I know I shouldn’t like him but I sort of do. Dane, I mean.” She held up her thumb and forefinger. “A little.”
“That’s so nice of him,” Astrid murmured, using the pause in conversation to ask Lorna about her pregnancy and the baby and steer them away from the topic of Dane.
But Tansy pondered Lorna’s words. Dane Knudson would always be an ever-present thorn in her side but she couldn’t fault his brotherly devotion. Tansy had said she’d cover the next few months’ Junior Beekeepers activities and she would. Since there was no way of removing Dane from the situation, she’d have to make the best of it. As long as Dane kept the hair and the tight shirts and goading in check, theymightbe able to pull it off. It was a stretch, no doubt about it. But Lorna, in her very poppable state, didn’t need to worry about a thing. She and Dane were both adults. They could do this. They could. Maybe if she kept saying it, eventually she’d believe it.
DANEHADREADthrough the color-coded binder Lorna’s husband had delivered with wide-eyed appreciation. He’d love to have someone as detail-oriented and thorough as Lorna Franks to help out at Texas Viking Honey. She’d included a club roster, their calendar and meeting expectations—which Dane realized was code for “rules.” All of the Junior Beekeepers Club members had signed a contract saying they understood and accepted these rules so he didn’t think there would be any problems.
Except for Leif. “No phones,” Dane said again. He’d explained no phones was one of the Junior Beekeepers rules, but Leif didn’t give a crap. His little brother had made it clear he had no interest in attending or participating. Dane had made it equally clear Leif didn’t have a choice.
For the last two hours, Leif had alternated between muttering under his breath and openly glaring at Dane. Like now, as he shoved his phone into his pocket. His sigh was long and loud and left no room for misunderstanding.
Yeah, I get it. You don’t want to be here. We don’t always get what we want, kiddo.
Dane walked along the path from the high school to the large metal barn in the back field. It had been replaced since his days at Honey High School. Now the building housed all the expanded agricultural programs offered at the school. In a ranching and farming community like Honey, there were plenty of options to choose from.
Leif sighed again and slowed, dropping back to trail after Dane.
Dane was at his wit’s end, but there was no help for it. Since Leif’s fight with the Dwyer boy earlier in the week, Dane was in full-on hover mode. After their enjoyable drive home from school the day of the fight, Leif had gone back to resenting him, big-time. And Dane didn’t know what else to do. He had chalked up Leif’s behavior as some sort of rebellious stage but...what if there was more to it? He’d dismissed the counselor’s questions but what if Dane was wrong.WasLeif involved with drugs? Drinking? Keeping Leif close—like dragging him to the Junior Beekeepers meeting—was Dane’s only option.
The whole situation sucked. Not just the Leif part, but the Tansy Hill part. If he was being honest with himself, he’d signed on to help out with the Junior Beekeepers in large part because he enjoyed tormenting Tansy. Juvenile or not, there was something truly rewarding about watching her go beet red and sputtering with fury.Probably because she tried to act so damn superior all the time.
But, as he sipped his morning coffee, he’d accepted that he couldn’t pester or tease Tansy during the Junior Beekeepers meeting. He was an adult, a sort of role model, and he had to act like it. For Tansy and him that meant calling a truce. The idea was hard to swallow but he hadn’t been able to come up with any other solution.
He turned, waiting for Leif to amble close to the door before pulling it wide. A wave of overlapping, excited voices and youthful laughter greeted them. With a final sigh and an extra-long death glare Dane’s way, Leif stepped inside. Dane stared up at the fading sky, took a deep breath and followed him in.
Other than Leif, his only experience with teenagers was that he’d been one. It was a hell of a nice surprise to find that there wasn’t a single sullen, eye-rolling, exasperated youth amongst the group.
Well, other than Leif.
