Dane sighed.Yes. Yes, it was. It was a hell of a lot better than what he’d been picturing—Leif doing something foolish or bad or illegal. But dammit, that didn’t suddenly make Leif’s disappearing act okay. His little brother was still grounded from his fight. That meant he was supposed to be working at the farm for the next month—notvolunteering. Something he and Leif had talked about after Leif had driven them home. Dane had made his expectations perfectly clear. That way there was no confusion. Leif had done this deliberately. But why?
How had Leif even gotten here?He couldn’t drive yet. As far as Dane knew, Clay Dwyer was the only one he knew with a car and license. He was pretty sure that wasn’t an option anymore. One more question to add to his growing list.
“It’s great he’s lending a hand.” Tansy slipped the neck loop of her apron over her head.
It’s frigging wonderful.Dane frowned, eyeing the bright blue apron with white daisies and bees.Tansy and her bees.
“Maybe you can convince him to join the Junior Beekeepers, too.” Tansy reached around her waist to secure her apron but lost one tie and floundered for it, turning in a circle to reach for it.
Dane watched, shoving his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t tie her apron. He didn’t need to—she had a sister and friend and young protégé all able and willing to do so.Any second now.He waited, his hands fisting.
“Oops, stop spinning.” Astrid laughed, grabbing the ties and making a nice bow in the middle of Tansy’s back. “There.”
He blew out a slow breath, smiling as the two sisters laughed. Siblings. Getting along.Imagine that.It could happen. Before he could look away, Tansy’s green eyes met his for a second. But, for that second, Dane wasn’t sure which way was up. Tansy was smiling at him. A real smile, without a hint of teasing or hostility. She’d never been more beautiful.
He tore his gaze from hers and sucked in a ragged breath. Heneededto grab Leif and leave—now—and deal with the damn hive beetles chewing through his hives.
“Well, I just wanted to say hi,” Kerrielynn said. “And to thank you both, again, for helping out. It’s, um, way cool. And thanks for letting Leif help out, too.” She smiled up at Dane. “He’s the GOAT. I don’t know how we’d get everything done without him.”
Great. “Sure.” He nodded, sighing as the girl walked back the way she’d come. To Tansy, he said, “The GOAT?”
“Greatest of all time.” She nudged him. “At least you know where he is now.”
“Yeah.” He glanced down at her. She was smiling up at him as if all his problems were solved.I wish.“I guess I’m supposed to forget he took off without telling me and I’m not supposed to drag his butt home, to do what he’s supposed to be doing because he’s grounded for fighting at school.” Why did she have to look so damn beautiful when she smiled? His throat went tight.
“Oh, Dane.” Tansy nibbled on the inside of her lower lip, her gaze searching his. “That’s a tough call.”
His name echoed in his ears. She’d said it, without sarcasm or heat, and he liked the sound of it. Everything was off. Watching her worry her lip with her teeth didn’t help. The knot in his throat turned jagged and an uncomfortably heavy warmth pressed in on his chest. “Whatever.” He ran a hand over his face but it didn’t help. He could still see her mouth. More specifically, her teeth nibbling the swell of her pink lower lip...Enough.
“You owe me.” He didn’t know why he said it only that he needed to feel like he was in control in some small way.What a joke.
Tansy stared up at him, the slightest crease between her brows. “I...I know.” And she didn’t look happy about it.
Abrupt or not, he turned on his heel and walked back through the tent maze toward the parking lot. He had a lot weighing on him, he was tired and on edge and hadn’t had near enough coffee for half of what he’d dealt with since he’d rolled out of bed. That was why he was out of sorts. A little space, some hard work, he’d get his head straight in no time. Then he’d see this whole thing between Tansy and him wasn’t a thing at all. It was...nothing to worry about. He climbed into his truck, started the engine and turned on the radio.
Peter Gabriel’s soulful voice flooded his truck cab. “Perfect.” He ran a hand over his face and started laughing. He knew every word to the damn ballad “In Your Eyes.” Why? Because it had beenherfavorite song. He’d wanted to take her to prom, put in a request so they could dance to the song, and sing it—for her ears alone. He’d been such a damn fool, too young and naive to realize his heart was about to be broken. “A lifetime ago,” he murmured. He turned off the radio and made the long drive home in silence.
LEIFSAWKERRIELYNNround the end of the row of tents and canopies, headed his way. He swallowed against the tightness of his throat, doing his best to act normal—then knocking over a container of paintbrushes. He knelt, shoving the brushes back into the container.
“You need help?” Kerrielynn asked.
“I’m good,” he murmured, not looking up.I’m a moron. He finished collecting the brushes and stood, putting the container on top of the folding table.
“I think Tansy Hill is, like, the coolest human being in all of Honey.” Kerrielynn had a large to-go coffee cup in each hand. “It’s hot chocolate.” She offered Leif one.
“Thanks.” It was already around eighty degrees but he wasn’t going to say no.
“I mean, I’ve always knownwhoshe was. If you’re into bees and live around here, you know who the Hills are.” She glanced his way. “And Texas Viking Honey, too. Your brother and the whole Thor thing.”
Leif didn’t manage to hide his smile. “He really hates that.”
“He does?” Kerrielynn faced him as she sipped her hot chocolate. “Why? It’s a compliment, isn’t it? And, you know, I’m betting it helps with sales.”
“I think so.” Leif remembered the long lines of customers waiting to get a selfie—and a jar of honey.
“Interesting.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “Can I ask a question? About your brother and Tansy.” Kerrielynn sat her cup aside and squirted red paint into a plastic cup. “What’s that about?”
Like I know. He shrugged. “They don’t like each other.”
