Dane nodded in answer then walked farther into the beeyard. The air was vibrating, hundreds of honeybees flying back and forth from the hives to their chosen pollen source. Dane scanned the long rows of white hive boxes. The bees didn’t care about the fading white paint or aging wood or that the weathered ground tarps beneath their hives weren’t doing much in the way of protection, but Dane did. It wasn’t about the appearance, it was about the bees’ viability. Keeping the hives healthy and productive included strong hive boxes and solid ground cover—simple ways to keep pests at bay. Pests like small hive beetles, wax moths or the dreaded varroa mite. Every single one of the Texas Viking Honey beeyards needed some maintenance. It’d cost a pretty penny. Even though he was already exhausted and his father would probably push back, this was something that had to happen—soon.
Finding Leif and lead beekeeper, Birmingham, working over an open hive at the end of a row, instantly lifted Dane’s spirits.
“Leif learning the ropes?” Everett adjusted the veil, his gaze fixed on the golden bee flying back and forth in front of his face.
“I guess so.” Leif was here of his own accord, working the bees, doing something useful. This was progress, and Dane wasn’t going to screw things up by interfering. Leif wouldn’t want him hanging around and Birmingham wouldn’t appreciate Dane’s interruption, either.
Birmingham had been Texas Viking Honey’s lead beekeeper for almost forty years and, in all that time, his way of doing things hadn’t changed. The man didn’t take too kindly to anyone—especially “young-uns” like Dane—getting in his way or telling him how to work the bees. Not that Dane would ever do such a thing. As far as he was concerned, this place was just as much Birmingham’s home as it was his or Leif’s. “If anyone can handle Leif, it’s Birmingham.”
Everett chuckled. “Does the old man still thump you on the back of your head?”
“Only if you’re not paying attention or being disrespectful. And if he heard you calling him the old man, he’d knock you but good.” Dane grinned. “Leif might be a bit taller than Birmingham, but that won’t stop the old man from keeping him in line.” Dane hoped no head smacking would take place but, at this point... “It’s good for Leif. Hell, it’s good for both of them. Neither of them do too well with people.”
Everett chuckled.
Dane grinned but waved Everett back. “I don’t want either of them thinking I’m spying.” He led Everett around the yard, taking a new path that led back to the house.
“I’ve got news you might not like hearing.” Everett paused.
Dane stopped and turned, waiting.Dammit all. “About the permits?”
“No. Nothing like that.” Everett pulled off his gloves and bee veil. “It’s just that...well, Lorna might be out a little longer than we thought.” He held up his hands. “Before you get worked up, hear me out. I admit, I might have been having some fun asking you and Tansy to oversee the Junior Beekeepers together—but I never imagined the two of you wouldreallydo it. Not with two of you the way you...are with each other. I should have considered how stubborn you both are.”
“So, you’re saying...”
“You’re off the hook. Jenny is going to step in and take your place. She and Tansy get along and, let’s face it, Jenny has more energy than the two of us combined.” Everett shook his head. “My sister is the human embodiment of the Energizer bunny—with no off switch.”
“Hold up.” Dane frowned, sifting through Everett’s words.
“Weren’t you just telling me you’ve got more than you can handle here?” Everett gestured wide. “I figured you’d be relieved.”
I should be.Everettwasright, about everything. Dane shouldn’t be taking on more if he didn’t have to. So why was he feeling...disappointed? The answer wasn’t as much a mystery as he’d hoped. “I guess Tansy’s thrilled?”
“I haven’t talked to her yet.” Everett shrugged. “I wanted to clear it with you first, so I wasn’t speaking out of turn.”
“How about I tell her? We’ve got the barn painting tomorrow. It wouldn’t be right to leave her in the lurch for that.” After that? He had no idea. But finding Leif here today, with Birmingham, got Dane’s hopes up. Maybe his little brother would join Junior Beekeepers and find some friends—andtake an interest in his family’s legacy.
And Tansy? It wasn’t just about teasing her until her eye twitched or her face went red. It was about... It was probably best if he stopped himself there.
“Are you sure about that? Even with Willadeene Svoboda bringing out lunch tomorrow?” Everett started humming the Wicked Witch theme fromThe Wizard of Oz—he knew all about Dane’s nickname and opinion of the woman. “As a thank-you for all your hard work.”
“Another good reason for me to be there tomorrow.” He was supposed to leave Tansy and Leif to fend for themselves against that woman? That wasn’t going to happen. “I’d hate to disappoint her by not showing up.” He smiled.
“Her, Tansy or her, Willadeene?” Everett shot him a narrow-eyed look.
“Both, I guess.” Dane chuckled.
“What should I tell Jenny? Help out tomorrow? Or tell her to wait?” Everett paused. “She can be a little...outspoken at times and with you and TansyandWilladeene—”
“Alittleoutspoken?” Dane laughed. Jenny Taggert had grown up with four older brothers so she’d had no choice but to speak up for herself. As a result, she was a woman of strong opinions. But she was also a hard worker and, as Everett pointed out, had energy to spare. “Wearepainting the side of a big-ass barn so the more hands the better.” He shrugged. “Your call.”
After he gave Everett a quick tour of the honey house and Everett talked Dane into meeting him to play pool later that week, Everett took his leave—taking a jar of creamed clover honey with him.
Dane had a million things to do before the sun went down but first, he had to eat and hydrate. The later it got in May, the warmer the temperatures. The more he sweat out, the more water he put in. He pushed through the kitchen door and stopped, stunned to find his father sitting at the long wooden kitchen table.
“Dane.” His father kept flipping through a stack of papers on the table before him, his reading glasses perched on the end of his nose.
“Dad.” Dane headed for the refrigerator, pulling out a container of leftover roast. He’d followed Van’s directions and the results had been surprisingly delicious. “Hungry?” He grabbed a water bottle and honey crisp apple and paused for his answer.
