Tansy blinked, her complexion splotchy.
Let her go.Don’t say or do something you’ll regret. But he couldn’t help himself. “How’s the honey coming along? I’ve heard rumors Honey Hill Farms has some big new product in the works.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, noting the twitch in the corner of her right eye. “You should know, we’ve got one of the best batches of wildflower honey yet. Added a little something new this year ourselves. Should make for an interesting competition at the Honey Festival this year, don’t you think?”
She managed to keep her mouth shut, her jaw clenched tight.
“How about I get you a jar to take back with you?” he asked.
“No, thank you.” She ground out her answer.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” She shook her head. “You are a...”
“A generous neighbor?” He paused, enjoying himself. “An entrepreneur?”
Her answer was an angry grunt.
“How about a honey craftsman?” He cocked his head to the side, watching her as he pointed at his shirt. “A marketing genius.” His heather gray T-shirt was emblazoned with the Texas Viking Honey logo.
Tansy was staring at his chest now, her lips pressed into a thin white line.
“I can introduce you to my logo person, if you like?” he asked, noting the increasing twitch at the corner of her right eye.
“No.” She shook her head, her voice quivering as she managed, “I wouldnotlike.”
“Did I do something to offend you?” He’d been having a hard time holding back laughter but once their eyes locked, he was done for. The mix of incredulity and anger was beyond gratifying. He laughed out loud.
Leif laughed, too, though he was still hiding behind the boxes.
She was fuming. “Stop it.” She held her hands up. “Just stop. I’m leaving. I should have known you wouldn’t listen to a thing I have to say—even if you should.” Her voice was shaking. “You can go find someone else to ridicule.” She turned on her booted heel and marched back to her scratched and dented truck, slamming the driver’s side so hard it echoed in the quiet of the country.
He waved, still smiling, until her truck disappeared down the road, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
“That?” Leif emerged from behind the boxes. “That was freaking awesome.” He chuckled and went back to checking off boxes, still smiling.
Awesome, huh?Before she’d arrived, he’d been teaching Leif how important the family business was. About respect and responsibility... Then she got here and all that went out the window. “No, it was mean.” He sighed. When it came to Tansy, his brain shorted out and his mouth took over. Today was a perfect example of that. “I was mean.” Then again, she had come over raring for a fight.
“Whatever.” Leif rolled his eyes.
But once the dust died down and no sign of Tansy Hill remained, Leif went back to scowling and sighing and being sullen and Dane went back to work. It was times like this he wished he was still in Dallas, wearing a suit and tie, and wining and dining prospective marketing clients. He’d been on the fast track.
Ancienthistory.
It wasn’t the first time he had to do everything on his own—it likely wouldn’t be the last. Apparently, it was too much to hope that his father would get invested in this project or that the good people of Honey, Texas, would stop spreading the completely false information his father’s most recent ex-wife was happily dispersing to anyone with ears. It was also ridiculous to hope his little brother would give him the slightest break. Which made itbeyondridiculous to think his interfering, holier-than-thou neighbor would ever be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
The best way to handle all of this? Succeed. Make Texas Viking Honey & Riverside Cabins so important to the community that no one, not even the great Tansy Hill, could ever ignore or belittle or dismiss him again.
CHAPTER TWO
“IT’STOOBADyou can’t train bees.” Tansy stood amongst the mesquite trees, surrounded by low buzzing. “Attack bees could be pretty awesome. Assassin bees sound even better.”
“Tansy.” Astrid’s tone was disapproving. “That goes completely against their nature.”
“A girl can dream.” She stared up into the prickly branches and the bees flying to and fro in the sunlight. “I’m teasing. You know I’m teasing.” She breathed deep, letting the energy and light and peace settle her. Spending time with the bees always made her feel grounded.
Normally, a bee swarm wasn’t good news. It was up to the beekeeper to monitor the hives and anticipate when things were getting too crowded or when a new queen was coming. That way, they could split the hive—without worrying over a swarm and potentially losing bees. But there was no guarantee. Poppa Tom had told them over and over how bees loved to surprise their keepers. He’d said it was the bees’ way of reminding us who was really in charge. Tansy didn’t mind. If anything, she appreciated the focus and quiet needed for the two of them to help the bees relocate safely.
“Let me guess, the bees told you they were looking for a new home?” Tansy asked softly, teasing, watching her sister’s face through the mesh attached to her wide-brimmed straw hat. Astrid, too, had her bee hat on with her veil down while they set up. But even with two layers of mesh blurring Astrid’s features, Tansy recognized her sister’s triumphant smile easily enough.
