“If you’ll excuse me.” Tansy couldn’t let Shelby leave—not without trying to talk to her. “I have to do something.”
Dane frowned at her. “Everything okay?”
“A-okay here.” She smiled at Annie. “Don’t forget your cookie, Annie. You can give my cookie box to Will.”
She was out of the children’s area before anyone could say a word. A half a dozen scenarios played through her head before she reached Shelby’s side. But once Shelby turned her way, and those green eyes met hers, all that came out was, “Shelby? Hi.”
Shelby’s smile was timid. “Hi.”
“Hi. Hi.” The baby, buckled into a stroller, waved up at Tansy.
“Well, hello.” Tansy smiled at the baby. “You’re adorable.”
“Her name is Beatrix,” Shelby said. “I call her Bea.”
Bea? As in Bee?“My name is Tansy.” She held her hand out.
Shelby paused, then shook her hand. “Shelby. But you know that.”
Tansy nodded. “Would you like to get a cup of coffee, maybe?” She held her breath, waiting for Shelby’s response.
DANE’SGAZETRAILEDafter Tansy. She was a woman on a mission, briskly heading toward something that had captured her attention. Before he could figure out what she was after, Annie’s brother, Will, stepped directly into his line of sight.
“I have a question about Minotaur.” Will was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with Thor’s hammer. If this kid started asking Dane questions about Thor, Will would realize Dane wasn’t Thor.
“He wins, Will.” Annie sighed. “He always wins. He’s Thor.”
Will frowned but nodded. “True.”
Annie pushed her oversize flower cookie toward Dane. “This is for you. With lots of sprinkles, too. Taste good?”
She’d used the whole container.And, from the looks of it, most of her frosting, too. He broke off a piece and ate it. “Delicious.”So much sugar. But he smiled, eyeing the coffee Tansy had left behind. It was probably cold and gross—but it was caffeinated.And my only option.
“It’s a thank-you present.” Annie beamed.
“We should let you get back to your day.” Annie’s mom took Will’s hand and reached for Annie.
The little girl gave him a quick hug. “Bye, Thor.”
“Bye, Annie.” He patted her back. “Bye, Will. Next time—maybe we talk about the Minotaur.” He shouldn’t have said that. If, by some miracle, he did run into them, the boy would have questions and expect answers.
Will perked up at that. “Cool.”
“Thank you, again. Please tell your lovely girlfriend...wife thank you, too?” Annie’s mom was ready to leave, it was all over her face.
Dane didn’t correct her—it would only slow her down. “I will.”
The woman nodded, steering her kids out of the children’s area.
He slipped the band from his hair, smoothed it back tight, and pulled his hair through for a loose knot at the back of his head.That was something. He ate the cookie, finished off Tansy’s cold coffee with a grimace and took in the dwindling crowd. He’d sold out and was in the midst of packing up when Annie came running his way, so there was no need to hurry back.
Now that Annie was safe and sound, he found himself wondering where Tansy had gone off to and why. Chances were she was mad at him—which was the norm.
If he’d stopped and thought through what he was doing, he never would have held her hand. They were in a public place, where anyone could see. Unlike yesterday. But he’d seen the yearning on her face and he’d...acted. She’d been missing her mother. He and Tansy had that in common—it was a wound that never fully healed. He’d meant to comfort her, and himself. But then she’d leaned into him and he’d been too caught up in the way she fit against his side to move at all.
She hadn’t seemed angry when she’d run off. But shehadrun off.
Without realizing it, he was searching the crowd. Magnolia’s deep red hair was unique enough that she was easy to spot. And where one Bee Girl was, another was sure to be close. Tansy was there, ponytail swinging and hands gesturing as she talked. Even at this distance, he couldn’t ignore the pull between them.
