“Getting some lemonade or something. He won’t mind.”
“Camellia?” Van held his hand out.
“I’d love to.” Camellia blushed prettily. “I consider a man in a bolo tie rather dashing.”
Everett and Dane exchanged another look and laughed.
“Have fun, you two.” Violet smiled at Dane. “Shall we?”
He was breathless and laughing by the time they finished dancing—and that was when he spied Tansy. She was talking to Lorna and Bud Franks, laughing—and beautiful. Her long hair was down and her dress, a swirl of blue and green, would almost match her eyes.
“Good thing we’re not still on the dance floor.” Violet laughed.
“Why is that?” he asked, his gaze returning to Tansy.
“One look at her and you’d have stomped on my toes.” Violet patted his arm. “She looks lovely, doesn’t she?”
“Always.” He nodded.
“Then go tell her.” Violet gave him another pat.
“That’s all there is to it?”
“It’s certainly a good place to start.” Violet gave him a little shove. “Go on.”
Bud smiled as Dane approached then shook his hand. “Good to see you, Dane. Things going well out at your place, I hear. How’s the expansion going?”
Well, shit.Not the opening he was hoping for. “Good.” He might as well use this as an opportunity to try to smooth Tansy’s ruffled feathers. “I’m spending twice as much as originally planned for a thorough environmental study and I’ve hired one of the best green architects around.” He met Tansy’s gaze. “The Viking Hall is framed out but we’re taking it slow and beingcareful.” It would be worth it. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
“Always good to diversify your income streams.” Tansy glanced up at him, her smile tight.
He nodded. “Don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket. Or, bees in one hive?” It was a sad attempt at a joke and he knew it.
Tansy rolled her eyes but he thought the corner of her mouth kicked up a tad.
Time to change the subject. “First night out since Fiona was born?”
“Yes!” Lorna nodded. “It’s amazing. But I keep checking my phone. Bud, too.”
“My mom is with her so we know she’s fine.” Bud shrugged, slipping his arm around Lorna. “Since I know we won’t stay out long, you’ll have to excuse me while I dance with my wife.” Bud led Lorna onto the dance floor.
“Lorna’s thinking about giving up the Junior Beekeepers.” Tansy started nibbling the inside of her lip.
Dane didn’t care about the Junior Beekeepers at the moment. All he could think about was how pretty she was. And how bad he wanted to run his fingers through her hair.
“Did you hear me?” she asked, glancing up at him.
“I did. But then I looked at you and remembered what I’d come over here to say.” It was true. Those green eyes had caught a hold of him and the rest faded away. “Maybe it’s the dress?” Her blue-green dress covered in golden bees.Beautiful. His heart was pounding away, so loud she had to hear it. He took a deep breath.
“Oh?” Tansy fiddled with a strand of her hair.
“You look beautiful.” He smiled.
“You, too.”
“Dance with me.” He held his hand out. “Or we can skip straight to the kissing part.” His eyes swept over her lips. “I’m fine with that. More than fine.”
Tansy was laughing when she grabbed his hand and tugged him onto the dance floor. “Dancing is fine. Kissing, here, not so much.”
