The one good thing about this weekend’s Annual Texas Beekeeper’s Convention? She got a break from Everett. When he was around, she found it hard to think—let alone function. Since she knew a run-in with Dr. James Voigt was imminent, she wanted all her wits about her.
Every time she looked around the bustling convention center, she braced herself for seeing the man. So far, she’d seen dozens of familiar faces eager to welcome her home.
“Have you missed it?” Astrid asked, taking a jar of Honey Hill Farms’ Blue Ribbon Honey from Rosemary.
Rosemary nodded, unpacking boxes of Honey Hill Farms honey for Astrid to arrange on the honeycomb display rack Tansy had designed and built. She had missed conferences. She’d missed working the Honey Hill Farms booth at festivals and here at the convention. The lectures were useful and inspiring, the networking was invaluable, and the open-to-the-public Honey Expo was always a lucrative endeavor for Honey Hill Farms.
“I know I’ve said it before, but... I’m so glad you’re here.” Astrid grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s like a piece of me was missing.”
The words resonated deeply with Rosemary. Her work had been engrossing and satisfying—to a point. But every day she’d missed the presence and company of the other Bee Girls. Aunt Mags and Aunt Camellia. Tansy and Astrid.
“Aww.” Nicole Svoboda carried another box to the booth. “You guys make me wish I had a sibling.” She set the box down and sighed.
“You do.” Astrid tugged her in for a group hug. “Maybe not by blood, but by choice.”
“It’s true.” Rosemary hugged their friend—who they all agreed was an honorary Bee Girl. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“It wouldn’t.” Nicole hugged them, laughed, then let them go. “Oh, hold on.” She turned to dig through her oversize purse. “What do you think?” Nicole hadn’t changed her rainbow-hued streaks for the convention, but she had created an impressive fascinator. A mini hive sat jauntily on her head with several wired felt bees in midflight about the hive. “Now, watch...” The bees and hive blinked. First white, then yellow lights.
“I want one.” Astrid was mesmerized.
“Right?” Nicole put her hands on her hips. “I’ll make you one to wear to all the fall and spring festivals, I promise.” She turned to Rosemary. “You want one?”
“As an official employee of the county, I’m not sure it’s appropriate business attire.” Plus, she wasn’t keen on the idea of drawing any more attention her way than necessary.
“Boo.” Nicole waved her hand. “Where’s the fun in being professional anyway?”
“Mom.” Benji stopped dead in his tracks. “What’s on your head?”
“Do you like it? I made it.” Her wide smile was almost as bright as the blinking lights on her head.
“No.” Benji took a step back. “Can you take it off?”
“Benji.” Nicole’s smile drooped. “Really?”
The boy took a deep breath and said, “Nah, it’s cool. Just messin’ with ya.”
But Rosemary saw how hard he had to work at his smile—and it was precious. Nicole had become a mom as an early teen, but she’d never been anything other than an awesome mom. As a result, the bond between the mother and son was unshakable. If his mother was excited about her eye-catching fascinator, he’d get excited, too.
“Hey.” Leif walked up to the booth, his gaze locking on the fascinator. “Hey, Nicole, you know your head’s blinking, right?”
“Yup. Don’t be too jealous.” She turned, opened a folding chair, and pointed at it. “I love you, Astrid. Now sit.”
Astrid pulled the chair closer to the honeycomb display shelf and sat. “But I’m still setting up the booth.”
“Fine.” Nicole handed her some jars of honey. “Do it sitting down. You know the next couple of days will be long ones.”
“Welcome to the Annual Texas Beekeeper’s Convention.” Kerrielynn came walking up, her phone held out in front of her. “This is the end-all, be-all for Texas beekeepers. Did you see what I did there? End-all,bee-all?”
“What’s she doing?” Rosemary asked Leif.
“She’s taking some marketing class, and one of the units is social media marketing.” Leif’s voice was low. “She’s been filming everything for the last two days.”
“Everyone say hi.” Kerrielynn turned her phone toward the booth. “Nicole...your hat. Wow.”
Rosemary wasn’t sure the wow was a bad wow or a good wow, but Nicole took it as the latter and smiled proudly. “This is for a class?” she asked Kerrielynn.
“Yes. Hi, Rosemary. Everyone say hi to Rosemary Hill. She’s one of the Honey Hill Farms Bee Girlsanda bee genius. She’s my inspiration.” Kerrielynn stood beside Rosemary and put her phone into selfie mode. “And she has the most gorgeous hair, don’t you think?”
