Rosemary had a hard time seeing herself on camera, but she tried to smile. If this was for a grade, she knew how important it was. Being a devoted A student all her life, she’d make sure not to do anything that might damage Kerrielynn’s vision.
“I’ll take you on a tour of the whole expo once everybody’s set up. You’ll be amazed. I did it again.Beeamazed.” Kerrielynn waved at the camera. “Beeback soon.” She turned off the phone and rubbed her cheeks. “Smiling all the time is work.”
“It’s a pretty smile.” Leif draped an arm around her shoulders.
“You’re only saying that because I’m your girlfriend.” She smiled up at him.
“It’s true you have a pretty smile. But I’m also saying it because you’re my girlfriend.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“You two are adorable,” Nicole called out. “Just becareful—you know what I mean—because being teen parents is hard work.”
Rosemary was so surprised, she burst into laughter. She wasn’t the only one. Astrid looked to be on the verge of hyperventilating.
Leif rolled his eyes but didn’t seem too bothered. Poor Kerrielynn, however, was beet red.
“Mom.”Benji was horrified. “Kerrielynn could have been live streaming.”
“What?” Nicole shrugged. “I’m telling it like it is, is all. Why would that message going out into the world be a bad thing?”
“Really?” Benji shook his head, his face dark red.
“What happened?” Dane arrived, an oversize box under each arm. “Whatever it was, I need in on it.” He glanced at Astrid. “You going to make it?”
Astrid was hugging herself, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Tansy followed Dane into the booth, little Nova and Halley in tow. Halley was pulling their worse-for-wear wagon behind her with more supplies.
“That’s everything—Whoa.” Tansy took in the mixed reactions. “What did we miss?”
Nicole adjusted her fascinator. “I just said—”
But Benji cut his mother off.“Nothing.”He waved both his hands. “Seriously. I have to be here to test, Mom. Don’t make it suck.”
Rosemary managed to stop laughing. Maybe now wasn’t the best time to tease. The kids were all taking an important exam later that afternoon. Benji was testing to become an apprentice beekeeper, and Kerrielynn and Leif were taking their advanced beekeeper tests. Technically, Leif could test for his master’s level, but he didn’t think he was ready yet. Each level of certification had different qualifications that included hours as a practicing beekeeper, hive ownership and management, and a written exam. Without completing all the qualifications, there was no certification.
“You’re going to do great,” she said. “You knew everything we reviewed. Plus, Dane and Tansy wouldn’t have signed off on your hours if they didn’t think you were ready.”
Benji shrugged. “Yeah, well...tests stress me out.”
“I’m sorry.” Nicole took off her hat and came out of the booth to her son. “Forgive me? Please.”
Benji sighed. “Yeah.”
Nicole hugged him. “And you’re going to kick that exam’s ass. Don’t you worry.”
“Does an exam have an ass?” Dane deposited the boxes he was carrying in the booth.
“Halley, isn’tassa bad word?” Nova asked.
“Yes.” Astrid held out her arms. “It is. And no one will say it again.”
Nova ran to Astrid and climbed into her lap. “Okay.”
Tansy nudged Dane. “You’re not helping.” Her whisper was loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I am.” He nodded at the boxes. “I carried those inside, didn’t I?”
“You’re infuriating.” Tansy rolled her eyes.
