“It’s a good thing I’m hot.” He grinned. “And you like me.”
“A little.” Tansy stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss, forthem, was short and restrained. With a wink, Dane started sorting and stacking boxes.
“Why aren’t you warning them about... Well, you know?” Leif asked Nicole. “Look at ’em.”
“You have a point, Leif.” Nicole shook her head.
“No, please, no. Pregnancy bladder is a real thing, and I don’t think I can take it if I start laughing like that again.” Astrid held up her hands.
“Fine. I’m going to walk the room. Check out the competition.” Nicole adjusted her fascinator and headed off.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Halley glanced at Benji, who shrugged, then nodded.
“Kerrielynn, what’s this social media project about?” Rosemary attempted to change the topic.
“It’s a lot.” She made a face. “I need to create a YouTube channel, post daily, and track my views and followers. Live stream teasers or interviews—things to boost interest. And develop a consistent brand, too.” She ticked off each item on her fingers. “Obviously, I’m doing the life-of-a-beekeeper sort of thing.” She paused. “I’m hoping I can film at the senior gardening club meeting next week, Rosemary? Since we’ll be helping out. If that’s okay, of course?”
“Remind me before the meeting starts, okay?” The senior gardening club would be Rosemary’s first public interaction as the education and outreach facilitator. She was surprisingly nervous—even with Lorna’s meticulous notes. But she was excited, too. It was never too late to share the importance of bees. She hoped the senior gardening club would eagerly embrace her bee-friendly gardening plans.
“Can do.” Kerrielynn sighed. “I figure it can’t hurt to have extra footage.”
“Yeah, she’s got to create a ten-to-fifteen-minute film as her final.” Leif took her hand.
“That sounds like a lot of work.” Astrid’s brows went high.
“I’m basically recordingeverything.” Kerrielynn shrugged.
“That’s smart. Easier to have something to edit than be short of content.” Halley helped Benji open boxes.
“Ooh, make sure you tag Wholesome Foods in your posts, Kerrielynn. They’d love it, and it would help me with our social media posting, too. If you don’t mind?” Tansy winked.
“Um, seriously? I totally will.” Kerrielynn was thrilled.
Rosemary listened, overwhelmed. “I know it’s an important way to market nowadays, but I’m so glad you’re into all that stuff, Tansy. As far as the farm goes, I wouldn’t know where to start.” The idea of having to be on all the time was too daunting for her.
“Agreed.” Astrid nodded. “Rosemary and I are happy to stay behind the scenes on that side of things.”
“It’s not really that hard. You just sort of pretend the camera is someone you’re talking to, someone that’s interested in what you’re saying. But honestly, I don’t know if I’d enjoy it as much without Dane.” She glanced at her brawny fiancé.
Rosemary nodded, but her gaze snagged on the very handsome man heading for the booth. Instantly, her insides were doing that gooey melty thing. “Everett?” she murmured. It was him. And when he smiled at her, her knees turned to jelly. “I mean, Everett’s here.”
“I brought him. I damn near had to force him, but I figured after the week he’s had, he could use a break from all the people-pleasing and politicking.” Dane pulled the tie from his hair, smoothed it back, and pulled his long blond hair back into a man bun. “That okay?”
“Oh...yes. Of—of course,” she stammered, feeling the heat creep into her cheeks.Stop blushing. Act normal.
“You sure?” Dane asked, his blue eyes a little too intent on her face.
She swallowed and nodded. It was fine. It was good. Dane had a point. Everett did deserve a break.
“Rosemary, these are gorgeous.” Astrid was staring into one of the boxes. “You wrote a book. That’s amazing. It looks like something you’d find in a bookstore or a library.” She sat, the books in her hands.“ABC’s with Baby Bee.”
“Ooh, the bees are so pretty.” Nova’s eyes went round as she stared at the page.
“Youwrote that, Rosemary?” Kerrielynn hurried to Astrid’s side. “Ohmygosh. Leif, look.”
“Those weren’t supposed to come with us. I guess the boxes got mixed up?” Rosemary frowned. “Hopefully nothing important was left behind.” She turned, scanning the boxes—only to find Everett, standing right there, beside the booth.
“Hey, Rosebud. What’s the trouble? Do I need to go back and get something?”
