Page 111 of Honey Bee Hearts

“Give me his number,” I interrupt.

Their argument cuts off abruptly.

“Who?” Rhett asks.

“Lennox.”

Rhett’s face twists. “Absolutely not.”

I stand and level him with my gaze. “You haven’t asked me once what I think about all this. I won’t have my future decided by the four of you. So either give me his number, or I’ll go hunting him down myself.”

Respect flashes in Colt’s eyes as he glances from me over to Rhett. When Rhett hesitates, Colt scoffs. “Give it to her, beekeeper.”

He scowls and pulls out his phone. He unlocks it before tossing it to me. “I hope you know what you’re doin’, Wild West Barbie.”

I do, but if it will work or not. . . that I don’t know.

The phone rings twice before he answers. “I’d like to make a deal,” I say, cutting him off. “And I insist you listen to what I have to say.”

Chapter 61

Fable

Isit on the patio of the Cowpoke Kitchen, one of the small restaurants in Steele, waiting. The waitress had already brought me a water and flickered away to tend to her other customers. The others had wanted to come with me, but I’d insisted they wait at another table, across the restaurant. I don’t want them to know what I’m doing even if Lennox hadn’t demanded I meet with him by myself. They’d been pissed when I’d told them the stipulations, that Lennox wanted to meet with me and me alone, but they’d settled on being close enough to act if something happened.

I’d chosen the Cowpoke Kitchen as neutral ground. Lennox doesn’t want to draw too much attention to himself, so he won’t do anything here to cause trouble. At least, I hope so. Jethro sits at my feet, his tongue out as he pants from the sunshine warming him. I have a gun Rhett had insisted I wear on my hip and the sword Trent had made me leaning against the table, my eyes on the people milling along the sidewalk. When a black sedan pulls up and the back door opens, I straighten, watching as Lennox climbs from it. He’s wearing his full suit today, his eyes bright as he searches me out and smiles when he findsme. Jethro tenses, but I put my hand on him, calming him, as Lennox comes walking up and takes the seat across from me.

“The pie here is fantastic,” he says by way of greeting. “I’m glad you picked it.”

The waitress comes over and he immediately orders a lemonade and a slice of lemon merengue pie, telling her hello by name, like he’s been here often enough to be on first name basis with all the waitstaff. I wait until she leaves, watching him carefully. When she brings back the slice and lemonade, Lennox leans forward and rests his elbows on the table.

“Now, Fable Everhart. Why am I here?” he asks. “I’m sure you didn’t want to just have pie with me.”

I smile. “You’re right. I came to make a deal with you.”

He laughs and picks up his fork, He points it at me. “You know, I’ve been in business for about five years now. I built The Crows from the ground up. When I found my in out here in Wyoming, a straight shot from New Jersey, I thought it fate when it brought me back out here again.” He takes a bite of his pie and hums in pleasure. “And then here you are, asking me for a deal.”

I tilt my chin up. “Is that so surprising?”

He laughs and takes another bite. “Believe it or not, you’re not the first city girl to go toe-to-toe with me, and you’re not the first one these Green River Basin cowboys seem to be wild about.”

Frowning, I glance at the guys across the restaurant, taking in their tense shoulders. “What do you mean?”

“You met Kate, I’m sure?” he asks. When I nod, he grins. “Kate and I had a . . . let’s call it a run-in earlier this year. We’ll leave it at that.” He takes another bite and sighs. “That’s really good pie.”

“This is cute and all,” I say. “But I’m not here for pie.”

He waves his fork at me. “The deal. Yes. Lay out your terms, Everhart, so I can decide if this is worth my time or not.”

I straighten in my seat and meet his eyes without flinching. “How much?”

He pauses. “For what?”

“How much to get them out of your deal? For Circle Bee’s freedom?” I ask.

He laughs as if I’ve told the funniest joke he’s ever heard. “For things like this, it’s about a hundred and twenty-five thousand per person. I doubt you have half a mil sitting around.”

I pull out my phone. “I can transfer it right now.”

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