Page 15 of Honey Bee Hearts

It's fear.

“You’ve met Gunnar. He’s the barn manager,” Rhett continues. “And me, the best of all, I tend to the bees. I’ll make sure to take you out there after a while.” He points out a large building in the distance. “That’s the kennels. Colt is the dog trainer and expert with that. He’s away on business for a few days, but you’ll meet him once he’s back.” He turns and points to a large metal garage. I turn to follow his direction and see a large man strolling toward it. “Hey! Trent! Come say hi to our guest!” Rhett calls. The man looks up, scowls, and continues into the metal building. “Don’t mind him,” Rhett says, shaking his head. “Trent prefers his own company to anyone else’s.” He leans closer. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he’s super shy.”

“Noted.” I definitely don’t want to interrupt the man if he doesn’t want to be.

“This is the barn. Rule number one is in effect.”

“Respect locked doors,” I nod. “I remember.”

“Good girl,” he says, and though he’s being silly with it, I can’t help but notice that he says it so easily. Despite telling him he laid it on too strong, I’m suddenly wondering what it would be like for him to say that in a different setting.

“Circle Bee encompasses about six hundred acres,” Rhett continues. “We’re one of thirteen ranches in the Green River Basin and though we may not be the largest, we’re certainly not the smallest. Steele is our closest town, and you can get most anything there.” He turns toward me with a smile. “If there’s anything you need—a toothbrush, food, a warm body—don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll hopefully make this month as memorable as possible.”

“Thank you,” I answer honestly. “Are there any animals I shouldn’t pet? I’m gonna be honest, as soon as you’re done showing me around, my main goal is to pet as many as possible.”

He laughs, and it lights up his entire face. “Most of our animals are friendly. Maybe just avoid the donkey in pasture three. Old Don Key-xote is an ass. Literally. Otherwise, you can pet anything. Just don’t stick your fingers in any mouths. The horses can be a bit nippy if you’re not careful.”

“Leave the ass alone. Got it,” I smile. “I appreciate the tour, Rhett.”

“It was my pleasure, Fable,” he says with a wink. “I’ll see you at dinner. Stay outta trouble ‘til then.”

He turns and leaves me standing in the middle of the driveway. I watch him go, pleased to see I was right about the jeans. Christ, the men out here are something else. I should have come out to a ranch sooner.

Jinx appears beside me, her eyes on Rhett’s ass just like mine. She turns to me with a grin. “Smash,” she says. “Definitely smash.”

And dammit if she’s not right. Suddenly, I’m seriously considering this man’s offer despite barely knowing him.

But that would involve him seeing my leg. So maybe not yet.

No, not yet.

Chapter 10

Fable

Iwander around the ranch for a few hours, petting every animal I can find. So far, I’ve run my fingers through the manes of three very excited horses, down the back of one pig that really wanted to eat my fingers, and a bloodhound. I spent the longest petting the bloodhound, her gentle bays and tail wags making it impossible to leave her. In fact, I only stop petting her because I check the time on my phone and realize dinner will be starting in ten minutes. I tell her goodbye and head off to my cabin to wash my hands and make sure I’m not too dirty. Then I rush to the main house.

It's only a minute after six when I pop open the screen door and step inside the large house, but it’s clear I’m the last one in.

“Hey, Fable! I saved you a seat right next to me,” Rhett calls as I step inside.

The dining room is larger than I expected, a long table filled with people already sitting down. These must be everyone who works at the ranch, and there are far more than I expected.

“Everyone say hi,” Rhett instructs.

I’m met by a chorus of “Welcome,” and “Hey, Ms. Fable,” followed by too many people offering their spots.

“She’s sitting next to me,” Rhett orders. “In the VIP spot, no less.”

“This particular chair is the VIP chair?” I ask as he holds out the chair for me and helps me scoot in.

“Any chair next to meisthe VIP chair,” he fires back.

“Evening, Fable,” Gunnar says from his seat across from me. “I hear you’ve been showing the animals some love.”

I smile. “I pet three horses, a pig, and a bloodhound so far. Tomorrow, I plan on petting everything else.”

The woman beside me bumps her shoulder with mine. “A woman after my own heart. Please tell me Rhett told you not to pet the donkey?”

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