Page 27 of Honey Bee Hearts

Relief fills me. Nothing changed once he knew. Some part of me worried he’d switch to pity when he looks at me, but he only cocks a smile over at me as he hoists himself up on his much taller horse. “You ready for the ride of your life, Florida Girl?”

I nod enthusiastically, my eyes watering at the relief I feel. “Hell yeah,” I choke out.

He leads me forward after he settles Mr. Frizzle on the saddle horn in front of him. Aztec mostly follows Duke on his own, but I hold the reins just in case. I duck as we exit the stables and then we’re trotting out into the mountains. We move slowly at first, easy, as we leave the house behind. The wind brushes my hair back from my face as we cut through the pastures.

“Ready to open him up?” Gunnar asks, smiling at the expression on my face. Horseback riding is everything I expect it to be, and something in me feels lighter with the gentle trot.

“Faster?” I ask.

“Oh, Aztec is fast,” he nods. “The best thing is letting go of the reins and opening your arms out wide,” he says with a grin. “If you try it, make sure you squeeze with your thighs tightly and hold on. I don’t want you falling off. One fall can send you to the emergency room.”

“Noted,” I say, knowing I’m not going to let go. That seems too risky.

“Alright. Let’s go,” he nods and snaps the reins on Duke. Duke immediately leaps into a run and Aztec follows.

My fingers tighten on the reins and my thighs tighten in fear as Aztec goes from a trot to a full out gallop. Panic grabs hold and threatens to send me spiraling, but then the wind whips through my hair, sending it flowing out behind me. That breeze strokes my face and races past me as Aztec flies across the pasture, right behind Gunnar, and something inside of me changes.

Becomes lighter.

Eases.

My heart explodes in excitement as we race across the pastures, as our horses run. Aztec starts to outpace Duke, and we start pulling ahead. Laughter spills out of my lips unburdened. Pure joy for the first time in a long time. Before I can think better of it, I squeeze my thighs tight and slowly release the reigns. I move my hips with Aztec’s gallop, keeping balanced, before I raise my arms out to my sides like Gunnar had said to.

He whoops in excitement, spreading his own arms, laughing at how it feels. “You go, Florida Girl!” he shouts over the wind. “Look at you go!”

It feels like flying. I’ve never felt so weightless. . .

. . . except for one other moment in my life.

The tears start coming before I can stop them. I don’t even realize they’re there until the sobs start to wrench from my throat and I’m clutching onto the reins again, desperately trying to collect myself before Gunnar can see, afraid I’ll fall off when my vision grows hazy with tears.

“Whoa! Whoa!” he calls, and I realize I’m too late as he coaxes Aztec and Duke to slow, grabbing at my reins to pull back and make the horses stop. “What’s wrong? Fable? Are you hurt?” he asks as he comes up beside me, reaching over to pull me into a hug despite the height difference between our horses.

But I can’t answer. The sobs come pouring from my throat, so thick I can barely breathe. Gunnar stops asking if I’m okay and just holds me, his arms strong around me as he leans across the distance between our horses despite the position having to be uncomfortable. When it becomes too difficult, he moves Mr. Frizzle to my saddle and drags me up onto his horse in front of him. Mr. Frizzle doesn’t even put up a flight.

“I’m sorry,” I sniffle as I gain some composure and try to clean my face. I’m sure I look a mess right about now, my face red and splotchy. Oh god. I’m snotting. I know it.

“Don’t be sorry,” he whispers, holding me tight. “I don’t exactly know what’s happening, but I just hate to see you cry.” His hands rub along my arms, sending goosebumps along them. “What can I do to make you feel better?”

He’s the absolute sweetest, and my heart hurts, and that’s the reason I say what I do. That’s the reason I forget my hesitation and tip my head back to look up into his eyes. I sniff, trying to find the words, but he looks at me patiently, waiting.

I wince. “Is there. . . is there a craft or fabric store in town by any chance?”

Chapter 16

Fable

The first thing I realize is that Steele isn’t a very big town, and yet it is somehow still very well-known. Gunnar explains it’s because of a famous bull rider who came from Steele back in the nineties, Frederick Savage. Their small rodeo attracts thousands and often births famous rodeo performers. Apparently, there’s also a famous country singer from Steele and a famous barrel racer. All of that put Steele on the map and so while it’s a small town, it’s well-maintained and cute.

Surprisingly, Steele does have a small craft store. When Gunnar, Mr. Frizzle, and I pull up to Handcrafted Happiness, I’m amped up with nervous energy. I haven’t done this since. . . before. I haven’t even touched my sewing machine. But now, the urge is so strong, I can’t resist. I need to make something. I need to make. . . anything. As long as I’m making.

“We used to not have a craft store,” Gunnar explains. “But a few years ago, Martha Duncan, Fred Duncan’s wife, decided that we needed one. Apparently, a bunch of the other wives thought so, too, ‘cause she’s still open. I don’t know how much fabric shehas and it’s relatively small, but it might be what you’re lookin’ for,” he explains as he leads me into the store.

The moment the little bell over the door chimes, a woman perks up from behind the counter. She’s older, probably in her mid-forties, and when she sees us, she beams. “Gunnar Hall! I ain’t ever seen you in this store!”

“I don’t do much craftin’, ma’am,” he explains sheepishly. “But I come bringin’ a customer who does. This here is Fable. She’s been staying at Circle Bee.”

Martha looks over at me and practically beams. “Nice to meet you, Fable. My name is Martha. What kind of craftin’ you lookin’ to get into?”

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