Page 4 of The Sweetest Thing
“Hmm. Hold that thought.” He didn’t say anything more until he’d finished stacking the rest of the boxes of jars onto the waiting cart while she stood, watching and—likely—fuming. “Good picture of me, don’t you think?” he asked, reaching back to straighten his hair. He slid the band loose, combed his fingers through his long hair, then pulled his hair back through the band and into a loose knot.
She paused; her lips parted but nothing came out.
“They wanted me to take a picture shirtless,” Dane continued. “I told them no self-respecting beekeeper would ever work with bees in that state of undress. In my experience, that is.” He couldn’t be sure, but he thought he heard Leif laughing? That’s ararity.
“What are you talking about?” Tansy shook her head, her right eye twitching—it had always done that when he was successfully getting to her. “Do you—”
“Regularly make a habit out of posing for pictures with my shirt off? No.” He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “It was flattering, though.”
Leif was holding the clipboard up in front of his face now.
“I...” She broke off and regrouped. “I wanted to talk about the article.”
“Which part?” Dane asked. “We’re not quite ready to take reservations for the cabins, yet. Or were you just curious about the plans? It’s all still in development but both the city council and the tourism department are enthusiastic about the project so—”
“No.” She snapped. They both heard it. Her indrawn breath was on the shaky side but it was enough to take the bite out of her words. Even riled up and feisty, she was something to look at.
Danedidlike looking at her.
She took a deep breath before she continued. “I’m here to discuss the potential damage this expansion of yours could cause.”
“Damage?” Of course, she’d immediately assume the worst of him.Fine. He might as well have some fun with it. “I’m only planning on clearing one field. Maybe take down a few trees.” He paused, shrugged. “Hopefully.”
Her eyes widened. “But—”
“I can’t guarantee we can get around paving the road but I’d rather keep it as rustic as possible.” He eyed the large open yard blooming with the bee-friendly bluebonnets, pink evening primrose, giant spiderwort and golden columbine. “Maybe, we can use river rock—get a nice smooth surface—leading all the way down to the cabins. Cost permitting, we’ll use actual river rock, want to source everything local and all that, but I’ll make sure they keep things environmentally conscious.” He used air quotes aroundenvironmentally conscious. “Like I said, cost permitting.”
On anyone else, her incredulous look would have been amusing. But like it or not, from her, it got his hackles up. “And the pollinators? The flowers? Thehabitat?” Her voice was strained and brittle.
Did she really think he’d be careless with his property and his family name? Yes, he was taking a few risks and changing things and, surprise, surprise, she didn’t approve. But this wasn’t about Tansy Hill and she didn’t have a say in this.That’s what’sreally getting to her.“All of these are native flowers—it will be easy enough to plant more somewhere else,” he said, beyond irritated that he felt the need to explain himself to her. “Maybe.” He might not be a Hill, but the Knudsons had been in the region almost as long as the Hills. From day one, the honeybee had been just as fundamental to their family as it was hers. Who did she think she was, coming onto his property to look down her nose at him? He couldn’t resist a final dig. “Cost permitting.”
“But...” Her face had gone an alarming shade of red. “The bees.” He watched as she drew herself upright and put her hands on her hips. “Those fragile creatures that keep our world balanced?Andput food on your table?”
“Bees, hmm?” Was she serious? Had she even thought about how this would go? Or had her plan been to show up and insult him? If it was the latter, she was succeeding. “I’m vaguely familiar with them. I might have seen one or two in these parts.” He smiled, goading her—and enjoying the way her jaw muscle tightened. “I’ve no intention of damaging my...” He paused, watching as she leaned forward, waiting for him to finish. “My income stream, Miss Hill, I assure you.”
“Is that all that matters?” Her eyes were wide. “That’s all this is about? Yourincome stream?”
No. It was about proving to himself that he had something to bring to the table that would benefit Texas Viking Honey and his family—with or without his father’s approval.None of her business. Besides, it was easier, and more fun, to let her fume and sputter and turn red. “Yes, ma’am.”
“But...” At the moment, Tansy Hill resembled a pressure cooker on the verge of blowing off its lid.
Leif ducked behind some boxes but Dane was smiling like a fool.Bingo. He’d hit a button all right.Any second now.
“Of course, money is all that matters to you.” Her voice wobbled.
“Money matters to everyone, Miss Hill. It keeps you fed and clothed...and well stocked in bee buttons.” He pointed at her button, shook his head and chuckled. Her wince stirred a flicker of conscience. “Why don’t you take a deep breath, Tansy, calm down a little and tell me what has you so upset.”
“I am calm.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m not in theleastbit upset.”
He chuckled again.
Her mossy-green eyes narrowed. “You’re not really going to—”
“Mercilessly sacrifice my bees for a dollar?” He shook his head. “I guess you’ll just have to see for yourself. And while I’m enjoying how red and flustered and not in theleastbit upset you’re getting—” he perfectly mimicked her earlier inflection “—I’ve got things to do. So, let’s just cut to the chase. You go find something else to wear with bees on it while I get back towork?”
Her eyes went round and, even though he’d thought it impossible, she turned a darker shade of red. “I work twice as hard as you do,” she sputtered, visibly shaking.
He shrugged. “I’ll take your word for it. It’s the neighborly thing to do, after all.” This time, he winked. He didn’t have the new business plan entirely settled yet, he knew that. But he wasn’t going off as half-cocked as she seemed to think. It was on the tip of his tongue to say more—to mention the city was requiring an environmental impact study and that he consult with, and preferably use, a green architect for the cabins. He would. It was a necessary, if costly, expense. An investment he was personally sinking almost half of his 401(k) into. If he was going to make the expansion work for the long-term, and keep the city on board, cutting corners wasn’t an option. Not that he’d ever planned to cut corners. Not that she’d believe that. Not thatI care what she believes. “Thanks for stopping by, Tansy.”
