Page 102 of The Sweetest Thing
“As long as we have plenty of kissing time, I’m sure I won’t.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal, Miss Hill.” At his grin, she dug her fingers into his Texas Viking Honey shirt.
“You know.” She smiled, knowing he loved her sass. “It’s okay for you to tell me you love me, too.”
He chuckled, smoothing the hair from her cheek. “I love you.” He ran his fingers along her jaw. “I always have.” He pressed a light kiss against her lips. “And I always will.”
One month later...
DANELAYHIShead in Tansy’s lap, watching her talk about her day. It had become their routine. They’d meet along the fence line between their farms. He’d bring a blanket, she’d bring a snack and they’d share their day. Or sit, quiet, and be happy to be near each other.
“The aunts are making another apology dessert.” Tansy smiled down at him as she ran her fingers through his long hair.
“I’m going to get fat.” Dane patted his stomach.
Tansy lifted his shirt and ran her fingers across his stomach. “Hardly.”
He stared up at her, happy to stay right where they were. “Would you mind?” He reached up to play with one of her dangling honeybee earrings.
“Nope.” Tansy rested her hand on his chest. “I think I’m doomed to love you no matter what.”
“Doomed?” He chuckled. “Notlucky? Or evendestined? Butdoomed?”
“You’re right,luckyis better.” Tansy smoothed his hair back. “Oh, I wanted to tell you. Rosemary is going to send us a few queens from her lab in California. They’re a new hybrid. More hygienic and pest resistant—”
He pressed his fingers against her lips. “Is this bee talk or Rosemary talk?”
Tansy shrugged. “A little of both.”
“Tell me about Rosemary—save the bee talk for later.” Dane smiled up at her. “Please. Is she still coming home for the holidays?”
“All right, all right. Yes, she is. Supposedly.”
Dane saw Tansy’s frown. “I know you miss her.”
“I do.” She sighed. “But I want her to be happy—even if that means she’s not here.”
“You’re a good sister.” He smiled. “I think you’re pretty awesome across the board.”
“Because you love me.”
“Yep.” He nodded. “That makes me awesome, too.”
“And lucky.” She ran her fingers through his hair again.
“No man alive is luckier.” He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to each fingertip. “You’re mine.”
“Yes I am.” She rolled her eyes but she was smiling from ear to ear. “But there is one thing she told me about the bees—”
He pulled her head down for a kiss. Long and lingering and leaving them both a little breathless. That was one of the things he loved most—getting to touch and kiss her whenever he wanted. Which was pretty much all the damn time. So far, Tansy seemed to be on the same page.
“You’ve made your point.” She sighed. “It’s Dane-time, not bee-time.”
“I like that. Dane-time.” He chuckled. “We can talk about the Junior Beekeepers calendar, the apprenticeships, Rosemary’s queens and this new observation deck you dreamed up during regularly scheduled business hours.”
An observation deck so people can visit beeyards without getting stung. “I’m excited about that. I think it will be—”
He laughed. “You’re going to make me do something drastic to distract you. Or was that the plan all along?” He sat up and pulled her into his lap.
