Page 10 of Must Love Bees
“We’ll go with you,” Tansy volunteered.
Dane took Tansy’s hand. “Let’s go meet Charlie Driver.”
Which was a great idea. Most people liked Dane.
Leif’s phone pinged. The growing smile on his face told everyone who was texting him. “Kerrielynn’s free now. But I’ll get the bike into the truck before I go.” He gave Aunt Camellia a quick hug and headed for the door. “I’ll be home at eleven.” He pushed through the front door without a backward glance.
Dane shook his head, watching Leif.
“He’ll be okay.” Tansy tugged on Dane’s arm.
“I know.” He sighed.
Not too long ago, Leif had been determined to stir up trouble. If Dane told him to go left, Leif would go right just to spite him. But that was then. The brothers were on a different path now, together.
“He’s doing great.” Dane captured Tansy’s hand.
“Of course he is.” Aunt Camellia grabbed her massive tapestry purse, tucked the list inside and grabbed her keys. “Are we all ready?”
Five minutes later, Aunt Camellia was headed to the grocery store and Astrid, Tansy and Dane were heading to Rebecca Wallace’s place to return Charlie Driver’s bicycle.
“I think we should go swimming Sunday.” Tansy was wedged between Dane and Astrid, making it easy for her to rest her head on Dane’s shoulder. “See if Leif and some of his friends want to go? It’s hot and the water will be ice-cold and refreshing.”
“Sounds good to me,” he agreed.
Astrid couldn’t help but smile at the exchange. Now that the two of them weren’t at each other’s throats all the time, they were surprisingly like-minded. Both creative and driven, loving and thoughtful. Loyal and stubborn. Oh so stubborn.
“Why are you smiling like that?” Tansy was studying her.
“You two.” Astrid left it at that.
“We’re pretty much the perfect couple?” Dane didn’t wait for an answer. “I think so, too.”
“That’sexactlywhat I was thinking.” Astrid giggled.
They turned onto the gravel road that led to Rebecca Wallace’s cottage. It had been a plain white house until Rebecca had moved in. That’s when it got a fresh coat of pale lavender paint—Rebecca’s favorite—and the place began its metamorphosis. Several windows had been replaced with stained glass, window boxes had been added all along the front of the house, and the snug covered porch had been leveled and adorned with blooming hanging plants. All because Mr. Wallace wanted to make Rebecca happy.
“Looks like he’s taking care of the flowers.” Astrid slipped from the passenger seat, pleased to see the plants and flowers in full bloom. “Rebecca loved her flowers almost as much as I love my bees.”
“I don’t think anyone loves the bees as much as you do, Astrid.” Dane headed around to the rear of the truck and pulled the bike out.
“Aunt Camellia’s calling. You two go ahead,” Tansy said from inside the cab of the truck.
As soon as Astrid knocked on the front door, she was second-guessing her decision. After today’s events, she suspected coming here—even with the best of intentions—might not be welcomed. Now that she’d knocked there was no going back, all she could do was wait and try not to get too flustered.
The front door swung wide and Charlie Driver stood inside. He was surprised to see them. At least, that’s what it looked like until his expression went blank. Only the slightest V settled between his brows. Instead of smiling—something Astrid had yet to see—his heavy-lidded gaze shifted from the bike, to Dane, then her. “I was coming to get it.”
Not exactly the response she’d expected. “I thought dropping it off might be more convenient for you... It was no bother. We drive by on the way home so... Here it is.”
His dark brown eyes fell from hers.
“I’m Dane Knudson.” Dane stepped forward, hand outstretched. “I own the honey farm on the other side of the Hills.”
Charlie blinked, turned to Dane and shook his hand. “Charlie Driver.”
“Charlie.” Nova’s little voice reached them. “It’s your turn.”
“Just a minute.” Charlie glanced over his shoulder.
