Page 77 of Must Love Bees
“I won’t.” She smiled. “But, yum, it’ll be worth it.”
“What is it?” Nova’s question had them all glancing across the kitchen. For the last hour, Nova and Ginger, Nicole’s six-year-old cousin, had been quietly coloring in one of Nova’s dinosaur coloring books. Now Van Kettner lowered himself onto the kitchen floor between the girls—a box in his hands. “We got this in our shipment today and I thought you might have some fun with them. It’s a whole set of jungle animals.” He opened the box.
Nova and Ginger gathered around him to ooh and aah over the contents of the box.
“Isn’t he the most precious man?” Aunt Camellia leaned closer to Astrid, hugging the unwashed whisk to her chest. “I love him, dearly.”
“I know. You’re pretty precious, too, Aunt Camellia. You two were made for one another.” Astrid pointed at her aunt’s apron.
Aunt Camellia glanced down at the brownie-batter-whisk imprint on her apron. “Land sakes.” She laughed. “Oh, well, that’s what aprons are for.”
“It’s really delicious, Astrid.” Nicole sat on the opposite kitchen counter, licking the last of the brownie batter off the spoon. “And thanks, again, for letting me bring Ginger over.” She whispered, “I don’t know what to do with her.”
“She and Nova are fast becoming two peas in a pod.” Astrid grinned as Van arranged the animals in a line.
Nova took the two lions and handed one to Ginger. “Rawr!” Nova moved the plastic lion across the sunlit patch of tile floor. “Like that, Ginger.”
Ginger held the other plastic lion toy. She was about Nova’s age but shy. Astrid suspected the little girl was likely struggling with her new surroundings, too. “Rawr?”
“But louder.” Nova nodded. “’Cause lions are the king of the jungle.”
“Rawr!” Ginger tried again.
Nova nodded. “I bet Beeswax and Jammie will want to play with them.” She hopped up. “Come on.”
Ginger stood. “Who are Beeswax and Jammie?”
“The cats. Lions are cats, too.” She took Ginger’s hand and led her from the room.
“Be nice to my kitties,” Aunt Camellia called after them.
“Promise, Aunt Camellia,” Nova called back.
“That Nova is a cutie.” Aunt Camellia slid the pan of brownies into the oven, then went to offer her hand to Van. “And you. You are the sweetest man to bring them new toys.”
He stood and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. It’s thoughtful.Youare thoughtful.” She patted his chest.
“Everywhere I turn, it’s a lovefest. Tansy and Dane. Your aunt and Van. Leif and Kerrielynn.” Nicole stopped and looked pointedly at her. “You and...”
“Nicole.” Astrid shook her head.
“What, I was going to say this brownie batter.” Nicole pointed at her with the wooden spoon. “Let me guess, you thought I was going to say you and your moody neighbor?”
Astrid laughed, then scrambled to redirect the conversation. “How long will Ginger be staying with you?”
“Ugh. I have no idea.” Nicole sighed. “I mean, I’m happy she’s here. I am. But having Child Protective Services show up on my front porch bright and early with her was kind of a major surprise.”
“I can imagine.” Astrid squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’m sure your cousin appreciates it.”
“I am better than a foster home.” Nicole shrugged. “I can’t imagine, you know? Poor thing was scared enough. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, she barely remembers me. And Benji’s been such a help.”
“You’ve raised a fine young man, Nicole.” Van pulled a Dutch oven from one of the lower cabinets and started collecting spices.
“I can’t thank you enough for sponsoring him, Van. I have to hug you.” She slipped off the counter to hug him. “When he learned he could go to camp, he was over the moon. I’ve never seen him that excited. Not even on Christmas morning.”
“My pleasure.” Van patted her back, then turned to the spice cabinet. “He’s earned it.”
