Page 111 of Must Love Bees
“That.”
“No, we don’t. But, once the rain clears, we can go visit them.” Astrid glanced his way. “If you’re free to stay for a bit?”
He took a deep breath. “We are.” At least now he didn’t have to come up with an excuse to stay. Not that it helped with the tension tightening his throat. He tugged at the collar of his shirt.
“Are you okay?” Astrid whispered.
He nodded but kept his eyes on the drive leading to Astrid’s home. He concentrated on the rain. Light and steady. When he parked, he turned to tell the girls to wait—only to find them both out of the car and running for the porch.
“I guess they really want to try that tart.” Astrid’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“I guess so.” He took a deep breath. “Umbrella?”
She shook her head and made a mad dash through the rain to the porch.
He took another deep breath and followed.
“Would you like a slice of tart?” Astrid was asking Shelby.
“No, thank you.” Shelby was sitting on the front porch with a book in her lap. “Nothing better than a sleeping baby and a good book on a rainy day.”
“We’ll leave you alone.” Astrid smiled and waved the girls inside. “Enjoy.”
Shelby took one look at him and frowned. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“I’m fine.” He was trying to be fine, anyway. The girls had left wet footprints along the wooden floor. He followed the trail to the kitchen.
Enough is enough.There was no point in dragging this out. If he waited much longer, he’d be doubled over and dripping sweat—not the best way to woo someone. Not that he had any experience with wooing. Or women.
He stepped into the kitchen and his mind went completely blank.
Astrid was rifling through the refrigerator while his girls waited, asking her questions.
“Who painted the bees on the walls?” Nova asked.
“My great-grandmother, grandmother, aunt and my sister Rosemary. Rosemary is such a talented artist, she’s done the illustrations for an entomology book.”
“What’s in-to-mawlowgy?” Nova did try.
“It’s the study of bugs,” Astrid said. “Found it.”
He took a deep breath. “Girls.” He exhaled forcefully. “Go watch TV.”
Astrid turned, confused, with a foil-covered pan in her hand.
“Can we have some tart, please?” Nova used her best manners.
Charlie took the tray from Astrid’s hand and handed it to Halley. “Go.”
Halley grabbed Nova’s hand and tugged her from the kitchen.
Astrid stepped closer. “Charlie, what’s wrong?” She pressed a hand to his temple.
“Nothing.” He was not going to let a panic attack ruin this. “Here.” He held out the envelope.
Astrid took it and opened it slowly, her gaze never leaving his face. “What is it?”
“Read it.” He cleared his throat.
