And the woman can cook!Wren couldn’t say no to an extra biscuit with a spoonful of honey.
“Pretty soon, that’ll be honey we harvest ourselves,” Ellie said, glancing fondly at Bear.
“Those beehives were something else,” Wren said, remembering the stacks of white boxes and the bees flying in and out of their bases. Their back legs were thick with orange, yellow, or red pollen, making them look like they were wearing bright little pairs of shorts.
“We got the bees at the end of spring, the last ones the beekeeper had, actually. Bear built the frames and boxes himself.”
Elias grinned at his friend. “When does the first jar of Bear’s Honey roll off the assembly line?”
“Go ask the bees,” Bear said around a mouthful of fresh-caught trout from the creek cutting through their property.
“Talking to the animals is more your department.” Elias pointed his fork at Bear. “This guy’s other nick is St. Francis.”
Bear grunted. “It’s their factories, so it’s up to them. One hive for sure is going gangbusters, but a couple more are gonna have to grow a lot bigger before we’ll harvest any honey from them. Gotta survive the winter.”
Ellie turned to Wren. “I’ve already promised jars to April, Rochelle, Gina, Arden, my cousin Ellen, Stephanie, Sandra… And I forget who else.” She ticked the women’s names off on her fingers. “I’ll add you to the list.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Wren felt her cheeks redden.
“Oh heck yes I have to. I can’t leave out a friend.”
Friend. Wren smiled at that. Ellie was damn near the sweetest person she’d ever met. “You should call it Ellie’s Honey.”
Bear pointed a thick finger at Wren. “Yeah, that’s what I said, but she don’t want that.”
“You’rethe one doing all the work, Bear. It was your idea, too, so it’s your honey. Besides, Bear’s Honey sounds cute.”
The big man’s face turned bright red under his thick beard.
Elias pounded Bear on the back. “What’s wrong, brother? Looks like you swallowed something down the wrong pipe. Maybe some of your cute honey, Honey?”
Wren stifled a giggle.
Oh, God, I’m being rude.
But then Ellie burst out laughing beside her. Bear rolled his eyes but Wren didn’t miss the twinkle in them.
Elias gave him one last slap on the back. “Just be glad all the women aren’t here, especially Stephanie.”
“Stephanie?” Wren asked.
“Trouble,” was all Bear said.
“Oh, she is not! She’s lovely.” Ellie stuck her tongue out at Bear. “And a good friend.”
“She works with our buddy Gabe down at the rec center,” Elias said as he reached for the basket of biscuits.
“Rochelle’s husband,” Ellie added. She passed the butter to Elias, who tipped his head in gratitude. “Rochelle and I had a double wedding earlier this year. Have her show you her wedding ring when you meet her. Ben made it himself. He’s another of Bear and Lion’s friends.”
“What’shisnickname?”
Ellie frowned as she tried to remember. “Oh yeah, Moose.”
Elias grinned at Wren. “I’ll get you a scorecard later.”
“Will it have everyone’s real names or their nicknames? I might need two cards,” Wren teased.
Ellie patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’ll catch right up, just like I did.”
