Noticing me halfway toward her, she lights up like a beam and waves. Unlike River, she’s radiating warmth and friendliness. Despite the jealousy I had felt before last week, there’s no way anyone could dislike this woman.
“Hey, so I’m glad you’re here.” Spinning around, she thrusts a business card in my direction. “Take a look at this and tell me what you think. Had to hire someone to do it, and I secretly want to show it off to everyone. I made far too many to hand out.”
Accepting her offer, I look at the color splash that’s covering the card. WithWildwood Threadssplayed out on the top, it has all of her information. The back has a cartoonish image of a stuffed bear surrounded by a few balls of yarn. It’s cute, and almost distracting enough to pull me away from my worries.
She shifts from one foot to the other, nervous for my opinion. “These markets are great and all, but I’d really like to turn this hobby of mine into a real business.”
“It looks great.” Smiling, I ask her if I can keep it, and her eyes light up as she nods. “Maybe if I snag your number, we can talk more about it. Managing your own business is hard.”
I can tell her how long I’ve spent at my computer posting pictures of my bees and their hives in hopes of drawing people in throughout the year to keep my bills paid. That’s a conversation that can happen over coffee. Right now isn’t the time.
“But, uh, I noticed River is missing. Is everything okay on his end?” Trying to sound casual with it, I can’t help the way my voice cracks with worry.
Unlike me, Melanie doesn’t seem bothered by her missing sibling. Like this is something that normally happens, rather than once in a blue moon. She hums as she pulls out her phone, pausing long enough to glance around like she hadn’t even noticed. Upon opening it, she snorts.
“Looks like he’s just running late. He lives up on the mountain, so it might take him a little longer. Here’s to hoping he has enough time to get set up.” She then mutters a soft curse under her breath. “He wanted me to snag a table, but I think we’re a little past that point.”
As she offers her phone to me to add my information, I linger longer by her table, unsure what to do with myself. Better to talk to her about her excitement to help pass the time. Otherwise, I’d be checking my phone and watching the time tick by.
Thankfully, I don’t have to wait for long. He must’ve been speeding to get here as quickly as he had.
When River suddenly appears with a crate in his hand, I can’t explain the relief that floods me all at once. All because he’s here and in one piece. Instead of spotting us, he’s moving to Frank, most likely to apologize for running behind.
“Well, he looks okay.” Melanie turns away to look at what few tables are still open. She hums in the back of her throat before pausing. “That table next to yours is empty.”
It normally is. Always tucking myself in the corner, it makes only one vendor forced to decide to unpack at my side. For some reason, some people believe that if they stand by my side, they risk being stung by a bee because of the sweet, sticky scent that clings to my product.
Technically, bees drift around the entire joint, but because I’m ‘the bee girl’, everyone thinks the risk is higher wherever I’m stationed. Most people think bees are the scariest things, but in reality, most of them are harmless.
“You think he’d want to set up there?” Surprised by her suggestion, heat immediately creeps up my neck at the thought of River being at my side for an entire afternoon instead of setting up so far away.
No longing glances that come and go for hours at an end. No, all I’d have to do is turn my head, and I could talk to him in all the ways I’ve played out in my head. Even if it’s simply chatting about the weather or finding out anything I possibly can about him, the opportunity is there.
From the way Frank points out past us, I’m willing to bet they’re chatting about the very same thing we are.
“Oh yeah. Without a doubt.” Nodding, she lifts her arm and waves at him to catch his attention. “Want to help him set up? Bet he’d be pretty grateful.”
I’m nodding without thinking, moving right along with her as we move in his direction.
“Take up the spot next to Daliah. We’ll go grab the rest of what you’ve got. Better hurry up.” Passing him before he can argue, she’s set on doing whatever she wants, just as River had mentioned.
In passing, we share a glance that makes me want to halt long enough that I can get lost in his eyes. Wanting to know what’s taken him so long, I let the sound of my name carry me forward instead.
Melanie takes me to a big truck that’s covered in a good layer of mud. While I’m taking it in, she’s already climbing into the bed to push some crates toward me.
“I appreciate the help, too, by the way.” Jars clatter as she hops back off. “I can’t tell if I want to be annoyed or not by how much he brings with him. Have you tried any? He tinkered with our family’s recipe, and whatever he added made it pretty good. Always sells out because he insists on only selling during this time of year.”
Shaking my head, I watch her in surprise as she stacks two crates, picking them up with ease.
Noticing my surprise, she grins. “Used to help River with this kind of stuff growing up. Before I took a dive into crafting, we ran his table together. Helping him like this is nothing.”
Lifting the crates slightly to prove her point, I don’t dare do the same. Instead, I follow after her.
“Do you miss it?” From the way she beams at her stuffed animals, I feel like I already know the answer.
Melanie snorts, shaking her head. “Hardly. Besides the occasion jar he pushes on me, I can’t even enjoy fruit the sameway without gagging. Just smelling anything sweet is enough to turn my stomach after years of doing it. Trading that for sore hands is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“I hope that honey is okay then.” Grimacing at the thought of how sweet I know it is, I’m surprised by her sudden flush.
