“Sure.” He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t want to rush you.”
She nodded, taking another sip, a tiny one this time. “Do you coach the golf team at school?”
He shook his head. “Nah. Football keeps me plenty busy.It’s my first sports love. Besides, the golf coach is excellent. His short game leaves me in the dust.”
Sophie had no idea what a short game was, but she would make sure to google it when she got home.
“Hold still,” Joe said, turning toward her.
“What?”
“There’s a bee hovering over your head.”
She looked up and saw the bee. She wasn’t afraid of them, but she also didn’t want to get stung. She remained still, only to cast a look at Joe, his placid expression transforming into fear.
“Sophie!” he suddenly yelled.
Before she knew it, they were overrun with bees. He grabbed her hand and she dropped her lemonade, then together they ran toward his pickup. He had the key out before they got there and quickly unlocked then opened the door, shoved her inside, scrambled in next to her, and slammed the door shut.
Chapter 6
“Are you okay?”
Sophie looked at Joe, who was only an inch or two away from her. She nodded, breathing heavily from the exertion of running across the parking lot. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d run anywhere.
“You didn’t get stung, did you?” Joe’s gaze roamed quickly over her body.
Her face heated and her breath caught in her throat. “N-no,” she said, trying to regain her composure.
“Good.” He scooted back on the bench seat.
“What happened?”
“I’m not sure. I heard the kids next to us throwing golf balls against the roof earlier. I have no idea who they are—they don’t go to Maple Falls High School. I bet they disturbed a nest when they were goofing off.”
Sophie looked out the windshield and saw the kids running toward a white SUV and flailing their arms in the air. As soonas they were all inside, the car’s engine roared to life and the teens peeled out of the gravel lot.
Joe shook his head. “Kids,” he said in a frustrated tone. Then he winced.
“Did you get stung?” Sophie leaned closer to him and saw several stings on his forearm. “Oh no.”
“It’s fine. Just a couple bee stings.”
She looked at his face and saw one on his cheek. Without thinking, she touched the spot right below the sting. “Does it hurt?”
His gaze held hers. “I can barely feel it.”
Did his voice sound huskier, or was that her imagination? She didn’t care. She also couldn’t move, and then he covered her hand with his.
“Sophie, I—”
“Ouch!” She yanked her hand away and started batting at a bee buzzing in the truck’s cab.
“That’s it.” Joe jammed his key into the ignition, turned it, and they flew out of the parking lot. As soon as they were on the road, he rolled down the windows. Two bees flew out.
“Are there any more?” he asked over the wind rushing through the cab.
Sophie looked around, then shook out the hem of her T-shirt. “I think they’re gone.”
