“Think they’ll like their new home?” I asked.
Bella turned and flashed me a smile. When she was dressed, you couldn’t tell she was pregnant. But when she was naked and under my careful inspection, I could tell. Her breasts were fuller, her stomach a bit more round with our child. She was breathtaking, and looking at her here, with her beloved bees flying around, she looked like a freaking goddess.
“I do. Especially with a flower farm just down the pasture.”
“When are you and Abby going to start transplanting some of the lavender from your folks’ place?” I asked, stepping to the side so Bella could walk away from the hive. We walked slowly over to the old truck Bella used when she transported bees. Very few of them were still flying around the bed of the truck. They had all followed the queen bee into their new hive.
“Probably not until we know the weather will be good and there’s no more risk of frost. I think the bees will be happy to have the lavender back.”
“I think so too,” I said, leaning down to kiss her. “How are you feeling today?”
She shrugged. “Aside from this morning, I feel good.”
Bella had terrible morning sickness, but Abby—pregnant herself and ahead of Bella by a few months—was a huge help, offering her tips for how to fight it.
“Have you thought about what you want to do for World Bee Day?”
A brilliant smile appeared on Bella’s face. “I have! I think it would be fun to offer a couple tours of the farm, then have everyone head over to The Queen Bee Café. Candace plans on having a soft grand opening that day. We could do an early tour for lunch, and another one for dinner. Abby will have fresh bouquets of flowers for everyone to take with them, and seed packets to plant for the bees.”
“I love that idea. Plus, it’ll give the café some traffic, which will make Candace happy.”
The Queen Bee Café was really Candace’s dream. It was mostly a café, but there was a small store in it, as well, that supplied items from Adams Apiary. Bella had decided to keep the family name for the apiary, and since it was so well known and already established, I’d agreed. Bella kept the store side of the café stocked with items like honey and bee products that she made or had made locally. There were also numerous books on bees and how to start your own apiary, as well as children’s books. Bella’s main priority was to educate people on the importance of bees in order to help save them.
A smaller section of the store housed other goods from local spots like Boggy Creek Orchard, Boggy Creek Seed Farm, and Wonderland Tree Farm.
“Did you see the tile Candace picked out? It looks like a beehive.”
“I haven’t been in there yet, but I’ll be sure to swing by soon. Do you have all the products you need for the store?”
Bella shut the tailgate of the truck and laced her fingers with mine as we walked down the path back toward the house. “I do. And Candace and I interviewed a few people, and I found a couple of girls who are so excited about working in the storefront area of the café. They’ll also help with the café, if needed, but I think you had a good idea to keep the employees for the storefront and café separate. Since I’m handling the retail side, and the café is Candace’s thing.”
Nodding, I said, “I’m so happy for you and Candace, Bella.”
She smiled. “What brings you back home so early? Do you have time for me to make us some lunch?”
“I do have time, and I’d love to have lunch with my girls.” Bella smiled. I had gotten into the habit of calling the baby a girl.
“Well, your little girl is rather hungry this afternoon. I made a salad, and also planned on having a turkey and Swiss sandwich, if that sounds okay to you?”
“That sounds perfect.”
Jack, who had quickly learned he wanted nothing to do with the beehives, sat patiently on the front porch chewing on a bone. He saw Bella and ran toward her.
“Hello, my handsome boy!” Bella said as she bent down and hugged Jack. “How has your workday been today, buddy?”
Jack barked, then took off back to the porch.
“I take it that means good.”
Laughing, I nodded. “It’s been slow.” We walked up the steps of the house, and I pulled Bella to a stop.
She turned and looked at me…and her smile instantly faded. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just…I need to tell you something, and I’m not sure how you’re going to react.”
Chewing on her lip, she looked away and then back up at me. “Do you think I’m going to be upset? Mad?”