Chapter 4 #4
I sigh. “Well, okay, but if this suit makes my bum look big, you’re never getting me back in it.”
He chuckles, and I pull on the suit, watching as he does the same. I’m pretty sure mine makes me look like an Oompa Loompa in a Tim Burton film, and it’s typical that the big, cumbersome suit makes Zeke look good.
“You look like a hero beekeeper,” I say.
He pauses in putting on his helmet or whatever the headgear is called. It’s a mixture of a helmet and a veil. “Pardon?”
I gesture at him. “Like you’re off to save the world one bee at a time.”
He chuckles and pulls me close. “And you look adorable.”
He settles the head guard over me, and I watch his big hands move, fastening and smoothing. “What are you doing?”
“Checking that there are no gaps,” he says solemnly.
I think of all the bees. “Yes. You should definitely do that,” I say fervently. “Feel free to do quadruple checks. This boy will never accuse you of being anally retentive.”
“My world has settled in relief.”
“Cheeky,” I say, attempting to pinch his bum through the suit.
He steps back. His eyes gleam at me from behind the mesh. “Ready?”
I feel a sudden squirm of nerves in my belly. “Will it be okay?”
“Of course,” he says immediately. “You’re completely covered. I don’t take chances with you, Georgie.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re precious.” It’s such an offhand comment, but it makes my eyes hot. Then I look at the hives and feel a surge of excitement.
“Let’s do this.”
The hives seem very tranquil, but as we approach, I can hear a low hum that grows louder as we step nearer.
“Are you going to open the hive?” I’m whispering for an unknown reason.
He shakes his head. “Not this morning. I checked the hives yesterday, so I’ll leave them in peace now. Half of them are out anyway.”
“Out? Out where? A club? Playing a round of golf?”
He snorts. “No, they go out foraging for nectar and pollen.” He pats my arm. “I’m going to tell the queen about you. She’ll let the rest of the hive know.”
I blink at him. “Why? And what if she disapproves? Will that sway you?” I frown. “Oh my god, this is just like having a mother-in-law.” I pause. “Only one who could sting you to death.”
He snorts. “I think my feelings for you are pretty sure. I don’t need anyone’s approval to change those. I just want the bees to know. It sounds so silly, but it’s the custom. You have to tell the bees of any big changes in your life, because they’re tied to us.”
I search my memory banks. “I thought people just told them about death.”
He wrinkles his nose. “No, I’ve always thought that was tremendously depressing for the bees. We tell them when something important happens.”
“And is this important?”
I see his smile behind his veil. “It’s momentous.” He bends low and speaks next to the hive.
I smile affectionately at him. He’s such a sweet man. “What did you say?” I ask as he steps back.
“Ah, I can’t tell you. It’s the hive’s secret.”
“Can I do one?”
“Are you sure?”
I nod, suddenly eager. “I want to talk to them.”
“Okay. Stand where I did. Don’t put your hand on the hive.”
“Oh my god, don’t they like that?”
“You might overturn the hive.”
“Oh, okay. We do not want to see that happen.” I shake my head. “Shut up,” I say as he starts to laugh.
I step closer very carefully. This is as close as I’ve ever been to a hive, and I can hear a monotonous buzzing. I lean in. The sun is warm through my helmet thing, and I can smell cut grass, and suddenly I know what to say.
“I want to stay,” I tell the bees. It might be my imagination, but it seems there’s a sudden stillness about the hive, as if the bees have stopped whatever they’re doing and are listening intently. “I want him to fall in love with me.”
I step back, and Zeke takes my hand and walks me to the end of the field. There, he pulls off our veils and looks at me for a long second. His eyes are very green. Then he bends to kiss me, and the world spins away.
When I open my eyes, I’m dazzled for a moment, but then his eyes meet mine, and he smiles. “Will you stay?”
“Stay for what? To work on the farm with you? Or to live here?” I bite my lip, unable to believe I just said that. I relax when I see his expression.
He doesn’t attempt to hide his happiness. It’s in his eyes and that full mouth so soft on his hard face. I’ve spent so long playing games in London that I forgot that Zeke’s currency is honesty. True to form, he draws me close, and I go willingly, feeling his arms tighten strong and sure around me.
“Maybe all of that, but how about we take it one day at a time? This is too important to rush.”
“I can do slower.” I pull back slightly and look at him as an idea suddenly kindles to life in my brain. “And it seems to me that you really need someone to organise a gift shop for the honey farm.”
His eyes twinkle. “And would you happen to know anyone who would want that job?”
I put my hands on my hips. “Well, it seems you’re in luck. I do happen to know a twink that would be perfect for the role.”
“But is he sassy?” he says gravely. “I’m afraid that job is only suitable for a very sassy person.”
“He’s the sassiest. And he used to take his clothes off for money.”
“Can I just say how much I adore seeing that skill listed on someone’s CV?” I laugh, and he taps his lips in a thoughtful gesture. “Well, how fortunate. And that person could stay in one of the holiday cottages if he liked.”
“I can do that.” I add honestly, “Although I’ll probably want to move in with you eventually.”
“And you can be absolutely certain that I want that too.” He hugs me close, pressing a kiss onto my mouth.
“Is this too fast?” I ask when he pulls back.
Like always, he gives my words serious consideration. “Maybe if we’d met just this week,” he finally says. “But I’ve known you for what feels like most of my life.” He pauses. “You’d be leaving your life in London, though.”
“It’s not a life I’ve ever particularly wanted. You know me. I’m a country boy at heart.”
His smile makes his eyes very bright. He hesitates and then says in a rush, “So, will you give this a chance? Because I feel like this could be everything. Will you stay this time for us?”
I lean up and kiss him again. Then I pull back and whisper against his lips, “Yes.”
The sun beats down on us, and the scent of the hawthorn reaches me just as a bee buzzes past my head. It does a lazy circuit before flying away, and I wonder if I’m silly to think that Zeke’s bees just gave their approval.