Arabella covered her mouth and giggled.
“You guys got hiking gear?”
“I’ve still got some boots from when we went that one time in college. Bella?” She nodded. “We’re golden, Kyle. Just tell us when.”
“I’ll pick you both up tomorrow morning at seven.”
“Tomorrow morning at seven. We’ll meet you at The Coffee Pot, so you don’t have to drive out to get both us.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan. Talk to you tomorrow,” Kyle said.
With a wide grin, I replied, “Talk to you then.”
Hitting End, I set my phone down next to my coffee, picked it up, and took a drink.
“Are we really going to do this?” Arabella asked.
“Yep!” I said, popping my p. “Now, let’s talk business.”
Arabella’s eyes widened.
“Before I left, I talked my father into planting a few acres of lavender. It’s done amazingly well. I know things are really picking up here at the apiary, especially with the little café you opened in the gift shop. And I know you have all the lavender plants that the hives are sitting among.”
Arabella smiled as she reached for a bowl and took off the lid to reveal frosting. She picked up a cupcake and started to frost it. “I’m also doing really well selling picnic baskets! I started doing them for friends just for fun, but then word got out and more and more people are asking for me to make them. I have to turn a lot of people away since I don’t have the time.”
“That’s a good thing.”
She shrugged. “Good and bad. I hate turning away business, but the bees are my number one priority, so it’s been a double-edged sword.”
“I get that,” I said.
“What’s your business idea?”
“Lavender honey.”
She perked up. “I’m listening.”
“I have plans to make culinary lavender and sugar lavender. How cute would it be to make up little product bags that bring the flower farm and the apiary together? The ideas are endless! Lavender honey syrup. Lavender and honey soap. Lavender and honey simple syrup! Lavender and honey cookies.”
“Oh, I love that one. I love them all! Yes.” She jumped up. “Oh my gosh, yes! Count me in!”
Arabella and I spent the next few hours writing down ideas and notes while I helped her in the café. Not many people came to the apiary in the winter, since the bees were all in hibernation, but plenty of people came for Arabella’s food. MaryLou, who also worked at the Willow Tree Bed and Breakfast, helped out Arabella a few days a week and was currently making up a batch of chicken salad.
“You need more help,” I said as I grabbed more strawberries to cut up. Arabella had only hired a young high school girl—Misty, I think her name was—to wait tables.
Arabella blew away a stray hair that had fallen down from her bun. “Tell me about it.”
“You need Candace.”
She lifted her head and met my gaze. “I wouldn’t want to lure her away from Greer.”
“You wouldn’t completely take her. Maybe she’d be willing to share her time.”
Arabella blew out a breath. “I don’t know if Candace would be interested.”
“I’m serious, Arabella. Talk to her about it. Did you see the way her eyes lit up when she said how much she liked to bake? She could come in a couple times a week and whip up desserts for you that would last for days!”
Arabella stopped icing the cupcakes and looked at me. “You know, that’s true. I don’t have a set dessert menu; it’s usually whatever MaryLou or I feel like making for that week—and my skills are limited when it comes to baking. It would be nice to offer custom cakes…and Candace did say she makes cakes.”
“All I’m saying is, it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
She seemed to be chewing it over in her head. Then she smiled. “You know what, I’m going to ask her!”
I clapped and hugged her. “Okay, on that high note, I need to get back to the flower farm. I’ll meet you at The Coffee Pot tomorrow morning! No backing out.”
Wiping her hands on her apron, Arabella walked with me as I headed out of the kitchen and through her living room.
Right as I opened the door, I froze. Hunter, Kyle, and Bishop all stood on Arabella’s porch.
Arabella froze next to me. She instantly wrapped her arm around mine. I wasn’t sure if she was doing it for me or for her. Maybe a little bit of both. It had been four days since I’d last seen Bishop. Why did he have to look so damn handsome? His dark blonde hair seemed even darker, and his eyes looked like crystal clear blue water.
“Hey,” Kyle said as he walked over, leaned down, and kissed me on the cheek. Then he did the same to Arabella.
“Um, hey,” I replied, looking from Kyle to Bishop. When his eyes met mine, I felt my stomach flip, just like it had when he’d first started talking to me all those years ago.