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Texas Two Steps: Kristy and Jim
A Short Story
Jim Hennessey parked in front of the small, brick house and checked the address he had written down on a slip of paper. Yep, he was at the right place. Stone Creek wasn't a large town, but it was growing by leaps and bounds. He hadn't been in this newer neighborhood more than half a dozen times. The brisk West Texas breeze ruffled the leaves of the old oak and pecan trees on this bright spring morning.
Climbing out of his late model Ford pickup, Jim walked to the front door. He took a deep breath and knocked. Even though he'd been rescuing swarms of honeybees for almost five years, he still felt a little awkward and nervous about meeting strangers.
The door opened and a nice looking woman holding a baby in her arms stared at him from behind the screen. "Yes? May I help you?"
Jim cleared his throat. "You called about the bees?"
"Oh thank goodness, you're here!" She pushed open the screen door and stepped out onto the porch. "I've been freaking out worrying about them. They're in a tree in the back yard. Come on, I'll show you." She brushed past him and a whiff of subtle perfume shot a jolt of awareness through him, hitting low beneath the belt.
She was a looker, that was for sure. Medium height and slender, but with the kind of curves that made a man salivate. Short blond hair and big blue eyes. Jim admired her nice firm butt encased in white shorts as he followed her around the house. The baby peeked at him over the woman's shoulder.
Oh yeah. The baby. Too bad the sexy lady was married.
When they reached the gate, the woman turned around. "I don't want to go back there with the baby. If you walk through the gate, you'll see a huge clump of bees high up in the old pecan tree. There must be thousands of them."
"I'll take a look and see what I can do," he said. "I'm Jim Hennessey, by the way. Your baby sure is cute."
"Thanks, but he isn't mine." The woman smiled a friendly smile. "I'm babysitting for my sister while she's out shopping. I'm Kristy Baker--nice to meet you." She hitched the baby on her hip and stuck out her hand.
No wedding band, Jim was glad to note. He gave her hand a firm shake, then quickly released it. He reached for the baby's hand, touching the tiny fingers. "Hey, buddy. Nice to meet you, too."
Kristy laughed, a deep-throated chuckle that made Jim think of tangled sheets and sweaty bodies. Damn, the woman had ignited his libido, big time.
"Say hello to the nice man, Steven." The baby blew spit bubbles and grinned. Kristy nuzzled her nephew's neck, then kissed the top of his head. "Well, I know you want to get to those bees. I'll take the baby back in the house and watch from there."
Jim nodded. "Sounds like a plan." He walked to the back yard and inspected the swarm of bees high on the tree trunk, then returned to his truck for his equipment. After suiting up and putting on his gloves and veil, he was ready. Glancing at the windows at the back of the house, he saw Kristy looking out of one. She smiled and waved and he waved back.
You'd think he'd be used to an audience by now, but he wasn't. Especially when the audience consisted of a sexy blond who smelled delicious. He'd always been on the shy side, much to his chagrin. When they'd shaken hands, an electric current had zipped through his system. Was she seeing anyone? Maybe he'd ask her out. He certainly was attracted to her, and it had been a long time since he'd dated anyone. Too long, in fact. A bee buzzed by Jim's ear, recalling him to the job at hand.
From the safety of the kitchen window, Kristy watched Jim spread an old tarp on the ground and place a squatty white box on top. He climbed a ladder and with a few swift strokes of his long wooden brush, he knocked the mound of bees off the tree and onto the tarp. With athletic grace, he jumped down from the ladder and stood looking at the bees on the ground. She couldn't see what they were doing, but after a while, Jim seemed satisfied. Folding his ladder, he disappeared around the garage. It would take several trips to gather up the bees and equipment.
He was an attractive man and seemed kind of on the shy side. Tall and powerfully built, he had a thick muscular neck and broad shoulders. Dark hair and brows complimented his rugged good looks. His lips were full and he had a cleft in his strong chin. That quick firm handshake had produced delightful tingles of awareness. And when he had shaken the baby's small hand, Kristy had sensed a gentleness in him that had touched a chord deep inside. She liked his smile. That smile had touched something deep inside, too. She hadn't felt such a strong sensual tug for anyone in a long time. Most of the dates she'd been on lately had left much to be desired. Not much desire whatsoever, as a matter of fact.
Laying the baby down for his nap, Kristy waited on the front porch for Jim to return from the backyard with the last load of his stuff. Maybe she should stand near his truck. Or would that be too obvious? Before she could make up her mind, the beekeeper rounded the corner of the house. Bees were zigzagging around the box he was carrying, but they didn't seem to bother him. Kristy was glad she was safe on the porch.
After Jim placed the box in the truck-bed, he climbed out of his white bee suit and tossed it in the cab. He put on his black Stetson and made a beeline toward Kristy. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.
Jim stopped before he reached the steps to the porch and tipped back his hat. "I think I got most of them. There might be a few stragglers for the next couple of days, but nothing to worry about. They won't hurt you."
"Thank you so much." Before she lost her nerve, she added, "Could I offer you a glass of lemonade before you go? That looks like hot work in that heavy white suit."
He stared at her, then quickly glanced away. Yes, the man was definitely shy, but she'd seen heat flare in his eyes. She wasn't the only one feeling the sensual tug.
"That sounds good," Jim said, "but I can't stay. I have a bottle of water in the truck and I need to get that hive box to my bee yard as soon as possible. Well, it was nice meeting you." He wiped his hand on his jeans and extended it for a farewell shake.
Would she feel that spark again? She put her hand in his and strong fingers held her fast. Sure enough, electricity zinged up her arm. His brown eyes caught her gaze and he looked at her lips. Kristy felt her nipples tingle with alertness.
Jim dropped her hand and stepped back. "I'd best be leaving now. Goodbye."
Kristy swallowed her disappointment as he turned and walked to his truck. She watched him drive away and felt she'd missed her chance. Chance for what, Kristy? Don't be so emo. But she couldn't help thinking that maybe she should have asked him to dinner or something. She'd probably never see him again and that would be a shame.
The next day was Sunday and Kristy found her thoughts drifting around Jim Hennessey more often than not. After lunch, she walked out in the backyard and stared up at the old pecan tree where the swarm of bees had landed. Just like Jim had said, there were a number of stragglers whizzing in the air around the upper trunk of the tree. Lost and searching for their queen, no doubt. She'd Googled about honeybees and swarms last night. She now knew more than she'd ever need to know about the subject. When a couple of bees whizzed around her head, Kristy hurried back inside. Jim had said they wouldn't hurt her and so had her research, but she still didn't trust the little suckers.
She half-heartedly cleaned and straightened the kitchen, then plopped down for a while to read. She needed a distraction. Suddenly, there was a knock on her front door. When she opened it, Jim stood on the other side of the screen, much like he had yesterday. Only today, his short dark hair was neatly combed, and he had on a nice shirt and a crisp pair of Wranglers. His boots were polished and he held a bottle of golden honey in his hand. Kristy felt a fluttering in her chest and she gripped the door handle tightly.
"I came to check on the bees," Jim said, his voice sounding a little rusty. He cleared his throat. "And if the offer's still good, I'd like some of that lemonade."
Wow. The shy man had come back on the flimsiest excuse. Thank God. Kristy smiled. "Sure, the offer's still good." She ope
ned the door, and Jim stepped inside. He was bigger and taller than she'd remembered. His masculine presence filled the living room.
Jim cleared his throat again. He was clearly nervous which touched Kristy's heartstrings. "I brought you a jar of honey. I hope you like it."
"Oh, yes. Very much. Thank you." She took the bear-shaped bottle and held it close to her chest. "Come on in the kitchen. I'll get you a glass of lemonade and we can talk."
"I'd like that." His deep voice washed over her, making her stomach feel heavy and edgy.
The kitchen seemed to shrink as soon as Jim stepped into the room. Yes, he was a big man. His powerful thighs strained the seams of his denim jeans. Tendons and muscles showed clearly on his tanned arms.
Kristy poured two glasses of lemonade. She needed to cool down fast before she did something stupid like throw herself against that massive chest and beg him to kiss her.
What in the world had come over her?
"Here you go." She set the glass on the table and sank into her chair across from him.
"Thank you kindly." His voice was a deep baritone that sent chills and thrills through her system. Damn, she had a major case of the hots for the shy beekeeper.
Jim took a long drink of the lemonade. Kristy watched his throat work as he swallowed. His neck was muscular and she had the wildest desire to trail kisses all over it. Sitting across the table from him, she could smell his spicy aftershave. She wished she could snuggle close, burrow her nose against that tanned skin and inhale deeply.
His scent was driving her crazy. It must be driving her crazy. How could she think such thoughts about a stranger? A man she didn't even know. She knew nothing about Jim Hennessey other than he was a beekeeper and he was shy. And sinfully handsome.
He set the glass on the table and traced his finger over the drops of condensation. "It's very good. You make it fresh?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. "
He nodded and continued to trace the side of his glass. Kristy had never dealt with a shy man before. There was something kind of sweet about it. He glanced up, caught her eyes and held them hostage. With hands that trembled slightly, Kristy picked up her lemonade and took a sip. Nothing sweet in his gaze though. It was anything but sweet.
Hot, scorching, feral. Oh my.
Jim cleared his throat and pushed back his chair. "Think I'll go check on those bees, if you don't mind."
Kristy hopped up and headed for the back door. "I'll go with you. There've been some stragglers, just as you predicted."
Jim beat her to the door and opened it for her. He smiled that melting smile of his. "After you."
"Thank you." She hurried past him through the door and onto the back porch. Once outside, Kristy walked toward the old pecan tree. "Not many left as you can see. They're fascinating creatures. But of course, you already know that."
"Yes, I do. People take them for granted, that's for sure."
He circled the tree, looking up at the trunk where the swarm had landed. Only four or five bees were left flying restlessly about. After he completed his inspection, he stopped next to her. He cleared his throat once again. Poor man. He really was shy.
"Would you--?" he asked, just as she started to say: "I want to thank--"
They stared at one another for half a second, then both of them laughed.
"Ladies first," Jim said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
Such a gentleman. "I just wanted to thank you for coming over so quickly yesterday and taking the bees away. Like I said, I was really freaking out about them. Now, I know I really didn't need to be so scared, but that was a whole lot of bees. Do they like their new home?"
"I hope so." Jim shoved his hands in his jeans. "Would you like to go to the bee yard and see them for yourself? That's what I was going to ask you." He looked down at his boots, then back at Kristy. "You don't have to go. Just thought you might want to check on your bees."
"My bees?"
Ruddy color stained his cheeks. "I name all my hives. I call that one Kristy's hive."
How sweet was that? "How many hives do you have?"
"Fifteen, counting yours. So do you want to see the bees?"
"Sure. Let me get my bag."
****
Driving through town on the way to the bee yard, Jim turned down Main Street. Most everything in Stone Creek was closed on this bright spring Sunday afternoon. The Music Shoppe. The Mane Event. Even Defalco's Italian Restaurant. He wondered if Kristy would go to dinner with him one night. He'd like to take her out and get to know her better.
Hell, don't lie to yourself, Hennessey. What you really want is to get her into bed. He'd been rock hard ever since he'd left her house yesterday.
"Where is your bee yard?" Kristy asked. She angled that curvy body his way and looked at him out of those baby blues. The cab of the truck seemed to shrink in size. Her sexy perfume wafted all around.
Jim gripped the steering wheel. Damn, he hadn't been this attracted to a woman in ages. "I keep them out behind Lou Malek's barn. He lives outside of town right before you get to Coyote Dam. It won't take long to get there."
Her arched brows lifted in surprise. "So, you keep your bees on someone else's property?"
He glanced at her, then quickly returned his gaze to the road. If she continued to stare at him out of those gorgeous bedroom eyes, he might be tempted to pull over and park and kiss those luscious pink lips. He thrust that thought from his over-heated brain and cleared his throat "Well, I guess I could keep them at my house, but I live over by the elementary school. Not an ideal place for bees. They usually don't hurt anyone, but they do defend their hives. Best to keep them away from people just to be on the safe side."
Kristy nodded. "Oh, definitely. Do you get stung often?"
Jim thought he'd like to get stung by her. He shrugged. "Once in while. Most of my hives are fairly calm. Here we go." He turned the truck off the main highway onto a dirt road and drove for a couple of minutes. Stopping at a gate, he climbed out to open it, then got back in the truck and drove through. He parked behind the big red barn.
Kristy looked out the back window. "Aren't you going to close the gate?"
Jim shook his head. "Looks like the cattle are down by the creek. It'll be okay. We're not staying long." He climbed out of the pickup and walked around to open the door for Kristy.
She made no move to get out. "I'm not so sure about this," she said in a gruff little voice.
Jim smiled. "It's perfectly safe. I do it all the time. Come on. You want to see your bees, don't you?"
Kristy bit her bottom lip. "Can't I just see them from here?"
"You'll want a closer look than this. Come on, honey." Jim took her hand and helped her out of the truck.
They walked to where three rows of five hives stood proud and tall. Bees zipped around through the air, zinging past them, coming and going from the hives.
Kristy ducked her head at a near miss. "I think this is close enough. Just point to it."
"Aw, come on, honey. Don't be scared. Relax. It's just a little farther." Jim led Kristy to the third row of tall white boxes and the last hive. "Here we are. This one's yours."
Kristy stood beside Jim and looked at her hive. He'd taken her hand in his to help her out of the truck and hadn't let go. His clasp was strong and sure; his big hands rough and calloused. She wondered what he did for a living. He wasn't a desk jockey, working inside an office every day, that was for sure. Not if his dark tanned skin and work-hardened hands were any indication. And the way he called her honey just about made her insides melt.
"What do you think?" he asked, squeezing her hand and sending electrical charges shimmering up her arm.
I think I'm falling for you fast. That's what. "Why is my hive shorter than all the others?"
"The others have supers for the extra honey the bees are making. Yours is just the hive body. Your bees are still settling in. I'll put supers on your hive when they start to make more honey."
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p; Kristy watched the bees going in and out of the hive. "They seem to be happy with their new home. They sure are busy. Ouch! Ouch!" She swatted a bee on her arm, then another. She jerked her hand from Jim's and turned to run, swinging her arms this way and that, trying to deflect the stinging missiles.
Before she knew what was happening, Jim scooped her up in his arms and sped for the truck. "Don't swat them. That only makes it worse." He held her close and she could feel the strength of his muscles and the warmth of his skin. His aftershave teased her senses.
He opened the driver's side door and dumped Kristy onto the bench seat and jumped in beside her, slamming the door shut. One or two bees flew in the truck, but Jim dealt with them in swift order.
"Don't rub those welts or try to pull the stingers out," he said. "You'll only make the poison release faster. Sit still. I'll take care of you." He dug in his back pocket and took out his wallet. He removed a credit card and set the wallet on the dashboard.
"What are you going to do?" Kristy asked, eyeing the credit card and the stinging welts on her arms. They hurt like hell.
"I wouldn't have had this happen for the world. Usually, my bees are calm, even docile. I'm so sorry." Jim took Kristy's arm in a firm grip and carefully scraped the edge of the credit card across one welt until the tiny stinger popped loose. He did the same with the other two welts, then sat back. "That should help. You're not allergic, are you?"
Kristy stared at the red bumps on her arm, then looked at the man sitting so close to her. She could feel the heat from his big body, and she could see the golden flecks in the irises of the dark brown eyes. "I don't think so. I'm not sure. Thanks for getting those stingers out."
"Don't thank me. I feel awful about it. I wouldn't have had you hurt for anything." Jim grabbed his wallet and replaced the credit card. He stuffed it back in his pocket, then leaned across Kristy to open the glove box.
Kristy's stomach clenched at the contact. She forced herself to sit still and not reach out and touch him. You'd think the pain of the bee stings would diminish the attraction, but somehow it didn't. His big body was jammed against her in the confines of the truck. He felt hard and strong. Heat and energy radiated from his big body.
Texas Two Steps Four-Pack Bundle Page 3
