Page 30 of The Payback Adventure
“I have Benadryl in the truck,” Gabe offered nonchalantly.
Henry slapped his arm and stumbled but managed to keep moving forward.
Gabriel grimaced. “I think he just got stung.”
“Cool,” Sam said.
It wasn’t cool. Not at all. Elisabeth felt so useless, watching Henry try to outrun the bees. But Gabe was right. They could do nothing to help him.
“Even running from bees”—Theresa pinched her cheeks to give them color—“Henry looks attractive.”
Gabe snorted. “He looks like an idiot.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Elisabeth said, even though most other men did look like idiots compared to Gabriel Logan, who was ruggedly handsome with beautiful blue eyes and a grin that made women, except for Elisabeth and his five sisters, swoon.
“I agree. Not an idiot.” Theresa combed her fingers through her short brown hair. “It’s more of a run-for-your-life, I-think-I’m-going-to-die kind of cuteness.”
Abby took a step forward. “The bees are slowing down.”
“They must be tired of chasing him.”
Henry continued running after the bees stopped. A part of Elisabeth wished he would run off her property and keep going.
“I can’t believe he hasn’t slowed down.” Theresa sounded impressed. “He must be in really good shape.”
Henry raced toward the barn. Sweat dampened his hair, beaded on his face, and drenched his shirt. Dirt covered the thighs of his jeans. His cheeks were red and his breathing ragged. He skidded to a stop, braced his hands on his knees, and leaned over to catch his breath.
“Are you okay?” Elisabeth asked, concerned.
He nodded. “Talk about a workout. They should add a swarm of bees to the Olympics. Bet we’d see a new world record.”
She glanced at his face and arms but couldn’t see any red marks. “Did you get stung?”
Henry stuck out his hand. Two spots were red and swollen. “They’ll be okay.”
She moved closer and took his injured hand in hers. He smelled of sweat, dirt, and fresh grass. The scent appealed to her more than it should. She released his hand. “What happened?”
“I cut a corner too close.” Henry straightened. “The mower knocked over a stack of hives. I didn’t see any beesflying around, so I thought I’d put them back.”
“You never touch a hive,” Abby said, reciting the rule the beekeeper had taught them.
“Never ever,” Caitlin added.
He grinned. “I know that now.”
Today had been nothing but one lesson after another for Henry. Talk about a learning curve. Elisabeth hoped he improved tomorrow. She handed him a spare bottle of water. “Is the tractor okay?”
He nodded and drank half the bottle. “The hives don’t look damaged either, but I couldn’t see all of them. They’re still on the ground.”
“Just leave them.” Elisabeth didn’t want him near the bees. Near anything. Maybe it was time for that cost-benefit analysis. “I’ll call the beekeeper.”
As Henry glanced around, his eyes widened, and the red on his cheeks deepened. “I didn’t realize you had company.” He managed a smile, and Elisabeth respected that after having made a fool of himself with the bees in front of everybody. “I’m Henry.”
“Theresa Logan. Best friend and sometimes babysitter.” She wet her lips. “This is my brother.”
“Gabe Logan.” His tone was wary, but he extended his arm.
Henry wiped his hand on his jeans and shook Gabe’s hand.
