The Bee Charmer

by Jamallah Bergman

  Sure, he was handsome, too handsome she’d always thought with a smile that probably melted hundreds of hearts since the day he was born. That first day she spotted him coming from the hives when Mrs. Hewitt introduced her to him…she thought that he couldn’t be for real, looking the way he did. With that golden blonde hair which seemed to brighten up more when the sun would hit it, along with those striking blue eyes. When he gazed into her eyes yesterday, it sent goose bumps all over her skin and her nipples to grow so erect that they still hurt even after he left. Bee Charmer…yes, that charm was as sweet as the honey he makes. At the naughty thought, she giggled. Bet he tastes as sweet, too. Pamelia never got nervous around men, but with this one…there was no denying that she was very attracted to Jeremy.

  Now, here they were about to go out on a date this evening. She heard the phone ringing inside and got up to see who it might be.

  The caller ID stated that it was her sister. “Hey there, what’s going on in your neck of the woods?”

  “Well…” She walked back out to the porch to sit down. “…I was sitting out on the porch, drinking my coffee and enjoying the morning. What are you up to?”

  “You know Chris and I have talked back and forth about getting one of those food trucks because we’ve seen that they’ve been doing pretty good, especially during the summertime. I talked with a friend of mine who does great selling her cakes and pies from off the truck wherever she goes. So, Chris talked with some people who own a food truck that isn’t real old, practically new. He bought it like three months ago and decided that he didn’t want to venture into it. We decided to buy it off of him and so now, you can say we are expanding.”

  “You know I’ve seen some of those food trucks before and they seem to do real good. Plus, it will get you guys more notice for folks to come to the restaurant. It sounds so exciting and I’m happy for you both.”

  “Thanks sis, I knew you’d be happy. So what are your plans for today?”

  “Well, I’m thinking about what I am going to wear tonight.”

  “What’s going on tonight?”

  “Oh…” She took another sip of coffee. “I have a date.”

  Her sister squealed over the phone. “A date, No way! Well, who is it?”

  “Jeremy Hewitt.”

  “Oh, so finally he came around to asking you out. I went on the website for the farm and saw his picture…oooh, boy…he is handsome. Maybe you two might hook up for good after this date huh?”

  “I swear you sound like Lily, both of you ready to make our wedding date already. But yeah, he did ask me out for dinner and dancing by the river.”

  “Well, since it’s a nice sunny day and all, then wear one of your maxi dresses and bring a wrap since I know it does get kind of cool. When you look into that closet, it will catch your attention and you’ll know which dress to pick out.”

  “You know what?” Pamelia got up from her chair, went back inside to her room. “I think I might just have the very dress in here. I bought it…” She went into the closet, which she was thankful it was a big walk in one and pushed aside some of the clothes until she got to the very back. This was where she kept outfits that were meant for eveningwear.

  “Which one did you find?”

  She’d gotten the maxi dress over a year ago, she wore it to a friend of hers wedding and had gotten so many compliments for how she looked in it. It was a beautiful long flowing floral print empire dress that was accented with lovely pink flowers and brown stems along a white background. The pink sash that went along the middle and the V neck made the dress a win for her since she could fill it out the front as the straps went around her back of her neck. “Remember the dress I wore to Val’s wedding?”

  “Oh yes, that would look so good with your hair up and some hoop earrings,” Veronica suggested.

  Pamelia laid it out on the bed. “Well, now I’ve got to find my shoes and I’ll be set for tonight.”

  “I hope you have fun, hell I know you will have fun. You deserve to have a hot as hell man showing you a good time, plus you need to get you some this weekend. You’ve had a dry spell as long as the Sahara been a desert.”

  Pamelia coughed to the point of choking and for a minute almost felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Eventually, she composed herself while going into the kitchen. “Oh, too funny, Just remember that I know about those leather restraints that you and Chris tried that time and you ended up getting all hot and heavy then—”

  “All right…I don’t even want to hear about that anymore. I won’t say another word about your sex life.”

  Pamelia chuckled while pouring another cup, “I’ll talk with you later. I have to run into town and grab a couple of things. Love you bunches and congrats on the truck venture.”

  “Thanks sis and love you.”

  After getting herself together, Pamelia went into town to run her errands that she normally did during the weekend which consisted of going to the store to grab a few groceries and making a stop to the Candy Kitchen to help satisfy her sweet tooth. Then she stopped off at Mitchell’s hardware store to see about getting a few potted plants for the front along with some seeds to start up that fresh herb garden she had been wanting. She ran into Athena and Weston there who looked like they were picking up a few things themselves.

  “Hello, Pamelia dear.” Athena smiled when she walked her way with Weston not too far behind.

  “Hi, I see you both are running errands too.”

  “Weston wanted to get some nails and I wanted to get out from the restaurant for a bit, so I hitched a ride. What all do you got, looks like you are planting some herbs?”

  “Yeah, I was going to plant some fresh herbs because I love cooking with them and whenever I go to the store to get some fresh ones, they are so expensive. So, I’d rather grow my own. I also wanted to get some plants for the porch since it looks so bare.”

  “If you need any help with those plants, let us know and we’ll help out for sure,” Weston told her with a wink and a smile. “I’ll be back hon,”

  “Okay, I’ll go with Pamelia and then we’ll meet you up front.”

  He left the two alone as they headed over to where the seed packets were.

  While she was trying to find some basil and Athena was helping her with finding some cilantro she uttered, “So, are you excited about your date tonight?”

  With the question, Pamelia stood wide-eyed while she thought her heart had stopped beating. She shook her head and smiled. “Lord have mercy, isn’t anything sacred?”

  Athena laughed. “Hon, nothing is sacred within the Hewitt family, especially when it’s something this epic.”

  “Epic, what do you mean?”

  “Well, I don’t think you realize this but you are probably the first woman that Jeremy has been interested in for a very long time now, and I do mean really interested in. But I have to say I am very happy that he chose you, because he’s had chances with others and I didn’t see in them what I do in you.”

  Pamelia didn’t know what to say but she did smile. “I didn’t want you to think I normally go out on dates with my boss.”

  “Oh, that’s understandable. But, really my dear, he isn’t your boss, technically, you know. I can say that Jeremy is a good man and I’m not just saying that because he’s my son but he would make any woman he’s with very happy. Did you need some parsley too, I found some?”

  “Oh yes, and if you find some dill let me know.” Pamelia secretly chuckled at how Athena managed to neatly change the subject. They continued their scavenger hunt of herbs until Pamelia found the ones she wanted.

  Once they got up to the front to check out, Weston was talking with some other older men as the cashier wrung everything up for her.

  “I had some hanging plants that I had picked out as well as some potted ones too, oh they are over there.” She pointed towards four baskets of lavender petunias as well as two potted snapdragons, which was her Aunt’s favorite flower.

  “Oh, those are
lovely. You do have an eye for color,” Athena mentioned.

  “Thanks, they are both mine and my Aunt’s favorite color as well as flower too.” Pamelia handed her debit card to the clerk. “I plan on hanging them up when I get home. I’ve wanted to put some up but been so busy. It’s just a little project I want to do for myself.”

  “Oh, I completely understand, Weston dear, come and help us with these plants to Pamelia’s car.”

  “Sure thing,” He grabbed two of the hanging plants in each hand while she and Athena grabbed the other potted ones as well as the rest of her things.

  Once outside, Pamelia used her key bob to open the back of her SUV.

  Once he put everything in and helped them with their things, he closed the trunk. “We better be heading on home, if you need any help with those flowers just give us a call and we’ll come and help out.”

  “Oh, this is a project she’s going to be doing on her own, Weston dear.”

  “Oh, a little DIY then huh, Well, I can understand wanting to do a little around the house to spruce things up.” He smiled while making his way over to his truck.

  “I’ll be seeing you on Monday then, have a great time with Jeremy this evening.” She gave Pamelia a wink and waved before getting into her car.

  Chapter Eleven

  When Pamelia stepped into the shower after hours of being outside, hanging up baskets as well as planting some of the herbs, she felt so much relief to be able to wash off all the sweat and dirt she’d accumulated. Once out of the shower and dried completely off, she walked into her room to put on her underwear and bra, then her lotion before putting on her dress. Looking at herself in the full-length mirror, she adjusted the straps that went along the back of her neck to make it more comfortable for her. Staring at her reflection for a moment, Pamelia thought that everything looked good, she started to do her hair up, just like how her sister suggested while picking up bobby pin after bobby pin to keep it up.

  Glancing over at the alarm clock, she only had ten minutes before he would be here and she wanted to be ready for him. It’d been a long time since she’d been out on a date and tonight would have to be perfect for a first one. Thank God, she still had the flower barrette she bought to go with the dress in her jewelry box. Next she clipped it to the side of her hair. Thankfully, she didn’t need much makeup, just a little eyeliner then some lipstick did and voilà…instant beauty. It wasn’t until she started to spritz some perfume on her neck when she heard the doorbell ringing.

  “I know this couldn’t be him, I’m not even ready yet.” Going to the door, she peeked through the peephole and saw him standing there. She shouted, “You know you are early.”

  He grinned without denying it at all. “You must not be ready then?”

  “I’m almost ready, if you give me just a couple more minutes, I’ll be out.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll sit out here on the porch until you’re done.”

  Pamelia went back to her room, finishing where she left off when she was about to put on her earrings, still eyeing herself in the full-length mirror. Well, this is it. She walked over to slip her feet into the sling back wedges. “Everything is going to turn out great, because you have a handsome man who is going to take you out and show you a lovely time.” Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her clutch purse to put in her lipstick, her small bottle of perfume along with that pack of mints she got from the Candy Kitchen. When she made her way to the door, Pamelia walked out onto the porch and saw him stand up from the rocking chair.

  The look on his face was exactly what she wanted to see…shock and awe.

  Jeremy didn’t look half bad himself, wearing a pair of blue jeans, a white shirt and an open tangerine jacket as he muttered, “Wow, I—well, I uh…”

  “What is it?” It was the first time ever that she knew him to be at a loss for words.

  “You look like a vision of loveliness this evening, Pamelia.”

  She found herself blushing, but took him by the arm and told him, “Let’s go.”

  ~* * * *~

  On the way to the restaurant, Jeremy told Pamelia what all he knew about the place. “Johnny’s Seafood Shack has been in Oak Glen since the late seventies which also makes it the only place in town to get real good seafood. Plus it’s the hot spot for some of the local bands for some real good music. It’d been built along the McCormick River, made out to be like one of those restaurants by the sea made of wood and decorated with sea décor along with other assorted eclectic things that had no business being there in the first place.”

  Pamelia laughed and shook her head.

  “Yeah, apparently, it all had to do with the fact that Johnny MacDonald was always going from state to state along each coast, gathering up things to put into his restaurant to make it just as crazy as he was.”

  Now, they both laughed

  There was a nice sized crowd but Jeremy already called ahead to make sure they had a spot that was private along the water. When she came out the door onto the deck, Jeremy never thought he would see her looking any more stunning than the other night at the exhibit. He noticed the eyes of most of the men were looking their way, especially at her on his arm and Jeremy knew what they were thinking. The lucky son of a bitch always gets the prettiest women.

  Their waiter greeted them. “Here are your menus. Would you like something to drink before you eat?”

  “Some water with lemon for me please,” Pamelia told him.

  “Same here for me, so, how do you like the place so far?” he asked her. He noticed her looking around and for someone who’d never been to Johnny’s before, it was nothing new. It took a while to get used to the place the first time around. Then he noticed her gazing behind him, puzzled at first but then trying her best to stifle her laughter. “What is it?” He looked behind him and saw the big moose head wearing a Skipper’s hat, sunglasses, and a smoking pipe in its mouth.

  “What in the world is that?”

  “Oh, that’s Captain Lucky the Moose, the mascot of Johnny’s Seafood Shack,” Jeremy replied.

  “But, it’s a moose.”

  “Yeah, I know it’s a moose, but he’s the mascot.”

  Her mouth was agape and she looked so confused while staring up at the Lucky, but no matter what her expression was, she was still so gorgeous. “But it’s a moose Jeremy, a moose. I can see if it was a dolphin or a shark even, but a moose? I just don’t get it.”

  “If you knew Johnny, then you would know why he decided to have a moose as a mascot for a seafood restaurant.”

  “He must have been some man.” She smiled.

  “Oh, he still is. I know he’s got to be around here somewhere,” The waiter came over with their water and he asked, “Is Johnny around tonight?”

  “Oh yeah, he’s over at the bar, would you like for him to come over here?”

  “If he’s not too busy, just tell him that the honey man is here.” Jeremy then turned back to Pamelia. “I think that you’ll like what they have here to eat, everything is good.”

  Pamelia was giggling.

  “What?’ He asked.

  “Honey man?” she gave him a wink as she laughed.

  Before he could even open his mouth to respond, he heard someone shout out, “Honey Man!”

  Pamelia swiveled her head to the shout.

  He came from in between the tables, making a beeline towards them and wearing something that not even his Jeremy’s dad would be caught wearing but of course, it was the usual Johnny attire for this time of year. It consisted of a loud Hawaiian shirt, a pair of white shorts, a fisherman cap with too many pins from different places that he’d been, along with those from some of his favorite customers. His hair was grey and stringy along with the beard around a brilliant white smile. “How are you Honey Man? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you here.” Then he looked over and saw Pamelia and that’s when the good ole’ ‘Johnny charm’ came out. “And who is this lovely lady with you?” He grabbed a chair and brought it next
to her as she glanced over at Jeremy. “I’ve never seen you here before and I know basically every young lady here in Oak Glen.”

  “Well, this is my first time coming here, so that’s probably why we’ve never met.”

  “And why is it that you have never been here before to see me?”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come before.” Pamelia playfully pouted.

  “Johnny, I want you to meet Ms. Pamelia Stewart, she’s working on the farm and at the gift shop. Pamelia, this is Johnny MacDonald, the owner of the Shack.”

  “It’s nice to meet you Mr. MacDonald.”

  He took her hand and lightly kissed it, then started to spout out some French which of course, was part of Johnny’s banter.

  What shocked Jeremy was the fact that she came back at him with some French of her own.

  Jonny now looked infatuated and impressed by her. “Not only is she gorgeous Jeremy but smart as a whip too. You’ve got yourself something here for sure. Now, you order anything on the menu since you are new here, you are my very special guest tonight and if anything you get and you don’t like, let me know and I’ll make sure to take it right back. Have you figured out what you want for an appetizer?”

  “Um…not really I haven’t even checked to see what was on the menu yet.”

  “Well, why don’t you check it out and I’ll have the guys whip you up one of our sampler platters for appetizers.” He patted her hand, still grinning from ear to ear as he left the two alone.

  They both started to laugh.

  “It seems I have a little bit of competition,” Jeremy joked.

  “He seems very sweet.”