Honey Tree Farm
Page 1
Honey Tree Farm
Brenda Spalding
Published by Heritage Publishing.US, 2018.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
HONEY TREE FARM
First edition. June 7, 2018.
Copyright © 2018 Brenda Spalding.
ISBN: 978-1532897603
Written by Brenda Spalding.
This book is dedicated to all the hard-working farmers, ranchers, and of course, the beekeepers, who settled rural Florida. I hope this book will help to tell their story.
The book is also dedicated to my grandson, who loves the great outdoors and all its creatures.
Honey Tree Farm:
For the love of the beekeeper’s daughter
by
Brenda M. Spalding
Copyright © by Brenda M. Spalding, 2016
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published by Heritage Publishing. Us
www.heritagepublishingus.com
This book is dedicated to all the hard working farmers, ranchers, and of course, the beekeepers, who settled rural Florida. I hope this book will help to tell their story.
The book is also dedicated to my grandson, who loves the great outdoors and all its creatures.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
EPILOGUE
Acknowledgments
ABOUT BRENDA SPALDING
BOOKS BY BRENDA SPALDING
EXCERPT OF BROKEN BRANCHES
Chapter 1
Oh, Josh, can we really do this? I would love a break,” called Maggie. She took the coffee carafe and poured two cups of coffee, adding sugar and a healthy portion of International Delight-Caramel Macchiato coffee creamer to hers.
“Coffee’s ready,” she said, as she carried them into the bedroom. She put his on the counter and took a sip of her own.
She finished getting ready for work, making the bed and picking up the few things scattered about the bedroom of the small condo she shared with her boyfriend, Josh Beaumont.
“It would be great to go to Florida. Just think; warm weather, sunshine, beaches, and mojitos every evening.”
“Sure we can,” replied Josh, checking his reflection in the mirror and straightening his collar. "My parents would love to have us.”
Josh had delighted Maggie - or Mary Margaret McDonald is what the plaque on her desk at work read - by suggesting the trip down to his parents’ place in Sarasota for a week. The couple has not had a vacation while Josh was in college and money was still tight. The student loans would take years to repay, but with his new job and her salary they would be relatively comfortable.
They turned out the light, took their coffee and moved into the small kitchen.
"I am looking forward to seeing you in that little bikini," Josh said.
"That sounds risqué," she replied and cocked one eyebrow.
"I only meant you have a fantastic figure, but now that you mentioned it, it is a little bikini.
"Oh, stop." She smiled and turned away. Maggie was attractive, and at five foot seven, with dark auburn hair and blue eyes she turned the heads of men wherever she went. Josh counted himself lucky, and it helped that he didn't have a jealous bone in his body.
“What are you thinking, Josh? You're positively leering at me.”
“I just thought we might reenact the beach scene in the movie ‘From Here to Eternity,” he said, waggling his eyebrows Groucho Marx-style.
“You get me to Florida, and we just might do that,” she exclaimed, throwing the dishtowel at him.
Josh had recently passed his bar exam, and there would be a few weeks before he started his new job. This trip would be a celebration and a little break before he began as an associate with the firm of Bates & Dunlop in Atlanta. Her career was Sales Analyst with First Federal Savings and Loan.
They had met when he went into her bank to open a checking account. It was an instant attraction. That was three years ago, and they were thrilled sharing the small - economical - condo on Peach Tree Street. It would not have been so comfortable if not for the fine restaurants and lounges nearby. Even the historic Fox Theater was within walking distance.
With some wheedling, Maggie was able to rearrange her work schedule. Mr. Ambrose, her boss, had finally granted her the time off. “You know, Maggie, you’d better come back. You’ve been with us quite a few years now, and you've worked your way up the ladder." He used both hands to remove his glasses and held them to the light. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and polished the lenses. "Why, I remember when you started here. It was after high school and before you took those night classes at the college. Mr. Higgins, from the home office, was very impressed with you when he made his quarterly visit.” Ambrose inspected the lenses again. Satisfied, he put them back on adjusting each arm of the thin wire frames. “We think that with a few more courses you would be eligible for another promotion.”
“I appreciate the compliment, and I will be back... don’t you worry,” she replied, with a natural smile.
When Maggie got home, she and Josh began packing.
"I can't believe we got such a reasonable flight on such short notice," he said as he tossed his leather ditty bag onto the baggage.
"We can chalk that up to your detail-oriented, a matter of fact, no-nonsense, type-A personality, my dear Rhett," she said in a soft Southern drawl as she added their bathing suits to the pile in the suitcase.
"Why, Miss Scarlett, what about my manly charm and the charismatic influence that I have on women?" he asked with a mock drawl sounding more like Kentucky than the Old South.
She burst into laughter, and kissed him on the cheek. "If you ever thought of taking up acting... Don't!"
It was a mad dash to ATL through Friday evening traffic. When they finally made it to the airport, Josh handed the cab driver an extra fiver since he'd made almost every light in route. Maggie hurried off to get in line at the baggage counter while Josh hurried to keep up. It was a case of 'hurry up - wait' avoiding collisions and dodging other travelers all rushing in different directions. They made it to the gate just as the overhead voice announced their departing flight.
"I'm exhausted," Maggie said with a sigh. She took the center seat as Josh stashed their carry-on into the overhead storage compartment before sliding into the aisle seat. "Airports exhaust me." She fumbled with the seatbelt, and it finally clicked in place.
"Why don't you close your eyes and get a nap. We've got a short two hours before we land."
"Baby, you'r
e the greatest..."
When Josh would later relate this experience to friends, he would swear that she was asleep before she even finished the sentence.
Chapter 2
Josh picked up the rental car while Maggie freshened up. Although she'd met them a few times, it wouldn't do for Josh's parents to see her uncombed and unkempt.
"What did we get?" she asked, as they met at the exit. "I hope it's the blue Jaguar XE." She flashed a quizzical smile.
"Close. It's a red Ford Mustang V6."
"Perfect." She took his arm, and they strolled through the line of cars with numbered sections until they found the car that matched their ticket. They loaded up and put the top down before heading out the exit.
Tampa airport is well marked, and they quickly found their way to the George J Bean Parkway and I-275 and over the Skyway Bridge.
"My parents came to Florida a lot when they were young. They drove or flew sometimes. In the 80s there were twin bridges here," Josh began. "One day a barge missed the opening and hit the base somewhere in the middle. The twins were so steep that drivers couldn't see that the road had dropped away. Several went over and into the water below. They have a picture taken on their way back. All the traffic had been rerouted onto the surviving twin, and the shot is of the broken bridge. It looked like a giant had taken a bite out of it. Mother was so frightened by the sight that she refused to retake the Skyway Bridge, until after they replaced them."
"When did they move here?"
"They sold the house in Atlanta and moved to Sarasota," he said, "sometime in the 90s. It was well after this bridge was built. They bought a great place behind the Ringling Museum that overlooks the bay."
Maggie laid her head back. The evening air was warm, unlike Atlanta in March. "I can't wait to see it." Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, took off her watch and reached for her purse.
"What are you doing?"
"Our vacation started when we landed..." She dropped it inside and put the purse on the floor again. "...and from this point on there will be no appointments or schedules; therefore, no clocks or watches."
"What if we make reservations at a restaurant?" he asked, aware that he was thwarting her plan.
"I hate it when you do that devil's advocate thing. However, in that case - we will make an exception." She laid her head back drawing in a long refreshing breath of the warm atmosphere.
Gary and Jean Beaumont had been able to retire early, thanks in part to very successful real estate businesses; first in Atlanta and then for several years in Florida. It was easy for them to sell sunshine to Floridians and northerners alike. They joined the local country club early on to meet, make friends and build an acquaintance base; potential clients. Now they were officially retired and spent their free time playing golf, boating, fishing and traveling.
Josh merged onto I-75 south. The sky was clear and once away from city lights Maggie could see the stars.
"You'll like staying with my parents. We can spend as much time on the beach as we like. My parents are always in and out. They keep a very active schedule."
"I look forward to relaxing, too. We can lie around the pool or take a dip in the ocean in the evening. There are a lot of choices. The sun will feel wonderful after Atlanta's cold winter.
"I called Mom and Dad and told them we had a late flight and not to wait up for us. But they will be there with the house lights on.
"Good. Maybe they'll some white wine chilled, too."
"No doubt."
It was almost 1:30am when they spotted the house.
"Let me guess," Maggie said. "It's the house with all the lights on; inside and out."
"You're good. I don't know how you do it." They both laughed.
The front door opened before they could get the key out of the ignition. By the time they opened the doors, they could hear the happy chatter of the two senior citizens rushing toward them.
"Oh, good, you made it. How was the trip?" cooed Jean, who was still dressed in spite of the hour.
"Here, Son. Let me help you put the top up. You can never be sure if it'll rain this time of year."
The next half hour or so was filled with friendly conversations over white wine. Josh grinned, smiled at Maggie and cocked a perceptive eyebrow as if to say 'Told ya.''
"I'm sure the kids are tired. Why don't we show them to their room and call it a night?" Gary suggested. "Tomorrow is almost here, and we've got golf scheduled with the Bakers at 10am."
"That's a good idea," Jean agreed before bounding into her characteristic soft-spoken, but a rapid-fire way of speaking. "I left some brochures on the bureau for you to look through. Maybe you'll see something you like. Soap and towels are on the vanity in your bathroom. We won't wake you, in case you want to sleep in. Help yourself to anything you find in the fridge. Coffee will be ready for you on the counter."
"If you need anything, you can call us on our cells," Gary added, as he gently guided Jean out the door.
Chapter 3
Josh browsed through the brochures as Maggie poured them a second cup of coffee - hers with a hefty portion of International Delight, Hersey's Chocolate Carmel flavor coffee creamer - and his black.
"See anything interesting?" she asked, as she ran her fingers through her auburn hair. "It looks like it might rain."
"I noticed. Why don’t we take a drive to Arcadia? It's a very historical and old Florida. They have some great antique shops. Maybe we can find up something for the condo, you know, as a souvenir.”
"You do realize that I must have been an interior designer in a previous life. I love nothing better than hunting for exceptional objects.
“Then it's a plan,” he replied. “There's a winery out that way, too. It's in one of these brochures. We can surprise Mom and Dad with a bottle for dinner tonight. Dad said they'd bring home some stone crabs if the price is right.”
“Mmm..., stone crabs and wine. That sounds so Florida. We can pick up some salad makings on the way back too. If you google the winery, I’ll clean up these dishes. It’ll only take a minute. We don’t want to leave a mess for your mom."
"Good idea, then we can take off." he walked away.
"Oh, don’t forget your cell phone. Mine is still charging,” she called after him.
I-75 was congested as usual this time of year. They turned onto SR 70 and took the exit east toward Arcadia before catching Country Road 675.
"You were right suggesting we stop at the winery first since it is closer," Maggie said as she watched for the road sign that would take them to the Rosa Fiorelli Winery. "There it is. Turn left there.”
They pulled into the parking lot, tires crunching on the crushed shell driveway.
“Oh, Josh, doesn't this look interesting? I had pictured a replicated stone villa. This is a more modern building, very industrial.”
The parking lot was almost full with license plates were from all over the US. Many from Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan.
"Look! There's one from California, and there's one from Texas," Maggie pointed at the gold Cadillac with spoke wheel covers. “Looks like the snowbirds have already found this place.”
“Uh... we’re snowbirds too, you know.” They both laughed.
“I have a surprise for you. I booked a tour of the winery and wine tasting,” he said, taking her hand.
“Oh, good, Josh." She paused. "But we won't forget about Arcadia, right? I had hoped to do some rummaging through the quaint antique shops there."
“There will be time. It’s a luncheon tour, and then we'll be on our way. I promise.” He turned her into his arms and placed a comforting kiss on her lips. "And if you don't get to see them all, we can come back."
They enjoyed the tour and a leisurely lunch of crackers and cheese while sampling the various wines under the vine-covered pergola. Most of the visitors were older couples and groups.
"Is it my imagination or are we the youngest couple there?" she asked looking around.
Josh took her h
and in his and gently rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. "Do you know how much I love you?”
Maggie smiled at their joined hands on the table. "Yes, I do. I love you too.”
“Well, I was thinking, now that I’m out of law school and starting this great job..." He paused and took a breath. "Well, we might think about a wedding.” He pulled a little blue velvet box from his pocket, placed it on the table and very gently pushed it toward her.
“And just whose wedding are you thinking about?” Maggie lowered her eyes and smiled as they picked up the little box. Her voice quivered with excitement.
“Ours! You silly goose," he said, a little louder than he intended. He glanced around quickly to see if anyone had noticed before continuing - a bit quieter this time. "I was thinking about Thanksgiving.”
He opened the box revealing a delicate diamond marquise-shaped solitaire.
“Oh, Josh, this is gorgeous.”
He took the ring out of the box and placed it on Maggie’s finger. The ring sparkled in the afternoon sun flashing tiny specks of light onto the surrounding walls.
"Can we afford it?" she whispered. Sometimes Josh could be very impulsive.
"That's not for you to worry about. I won't tell you the cost; just think of it as an investment."
Her heart leaped. Had she hurt his feelings? Why had she even mentioned it? She felt tears welling and blinked them away. "It's beautiful, and of course I'll marry you."
“Then Thanksgiving is good for you?"
"Next year, right?” she asked, distracted by the emotions she was feeling and by the ring on her finger.
“Well no, this year. That’s not a problem, is it?”
“But that’s just a few months away. Weddings take time to plan. You have no clue how hard putting a wedding together can be.
“It can’t be that tough.”
She was thrilled that he wanted to set a date, but November, really?
After lunch, they visited the wine shop. Josh chose a Blanc du Bois Classico to go with the stone crab claws he hoped his mom and dad would bring home. Maggie decided the sweeter, Florida Muscadine Blush to go with dessert. His parents always treated them to good wine, and they were confident they'd chosen well.