Fourteen
The pollination-themed harvest banquet would be magnificent, a tour de force, the first of its kind in Lanark County; but it was a bittersweet theme, in the wake of the beehive tragedy. Daphne was heartsick about the wrecked hives, and though she claimed she wanted to help clean up the bee yard, Melissa saw her fear and reluctance.
“I’m sorry. I’ll do anything else. I will single-handedly reap all the root vegetables.” Daphne pouted, oozing remorse, her still-swollen lower lip protruding.
“It’s okay. I’ll figure it out,” said Melissa.
If bee colonies were going to be recovered, it would have to be done soon. From the other side of the house Melissa heard the white pickup stutter and stall once, then twice, and the distinct growl of Joseph’s throaty curses. She found him with h
