"I just don’t know where to start!" Trixie groaned. "I’ve never been so frustrated in my life!"

"Just calm down," Jim said. "You’ll think of something. You always do." He gave her an admiring look and squeezed her shoulders.

"Maybe we should just keep looking for that boat," Dan said. "We never went out on the water to look for it. Maybe if we stay close to the shore lines, we’ll find it tied up somewhere."

"Sounds good to me," Trixie said with a shrug. "Let’s get started!"

The gang started off for the dock and made sure they had gas--real gas this time. They loaded into the pontoon and took off. Jim steered the boat out into the lake. "Where to?" he asked.

Mart had brought his binoculars with him and used them to scan the shoreline. "I see a set of docks over in that direction," he gestured with his arm. "It wouldn’t hurt to check them out."

Jim pointed the boat in the direction of the docks. They were still quite a ways from them. "Everyone keep your eyes peeled on the shoreline," Trixie said. "I don’t think it will hurt to look at the docks, but after giving that description to the police and them not finding it, I somehow doubt that it is just sitting in someone’s public dock. I figure it is hidden somewhere along the shore."

"This lake goes on for miles. How could we possibly know where to begin looking for it?" Di asked. No one answered her. They just kept their eyes on the shoreline.

They came upon the dock that Mart had pointed out and realized that they were actually at the docks behind Lake Hills Resort. "That’s interesting," Mart said. "I didn’t realize how close the two resorts were to one another. It seems a lot farther on the road."

"Wow." Trixie said, taking in the view of the new resort. "I can see how this place is hurting the Adams’ business." The new place had a lot of different sized log cabins and a large main lodge. There was a small playground for the children and a large swimming pool off to one side. There were also tennis and basketball courts and many picnic tables throughout the grounds. "The Adams’ would have to make a lot of improvements before they could get their place up to these standards. I mean I love their resort, it’s homey and very nice, but this would be hard to compete with."

 

"Yeah. I don’t know if dad realized what he would be up against if he bought the place or not," Jim said. "Maybe he’ll buy it anyway and just use it as a summer or weekend getaway place. It’s not like he would need to make a ton of money off of it. It wouldn’t be his only source of income like it is for the Adams’."

"That’s true," Mart said. "Can you get the boat a little closer? I think I see something."

"What? What is it?" Trixie asked. She grabbed Marts arm and tried to take his binoculars away from him. "I see it too!" she exclaimed. "It’s the boat we’re looking for! Someone is in it and they are headed this way!"

Mart lowered the binoculars slowly. "Umm…Trix. I think you should take a look at who is in the boat." He shook his head sorrowfully.

"It’s Michael and Colleen," Trixie said.

"Have they spotted us?" Jim asked. "They ran us down once. I doubt they would care to do it again."

"I don’t think they’ve noticed us yet. What should we do?"

Jim maneuvered the boat farther out into the lake. "Should we radio for help?" Dan asked.

"No," Trixie said. "They’ll be long gone before we can get a police boat out here. We’re going to have to catch them ourselves."

"Don’t be ridiculous, Trixie. They are in a speedboat and we’re not. Plus, how do you propose we catch them? It’s not like we can just ram our boat into theirs," Mart said.

"Uh-oh, guys. I think they’ve recognized us. They’re after us!" Dan said.

"Hurry, Jim. They’ll hit us. I wonder if they would follow us back to our dock. We could radio for the police to be waiting there," Mart said.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Jim said. "Trix, get on that radio. Guys help me keep watch."

"I’m scared," Diana screeched, grabbing Mart’s arm. "What do I need to do?"

"Just stay calm and get down so you don’t fall," Mart answered. "We’ll be fine. It looks like they are going to follow us all the way back."

"I have to slow down up here near the docks," Jim said. "It’s a ‘no-wake’ zone." He let off the boat’s gas and the boat jolted. "I think they are going to just ignore the ‘no-wake’ rule."

He pushed on the throttle and made a sweeping turn back into the main part of the lake. "Where are the police?" he shouted.

"They haven’t had time to make it yet," Trixie said. "Just keep going in circles until they show up. They’ll keep following us."

"Yeah, but they may also catch us. They aren’t that far away."

"I can see that," Trixie said. Michael was steering the green boat trying to come up alongside the Bob-Whites. He turned the boat sharply and tried to ram them, but Jim was too quick. He dodged the hit just in time.

After what seemed like an eternity of close calls and near disasters, a police boat finally came rushing toward them with its sirens blaring. Colleen and Michael took off even faster and the police boat followed.

"Go after them, Jim!" Trixie shouted. "I have plenty to say to them once they are caught!"

"You and me both!" Jim exclaimed. "I think we all do."

Everyone nodded in agreement and Jim set off across the water, trailing the police boat.

It wasn’t a long chase, however. The green boat started sputtering and coughing. Michael slammed his fist down and yelled something that the Bob-Whites couldn’t hear. He was obviously very mad. The police boat pulled up alongside the green boat and two officers stepped over into the green boat. They cuffed both Michael and Colleen and drug them into the other boat.

By this time the Bob-Whites had pulled up beside the other two boats. "We’ll get you for this, you little creeps!" Michael yelled. "We didn’t do anything wrong. What did you call the police for?"

"If you didn’t do anything wrong then why did you run from the police?" Trixie asked. "And who are you working with to try to harm Honey?"

"We don’t have to answer to you," Michael said. "We didn’t do anything to try to hurt your friend."

"Give it up, Michael!" Colleen shouted, fear and sadness in her voice. "It’s no use. We’re finished." She turned to the Bob-Whites. "I’m sorry. They made me do it. I never meant to really hurt her. It wasn’t us who ran her down that first day, it was our older brother. Michael and I are not married. He’s my brother. Our dad owns Lake Hills and he heard that Mr. Wheeler was thinking about buying it. Mr. Wheeler’s companies have always been steep competition for my father, and he didn’t want to lose to him again. He told us we were to make sure we did everything we could to make sure Honey thought this place was cursed or something so that her father wouldn’t buy it. I feel horrible. We had no idea she was going to get so sick on the boat and that you would be in so much trouble when you ran out of gas."

"Shut up, Colleen! You have nothing to be sorry about and now you’ve ruined everything for dad. Way to open your big mouth and spill everything."

"Dad deserves it!" Colleen shouted. "He is always doing things dishonestly and has no respect for us or anyone."

"That’s enough," one of the policemen said. He turned to the Bob-Whites, "You did the right thing to call us when you did. We had been looking for the boat but they were keeping it well hidden. They may have gotten away if they hadn’t brought it back out onto the water and been spotted by you kids. Way to keep your eyes open."

"Thanks, officer," Jim said. "We didn’t really do much, except call you. We’re just glad they are caught. Thanks for your help."

"Tell your friend that we hope she gets well soon," he tipped his hat and they were off, pulling the green boat behind them.

 

"Hi, Honey!" Trixie exclaimed as they walked into Honey’s hospital room. Brian was sitting in the chair by her bed and Miss Trask was asleep on the cot on the far side of the room. She was startled awake as Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites entered the room, too excited to be quiet.

"The mystery is solved!" Trixie said, taking Honey by the hand. "But we’re not too happy about who it turned out to be."

"Yeah," Di said. "I was very disappointed."

"It was Michael and Colleen, wasn’t it?" Honey said sadly.

Jim nodded his head and took Honey’s other hand. They weren’t the ones who ran you down when you were skiing, but they did everything else. They are actually brother and sister, not husband and wife. Their older brother was driving the boat that hit your ski rope. Their father owns Lake Hills Resort and apparently Dad has provided plenty of competition for their father’s other businesses and he didn’t want his competition here too."

"How horrible," Miss Trask said. "That’s an awfully greedy reason for them to do such horrible things to a poor innocent little girl."

"Well, I think Dad’s competition is the last thing on Michael’s and Colleen’s father’s mind right now. He should be locked up for quite some time. I want to encourage dad to buy the resort from the Adams’ and let them stay on to run the place. Does everyone think that is a good idea?"

"I think it’s wonderful!" Honey exclaimed. Everyone else agreed excitedly.

"I wonder why they never came after you, Jim," Mart said. "Did they not ever realize that Honey was your sister?"

"I don’t know," Jim said. "I guess that part is still a mystery."

"Well, I for one am glad it’s all over," Trixie said, plopping down on the arm of Brian’s chair.

"Did I hear you right?" Brian teased, poking her in the ribs. "Did I just hear my sister say she was glad an adventure was over?"

"Of course you did. Why does it surprise you that I’m glad my best friend is no longer in danger?"

"I was just teasing. I’m glad it’s over too and that everyone is safe," Brian said. "Honey, you should tell them your good news."

"The doctor was in this morning and he said that I am healing nicely. I get to leave the hospital Saturday and we can head back home as soon as I check out."

"That’s great," Diana said. "I know you must be ready to get home after everything that has happened. I’m sort of ready to get back myself."

"I think we all are," Mart said. "Despite everything that has happened, we still have had some fun, though."

"That’s right," Trixie said. "Honey’s party was great! Well, it was great until we took that boat ride anyway. We’ll have to listen to those new records when we get home and dance to them since we never got to last night."

"I want the rest of you to go back and enjoy the last couple days we have here," Honey said. "I already feel like I caused enough problems."

"You didn’t cause any problems," Trixie reassured her. "We’re all just very happy that you are ok."

"Brian, please go back to the resort with them and go for a ride on the boat and swim and ski and everything. You didn’t get to enjoy any of that stuff," Honey pleaded.

"No, I don’t care that I never got to do any of it. I’m fine with just staying here with you."

"Please? I want you to have at least a little fun since you came all this way. Don’t you at least want to go fishing?"

"Well, ok. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to leave you for a little while." He got up out of his chair and stood by her bed.

"Di and I can stay with her for a few hours," Trixie said. "I’ve had about as much of the water as I want."

"Yeah, me too," Di agreed. "Miss Trask, are you staying with us or going back?"

"I’ll stay too and let the boys have some fun on their own, as long as they promise to be careful without you girls there to keep them under control," she said with a wink.

"I consider you to be erroneous in your judgment there, Miss Trask. It is the girls that need to be looked after, not us."

Trixie, Honey, and Di just rolled their eyes and everyone else laughed. "You’re probably right, Mart," Miss Trask said with her eyes shining. "You are probably right."

 

Chapter 20

Two weeks later…

"Honey, are you ready? Brian’s here!" Miss Trask called up the stairs.

"She’ll be right down," Trixie called. "Are you ready? You look beautiful."

"Are you sure?" Honey asked. "I feel so nervous." She had chosen a soft yellow knee-length sundress and white sandals. Her honey-brown hair flipped out on the ends and was held back with a wide yellow headband. Diana had done her makeup and she was wearing more than she really felt comfortable with, but she didn’t want to hurt Di’s feelings.

"You’re radiant, Honey," Di said. "Brian is going to flip when he sees you."

"I’m so glad you girls came over to help me get ready. I still feel kind of weak."

"You’ll be fine," Trixie said. "You’ve got the best future-doctor in the world looking after you."

"I know," Honey said. "Well, I guess I’m ready." She gave both girls a hug, grabbed her purse and headed downstairs."

Brian was standing at the foot of the stairs talking with Mr. Wheeler when Honey appeared. He stopped the conversation in mid-sentence as Honey descended the stairs. "Hi," he managed to say, breathlessly. Mr. Wheeler just smiled and tried not to laugh out loud.

"Have her home by 11:00," Mr. Wheeler said to Brian as he kissed Honey on the forehead. "Have fun and be careful."

Brian took Honey by the hand and led her out the door. "You look great!"

"Thank you. You do too, but you didn’t have to get so dressed up."

Brian was wearing a black suit, a white dress shirt and a colorful tie. "I know but I wanted to wear my best for you." He opened the passenger side door of his jalopy and helped Honey get in. "I cleaned it up as best as I could. I would have brought dad’s car, but he and mom were going somewhere tonight."

"I’m glad you brought your car," Honey said. "It’s yours and I love it."

"That’s what I like about you," Brian said as he got into the car. "You don’t care about material things even though your family does have money. You are so down-to-earth and kind and sweet and, just all around wonderful."

Honey blushed deeply. "I’m glad we’re finally getting to go on our date," she said. "I’m sorry it was postponed for so long."

"Quit apologizing about that," Brian said. "It’s not like you could help it. You had surgery. Plus, we’ve spent a lot of time together over the last two weeks and I’ve really enjoyed it."

"Yeah, me too," Honey said.

Brian had come over to see her every day after he finished his chores and almost every night after dinner, claiming that he needed to check on her and make sure she was doing ok. He had been allowed to sit with her in her room as long as they left the door open and listen to music or read together. They had played Scrabble and Checkers and sometimes the other Bob-Whites joined them in Honey’s room to play games or have club meetings. Over the last few days Honey had gotten stronger and could get out of bed more, so they would watch television in the living room or sit out by the lake.

They had grown a lot closer over the last two weeks and Honey was glad, but she was concerned about one thing. "I’m sad that you are about to leave for school again."

"I know," Brian said, "but school isn’t too far from home. I think from now on I’ll have a good excuse to come in every weekend." He gave her a wink.

"You’ll really do that for me?" Honey asked. "You don’t have to."

"I want to. You’re worth an hour’s drive here and back, don’t you think?" He gave her hand a squeeze. "Plus, Trixie’s taking pre-cal this year. Who’s going to help her if I stay away too much?"

Honey giggled and relaxed a little. It was still hard to get used to all the attention she was getting from Brian. "So, where are we going?"

"I thought a nice meal at the Country Club would be nice, followed by a little dancing if you feel up to it."

"Sounds great!" Honey said. She loved dancing with Brian. She settled back against the seat of his car and sighed contentedly. ‘This is going to be a wonderful night,’ she thought.

"There’s just one thing not quite right about tonight, though," Brian said as he stopped the car in the Country Club parking lot.

"What’s that?" Honey asked nervously.

"You look beautiful, but you don’t look like yourself."

Honey groaned. "I know. Di did my make-up and she went overboard. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings."

Brian smiled. "That’s what I figured had happened. Here." He handed her his handkerchief and she wiped away some of the blush, eye shadow and lipstick.

"Much better," he said. "That’s what my Honey looks like."

"Thanks, Brian. I feel much better now. I’m glad you can be honest with me."

"Me too. Come on, let’s go inside." He got out of the car and rushed over to open Honey’s door and escorted her into the Country Club.

 

At 10:30 Brian and Honey walked hand in hand up the front walk to the veranda at Manor House. "I hope we didn’t dance too much tonight," Brian said. "I don’t want you to start feeling badly again."

"I feel great," Honey said. "Really, I do. Better than I have in weeks." She felt like she was walking on air. She and Brian had enjoyed their night out immensely. Dinner was great and so was the dancing. They didn’t dance long so that Honey wouldn’t get too tired, but they had a wonderful time anyway.

"I wish you didn’t have to go," Honey said. "We still have half-an-hour."

"Well, I don’t guess I’m in any hurry," Brian said. They sat down on the swing and looked at the stars. Brian put his arm around Honey’s shoulders and pulled her closer. He nuzzled her neck with his nose. "You always smell so wonderful."

Honey giggled and blushed. "Thank you. It’s that perfume that you got me last Christmas."

"Oh, really? Well, then, I guess I did a pretty good job picking out that gift."

Honey snuggled closer to him. "Thanks for a wonderful summer, Brian," she said. "I’ll never forget it."

"Me neither. And I hope we’ll have many more summers as good as or better than this one." He placed a finger under Honey’s chin and turned her face up to his. "There’s something I’ve been needing to tell you."

"What is it, Brian?" Honey asked.

"I love you, Honey Wheeler," he said softly. "I’ve loved you for a long time and I don’t know why it has taken me this long to tell you."

Tears brimmed Honey’s eyes. "I love you too, Brian."

Brian hugged her tightly then lowered his head to hers, kissing her gently at first. Then he deepened the kiss and held her tight until it was time for her to go inside.

"Well, I guess this is it," Honey said as she stood up to go in. "Thanks for a wonderful night."

"It was my pleasure. Good night, sweetheart, and sweet dreams."

Honey smiled "Sweet dreams to you too. Good night." After one more small kiss, she went inside and shut the door behind her.

‘I can’t wait until tomorrow when I can call Trix…hmm…I’ve always told her everything, but can I tell her about kissing her brother?’ she thought. ‘That’s kind of weird. Oh, well. I’ll figure it out tomorrow.’ She floated up the stairs to her room and drifted off into a peaceful sleep with very sweet dreams.

The End

As I stated at the beginning of this story, Trixie and the rest of the Bob-Whites are property of Random House and I am making no money off of them. This is purely for the enjoyment of me and my loyal readers.J This was my first attempt at fan fiction and I hope you all enjoyed it. I started having trouble with the mystery aspect of the story, so I’m sorry that it just kind of ends without the Bob-Whites actually doing too much investigating or uncovering clues. They just got lucky this time and the bad fell right into their hands—it could happen!J Thanks for reading!

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