Disclaimer: Of course none of these characters (with the exception of Annie, Joseph, Dave, the Parker Family and the librarian) are mine. They're property of Golden Books.

I'm not from the States and am not totally familiar with the schooling system... So if you find anything strange, just tell me. I'll appreciate it. Enjoy.

The sun had just shed his first rays of light on the Hudson Valley and over the small town of Sleepyside, when Jim opened his eyes. The faint light that came through his bedroom window told him that it was still very early. A look at the clock on his bedside table confirmed it: 5:30.

He groaned and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. Laying there, facing the white ceiling above him, he waited for sleep to return, but it didn’t. Coming to terms with the fact, the 24-year-old red head sighed and got up. He walked over to the window and opened it, breathing in the fresh morning air. Despite the cool breeze, Jim knew that soon enough that sun would grow warmer and this would be another typical July day.

Wearing nothing but his boxer shorts and a T-shirt, Jim walked out to the balcony that surrounded nearly half of the big, elegant mansion where he had lived for the past 9 years and leant over the railing. He gazed on the well-groomed, green lawn that spread all the way down hill, almost to the edge of Glenn Road. Beyond it, he had a partial view of Crabapple Farm. Trixie’s house. Jim smiled, as he remembered everything she had done for him nine years before. If it hadn’t been for her, maybe he would never have escaped the torture of living with his stepfather. Thanks to her, he had a wonderful family, a home and a future. And no matter how much time went by or how many times he had taken his turn in helping her out of her messes, he still felt grateful... And he knew he always would.

Jim let his mind wonder off and tried to imagined if she was still asleep. Probably... Being the beginning of summer vacation and all. But soon the beautiful white house at the foot of the hill would spring to life and Trixie along with it. Jim walked back inside and threw himself on the bed, his thoughts lost in time.

Things had always been weird between them. There was a permanent feeling of things left unsaid and undone. When he’d first met her, he’d been fascinated with her tenacity and strength... the fire that burnt deep inside her. Then he had grown to respect her, deeply, more than he had ever respected anyone. And one fine day he had discovered that the pain he felt in his heart whenever she was in danger could mean only one thing: the freckled faced, feisty blonde girl had got under his skin in an irreversible way... He was in love.

It had taken him a long, long time to admit that this was more than just a high school crush, a fantasy born out of his gratitude for everything she had done for him. Even after he had given her the ID bracelet and told her she was his special girl, he had never had the courage to take it further... Maybe out of fear of being turned down, of getting hurt... Or maybe because he already knew how deep those feelings were and didn’t want to make her commit to something so strong while they were still so young.

No, it didn’t make much sense to him either. But those were the excuses he found to drag himself through nine years of being just friends with the only girl he had ever loved. After he had gone off to college, along with Brian, her older brother and his best friend, Jim had felt like they had deserted her and the other members of their club, the Bob-Whites of the Glenn. The seven members were then down to five and they all knew things had changed forever. The summer vacations and other small breaks they had would never make up for the time that they hadn’t been there. And though he knew it to be inevitable, he also was aware of how much Trixie had suffered with the separation.

But so had they. Brian and him had been miserable during the first few months in NYU, away from their friends and loved ones. Jim remembered the long conversations they had back then. It had been the very first time they had openly talked about their feelings about Trixie and Honey. Jim had been adopted by Honey’s family nine years before, after he had inherited his great-uncle’s fortune. And the quiet, serene and lovely Honey Wheeler had instantly charmed Brian.

But things eventually fell into place. Classes were a full time occupation and their friends back home got used to not having them around. And the result was the remaining BWG’s becoming closer than ever before. Especially Trixie and Dan Mangan. Thinking about that made Jim grind his teeth. He had been jealous of Trixie with other guys... Ned Schultz, for one. But the nephew of the Wheeler’s groom had been his major concern while he was in college.

Truth was that at first he hadn’t even thought about it... Until Trixie’s letters started to talk more and more about Dan. Brian had told him that it was natural, that since both of them were away Dan was likely to become the ‘protector’ of the other four. Trixie, of course, would always be getting in incredible scrapes, dragging Honey along in the process. Diana Lynch, the other girl in the group, wasn’t much of a concern, being so quiet and naturally hesitant when it came to Trixie’s adventures. And Mart Belden, Trixie’s almost twin brother, was a bit of a hothead himself. So Dan was the natural choice.

But Jim still didn’t feel very comfortable about it. And it was about that time that he understood how wrong he had been in waiting so long... Even if he hadn’t started a relationship, because he wanted Trixie to grow up and find out by herself what she truly wanted from life, he should have said something about his feelings. He had taken her for granted. And only then did he understand the true depth of his feelings...

Then, without him even noticing, time had gone by. A year later, Dan and Mart had gone to college themselves... Mart had gone to the Agronomy School and Dan had decided to become a lawyer, instead of a cop, as he had always planed. He wanted to work in the DA’s office, one day. The following year it was Trixie, Honey and Diana’s turn: Trixie and Honey to major in Psychology (which they believed to be very helpful in their future careers as private investigators) and Diana to major in Art History.

The girls were now back and through with college, as were Mart and himself. Dan and Brian still had a few years ahead of them, so they would the only BWGs to be living Sleepyside after the summer. Dan was going to Law School and Brian still had a couple of years to go in Medical School.

So, they now had a whole summer ahead of them... A summer in which they would have nothing else to think about but their futures. Jim was certain that those 3 months would bring about a whole lot of changes. In about a week, Honey and Brian would be officially engaged in a huge party Madeleine Wheeler had decided to throw in honor of her only daughter. And he was going to start building his school for orphans... A dream he had had for years and on which he had been working since he finished college, two years before.

But something else was going to happen... Something he dreaded... Maybe that was the reason why he had wakened up so early. In fact he could barely wait to find out how things had turned out.

As if on cue, he heard a knock on his door. "C’me in." he said as he sat up on the bed. He smiled as his adopted sister, still in her pajamas, walked to the bed and sat down with a sigh.

"I didn’t wake you, did I?" Honey asked, yawning. "I heard when you opened the door to the balcony... I didn’t get much sleep last night."

"I thought about waiting up for you, but you came in pretty late and I was tired... Was it that bad?"

Honey shook her head.

"No... But it was a long conversation... And then I spent a long time talking to Brian too. He was very anxious to know how things had turned out."

"I can relate to that..." Jim said, trying to make the subject less dim. "But how did Trixie take it?"

"Surprisingly well... She even said it didn’t come as a surprise. But I’m still worried..." Honey shrugged her shoulders, in desperation. "You know how she would rather die than hurt one of us...But I know she was hurt by my decision."

Jim pulled his sister into his arms and gave her a big hug.

"It was the right thing to do, Honey, believe me. And even if Trixie is hurt now, she will soon understand it will all be for the best. You couldn’t loose this opportunity, not if it was what you really wanted..."

With her head still resting on Jim’s chest Honey let a tear roll down her face.

"But it was her dream... For years we planned to open that agency together!"

"Yes, Honey. I know. But like you said: it was HER dream. Was it ever really yours?"

Honey looked into her brother’s eyes. And she knew she didn’t have to answer.

Jim caressed her cheek, tenderly, trying to reassure her.

"Trixie must understand it. And somehow I know she does". But deep inside his heart he wasn’t so sure.

**************************************

Trixie did understand. She understood it very well. But it still hurt, anyway.

The blonde girl emerged out of the Wheeler’s lake, shaking the water off her curly hair. She hadn’t slept much that night and the sun had hardly been up for half an hour when she had decided to take a swim and cool off her head.

Lying on the sandy margin of the lake, Trixie closed her eyes, thinking about the talk Honey and herself had had, the previous night. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen it coming... For years she had wondered if Honey was really cut out to be a detective, but so much time had gone by that Trixie had finally reassured herself about that topic. If Honey hadn’t backed out that far, she probably never would. And after they had gone off to college she had believed everything was settled.

So, the previous night, Trixie had felt the rug pulled out from under her. After all, they had majored in Psychology because of the agency... If Honey wasn’t sure, why had she gone along with it? And what hurt her most was that Honey hadn’t even told her she was entering that designing contest... Last night had been the first time she had heard about it. Honey had told her she hadn’t even come close to win it, but the designing school that had sponsored it had been very impressed by her amateur work... So impressed that they had offered her a scholarship.

Of course Trixie was glad for her friend... In fact she was very happy for her. And that only made it worse, because she couldn’t be angry at Honey. Her heart and head were now in a turmoil of mixed emotions.

Sitting up, the 22-year-old girl sighed and wondered what was happening. Why hadn’t she noticed that something was wrong with Honey? Or hadn’t she? After all, she was supposed to be her best friend. And despite what had just happened, Trixie knew she would always be.

"Why are things always so difficult, when it comes to me?" Trixie asked, not noticing she was speaking out loud.

"That’s part of your charm, dear little sister!" said a voice behind her. Trixie turned to see her almost-twin brother Mart, walking towards her.

"And just what are you doing here at this hour, dear almost twin?" she asked, teasingly. She knew he hated to be reminded that he was only 11 months older than she was.

"I could ask you the same question..." he answered, sitting down beside her. "But I believe I know the answer already."

"Yeah... you were always the smart one, weren’t you?", Trixie said, gazing at the quiet, mirror-like surface of the lake.

"Trix...", Mart’s voice lost its usual ironic tone and became serious, as he held his sister’s hand in his. The blond, blue-eyed young man was very fond of his little sister, despite his usual teasing and right now he was very concerned. "Brian told me what happened... I know this has got to be hard on you... I just wanted you to know that... Well, I’m here for you."

She smiled and placed a kiss on Mart cheek, making him stare at her, surprised at the sudden tenderness.

"Thanks, Mart." she said. "I do need to talk to someone... I’m really confused."

"This came as a shock to you, didn’t it?"

She shook her head.

"No, not really... That’s what’s troubling me the most. For a long time I wondered if she was right for detective work... But I never really talked to her about it. I thought she would eventually overcome those fears and we could complement each other. And I expected her to talk to me if she had any doubts... But she never did... Until last night, that is..."

"So now you were caught of guard...", Mart completed her sentence, as she nodded. "And now you’re angry?"

"No, Mart... How could I be angry with her for trying to accomplish her dream? I’m... hurt, because she never told me she had this dream. And I also feel... Feel like I’ve been very selfish, for never really having talked to her about it... Trying to find out if what I was sensing was true..."

"Don’t feel selfish, Trix.... Maybe she didn’t know this was her dream... You know, many people go through life without ever finding their place... We are lucky, because we know what we want to do with our lives."

To his surprise, Trixie hid her face in her hands and mumbled something that he couldn’t understand.

"What was that?" he asked.

"I said I don’t... I don’t know what to do with my life! Not after this..."

Mart had only experienced the feeling of being left without words a few times in his life. This was one of them. Trix had always been so sure of what she wanted, even when everyone else opposed her, so this was shocking.

"Sweetie," Mart gulped, feeling the words caught in his throat and sensing that this was a very troubling time for Trixie, "What are you saying? You’re giving up the agency?"

"I don’t know... I’m confused... Honey’s decision was just the last drop..."

Gently, Mart tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him.

"Talk to me, Trix... Please."

"Oh, Mart... Have you ever had the feeling that you fought for something all your life and then when you finally get it, it’s just not like what you thought it would be?" Trixie rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe away the irritating tears.

"We all have..."

"But you didn’t build a whole life around it..." Trixie shook her head. "I feel like a jerk, you know?"

"But why, Trixie? Why are you saying that?"

"Because I don’t know if I want to be a detective anymore!" Trixie yelled, unnerved, as she got back up on her feet. Irritated, she kicked a pebble and hurt her toe.

"Ouch!" Trixie finally let the tears roll down her face. Mart’s first impulse was to get up and hug her, but he knew she had to let out steam. And the truth was that he needed time to compose himself from the shock of what he had just heard. Hearing his sister say those words had felt like a kick to the stomach, although one day he would have loved to hear it. But not now, not after being certain of Trixie’s convictions for such a long time.

"I hated being away from Sleepyside, Mart..." she said, trying to wipe away the tears. "I really did. Away from you guys and all of this." Trixie gestured to indicate the surrounding woods. "If I became a detective I would have to go to a big city... Maybe bigger than White Plains! And there’s more...When I was in college, I wrote an essay about private investigators and the way they work... I met a few and what I found out scared the hell out of me! They hardly ever get a chance of working on anything other than adultery cases! The other things are usually left for the police to handle. It’s not like the mystery novels and TV, you know?"

Mart only nodded.

"And I kept thinking that it was silly, that it was natural to be scared and that I could make things work better for me... But the more I saw the more I feared. And what kept me going and believing was Honey. She was there with me... That would make the difference. I never mentioned any of this to her... And now..." Trixie’s voice broke and she stood staring at the lake, quiet, her arms wrapped around her body.

Knowing that this was the time to show Trixie how much he cared, Mart finally got up and walked to her. Softly circling her shoulders with his arm, he whispered:

"But you still have her... You still have us. You always will."

"It’s not the same, Mart..." Trixie faced her brother, a serious look on her eyes. "When I started to get involved in mysteries and adventures, you were there with me, helping me... Even when you didn’t want to..." she added with a sad smile. "I thought about it all night... That was why it was so wonderful, so exciting. Because you were all there. When Jim and Brian went to college and then you and Dan... Well, it just wasn’t the same. I’m afraid it doesn’t mean the same anymore..."

"What do mean? Trix, you’ve helped so many people!" Mart made her look at him.

"Yes, that’s just it! I wanted to help people... It wasn’t just the hunt, as they say it. But taking pictures of adulterers is not my idea of helping others..."

"Well, it is really..." Mart started, not knowing what to say. But Trixie stopped him.

"Mart, don’t... You know perfectly well what I mean!"

He did. And so he just stood there, his arm wrapped around her, knowing that there were times when emotion was so overwhelming there just wasn’t space for words.

Bobby was bored. He had been so anxious for this particular summer to come and now... Things just weren’t has he had imagined they would be.

Two years before he had achieved what had been his major life goal so far: to become a BWG. He had gotten his own jacket and chair at the meeting table. He had been so proud. But soon enough he had noticed that something was different. Ever since he was 5 years old he’d thought the BWG’s were the coolest crowd to hang around with. They were always involved in real adventures and traveling everywhere! What else could someone want from life?

But things seemed to be too quiet... He hadn’t seen any real action since Brian and Jim had gone to college. He’d thought that maybe things would get better once he became part of the club. But they hadn’t... So Bobby had been looking forward to that particular summer, when all of the BWG’s would be together again. Somehow in previous summers one of them always seemed to be missing.

At the age of fifteen, Bobby looked exactly like Trixie would have looked at that age if she had been born a boy. He had been blessed with the big blue eyes, full of light, blond curly hair and freckles that were the Belden kids trademark. With the exception of Brian, of course, since Mart had finally let his hair grow a bit more, thanks to Di’s intervention. So, Bobby was the proof that apples don’t fall far from the tree... Physically and otherwise. Helen and Peter Belden were becoming everyday more concerned with adventurous heart of their youngest offspring. Trixie’s adolescence was still very fresh in their minds.

And now if they would be able to see him, they would be terrified. It all had started exactly nine years ago, during a certain summer when Trixie had been feeling very bored herself.

Bobby let out a big sigh and caressed Eden, the newest inhabitant of the Wheeler’s stable and his usual ride. After tying her reins to a nearby branch, the boy walked slowly to the ancient tree, where years before Regan had built his beloved tree house. He still came here once in a while, when he wanted to be alone, or whenever he had nothing else to do... as was the case.

As he readied himself to climb the wooden steps nailed to the tree, he noticed something strange. On almost every step there were pieces of mud, as if someone with muddy shoes had climbed all the way to the top.

Bobby frowned. Who could have been there? He certainly hadn’t and there were no other kids in the neighborhood... Di’s brothers and sisters, two sets of identical twins and his usual companions were out of town, so he didn’t know who the trespasser could be... Maybe it had been of the other Bob-Whites... But no, they would have mentioned it to him.

Bobby suddenly felt frightened. He remembered what had happened when two of the members of Dan’s old gang had hidden in the woods. What if the person was still in the tree-house? There were two things he could do: leave and ask the other Bob-Whites to come back with him or try to find out himself what was happening up there. He soon decided that the other Bob-Whites seemed to be too worried about other things to mind him and, on the other hand, if he left now, he would never know if there was someone up there or not.

Taking a deep breath, Bobby held on to the steps and slowly started climbing. His heart was throbbing like a pack of wild horses but he knew he had to do this. This was what Trixie would have done, wasn’t it? Gently, the boy lifted the trap door above his head and picked inside, feeling the hair on the back of his head stand. Only then did he let out the breath he didn’t know he had been holding. The small house was empty.

But as soon as Bobby entered he noticed that despite of it being empty right now, someone had definitely been there. Someone other than his friends. He knew this for a fact, since none of the Bob-Whites would leave piles of empty cans all over the place.

*    *    *     *

Jim walked down the slope towards Crabapple Farm. His heart skipped a beat when he saw a blonde woman walking out of the house and saying something to the tall figure of a man driving a lawnmower through the front lawn. Soon enough he felt relief wash over him, as he came closer and recognized Helen Belden. Trixie’s mother waved and smiled, and then went back inside.

"Hey, man! What’s up?" Brian said, leaning against the lawnmower. "You seemed relieved when you saw it was my mother standing there..." he added, as he winked his eye at his best friend.

Jim smiled. "Yeah... I guess Trixie looks too much like your mum... And I wasn’t feeling quite ready to see her, just as I arrived. I guess it will feel pretty weird."

"You bet it will. I’ve been dreading the moment I see her myself..."

"Meaning you haven’t seen her yet?"

Brian nodded. "Right... Mart told me he had seen her leave the house really early in the morning. He said he was going to try finding her and talk to her. They haven’t been back... Uh-oh. Guess I spoke to soon!"

Jim turned on his heels to see Trixie and Mart walking towards them. Trixie had a dismayed look upon her girlish features, but he still couldn’t help thinking she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

In nine years, Trixie had grown beautiful. The clumsy, tom-boyish Belden girl had become a lovely shapely young woman. And everything that had made Jim fall so desperately in love was still there: the light in her eyes, the flaming spirit and the sharp sixth sense that had led her into so much trouble... and into so much glory.

Oh, he loved her all right, and he would have done anything to be the one that was encircling her with his arm, comforting her in that difficult time. But Mart had beaten him to it. And maybe it was just for the better, since things were difficult enough for her right now. She needed time to sort everything out and he wasn’t going to be the one presenting her with one more problem. No, he was going to let their discussion lay for a while. But he wasn’t going to let it die away... Not again.

"Hi, Trix" he said tenderly.

"Hi, Jim... Guess you’ve heard, hum?" she asked, looking deep into his eyes.

He nodded.

"Honey told me about your talk... Are you mad at her?"

Trixie shook her head and smiled sadly.

"No, of course not... It’s just that things aren’t... Well, they aren’t so perfectly perfect anymore."

A deep silence fell over the four young people. Trixie stared at the ground, drawing circles in the dirt with the tip of her sandal. Brian thought it would be a nice idea to leave Jim and Trixie alone for a little while. He preferred not to be involved, since he was so close to both girls, and Mart’s tries obviously hadn’t done much to lighten up Trixie’s pitch dark mood.

"Hey, Mart, help me get this thing back to the garage, will you?" he said, trying to get his brother out of there.

"Since when do you need my assistance to perform such a simple task?" Mart asked, not getting the full picture.

"Now!" Brian exclaimed, not leaving room for discussion.

Mart finally seemed to understand his brother’s intentions and followed him to the garage.

"Always very subtle, aren’t they?" Trixie said, smiling.

Jim returned the smile but didn’t answer. "C’me on, let’s take a walk shall we?" he invited.

Trixie agreed with a nod and followed him into the orchard. The two of them walked for a little while in silence and then sat under a tree.

"No use beating around the bush, is there?" Jim said, facing her. "How are you feeling, Trix?"

The tenderness in Jim’s voice warmed Trixie’s heart, as it always had done through the years. She felt like resting her head on his shoulder and let it all out. But she couldn’t. Something inside her stopped her. A little jealousy maybe... Jim’s dream was coming true, slowly but steadily, while hers... She shook her head, making her blonde curls bounce. That kind of thinking wasn’t fair.

"Down in the dumps, really..." she whispered, after a while. Despite her fears, once more she couldn’t help but to be totally honest with him.

He lowered his eyes, feeling an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and tell her he was going to be there for her. But he knew it wasn’t the time. Suddenly, an idea sprung to his mind. Maybe he would crash and burn but he had to try.

"Trix, I know you probably don’t feel like it, but I guess it would be good for you. To get your mind of things and all... Would you like to go out with me tonight?"

She looked up at him, surprised at the sudden invitation. An invitation she had been waiting for a long, long time, although she wouldn’t admit it. And now she didn’t know what to say.

"Well, I... I don’t know... I don’t think I be good company..." she stuttered.

Jim smiled and his eyes shone as if they truly were emeralds. He couldn’t back away now... He wouldn’t back away! With his mind made up, he insisted.

"C’me on, please." he almost pleaded. "It would be nice for both of us... Besides," he added, averting her eyes for just one second "I guess I want to make up for not being here these last few years. Will you give me that chance?"

Trixie’s mind darted back to her prom night, four years back. Everything had been so perfect! She remembered being so happy for Brian and Honey, who had started going steady that same night. And something had also started between Trixie and Jim... Something that had never gone any further. One kiss, as they parted, at the gate of Crabapple Farm. One simple sweet kiss... Never repeated, never again mentioned by either of them. Sometimes Trixie wondered if it had been only a prank of her overly active imagination. But the burning on her lips every time she thought about it was no dream and neither was the way she remembered the smell of his cologne. And deep inside her soul she knew she had been partially guilty that it had never been mentioned again. She had avoided him the following days and he took it as lack of interest. And reacted accordingly.

But now... Did she want a chance of recapturing the past or was their chance long gone? Looking into his eyes she knew the answer. She wanted that chance. She wanted it desperately.

"Ok... I guess it will be nice." Trixie said with a smile.

Jim’s eyes lit up once more. The few moments between his question and her answer had been hell-like. Somehow he never expected her to say yes. But she had.

*    *    *     *

She wondered if it was the right thing to do before she picked up the phone. She would have to do it sometime... And why not now?

The phone rang a few times before it was picked up. She recognized her voice and gulped. But she had to do this.

"Hi, Honey." Trixie said.

"Trixie? Hi!" said Honey’s surprised voice. "I... I wasn’t expecting to hear from you this soon... I mean, I’m glad, but..."

Trixie giggled.

"Hey, Honey, I get it, don’t worry. Anyway we have to get through this. And like I said I’m not angry..."

"But you had every right to be..."

"No, Honey, of course I didn’t... I can’t help feeling a bit hurt but... We have let bygones be bygones."

She heard Honey’s sigh of relief.

"Oh, Trix... I was afraid you wouldn’t be my best friend anymore!"

"Don’t be silly, Honey! I will always be your best friend! Besides, that new-found talent of yours may prove to come in handy." Trixie said, trying not to sound too anxious.

*    *    *     *

Honey threw herself on Trixie’s bed, giggling and almost out of breath. Trixie stood in the middle of her room, her hands on her hips and her face a bright tone of crimson red. The room looked like it had been hit by a tornado. Trixie’s closet was open wide and more than half of its contents were scattered all over the room. The hand-made quilt on the bed was scarcely visible under a thick layer of jeans and T-Shirts.

"What’s so funny?" she asked, pretending to be mad.

Honey struggle to sit up and to stop laughing, as tears streamed down her face.

"I’m sorry, Trix... It’s not that it’s funny, really... But the thought of you worrying with what you were going to wear..."

"Yeah, yeah... Laugh all you want! But fact is I need help! I don’t know what to wear!", Trixie sat by her friend, a desperate look upon her face. "This is a special night, Honey... Well, it could be if only we would feel more comfortable around each other..."

"Of course it will be a special night. You guys only need time to get back to where you left off. To get to know each other all over again..." Honey looked into her friend's eyes. "But somehow I feel that there is something else, behind all this insecurity... Something that hasn’t got to do with Jim... At least not directly..."

Trixie sighed. "I can’t hide anything from you, can I? It’s just that I can’t help thinking whether he would invite me out or not if I wasn’t... Well, if I..." Trixie didn’t go on, not knowing how to put it.

"If you weren’t depressed because of my decision..." Honey completed. Trixie was about to open her mouth to deny it, but Honey stopped her. "It’s ok, Trix. I know how you must feel. You don’t have to hide it from me."

"I won’t, Honey. That would be betraying our friendship... We promised that we would always be completely honest with each other and that’s the way it’s gonna be. I am kind of depressed, but your decision is only a part of the problem. The biggest part of it is MY own decision."

Honey frowned. "What decision?"

"A decision I have to make..." said the blonde girl, sighing. "I don’t want to talk about it right now, Honey. It’s still too soon... I really need to think about it some more. But like I said, you shouldn’t worry." Trixie held her friends hands in her own, reassuringly and smiled. "No matter what that decision turns out to be your decision was only the drop that made the cup spill."

"Please don’t be so mysterious, Trixie!" Honey pleaded. "What’s this all about?"

"I’ll tell you when I decide... There’s no use in talking endlessly about it. It’s just that I don’t want to settle for second best."

"Second best?", Honey waited for more explanation but it didn’t come. And she didn’t fully understand what her friend meant. But now there wasn’t time to think about it. Trixie had gone back to the position in which Honey had found her when first entering the room: sitting in front of her closet staring at its contents... and moaning in desperation. Smiling, Honey understood it was time to get to work.

*    *    *     *

Jim stood by the Belden’s kitchen window, staring at nowhere. His heart was beating so loud and so fast he could hardly hear Brian and Mart teasing him.

"My, my..." Mart started, winking at his older brother. "Have you sensed the peculiar atmosphere that surrounds us? Can’t you just hear the pounding of our good friend’s heart? I dare say he yearns to behold the not-so-fair maiden, Beatrix."

Brian laughed and joined Jim by the window. "Well, I would say he just has a bad case of good old cold feet! Am I right?" he said, tapping his friend’s shoulder.

"Hum?" Jim mumbled, as if he had just awaken.

The two Belden boys burst into laughter. Jim hadn’t heard a word.

Jim’s mind had drifted back to a certain night, four years before. A night that could have been the happiest of his life, but instead had remained just another sweet-and-sour memory... like so many others.

After being in college for two years, Jim had come to the conclusion that Trixie was the only girl he would ever want. He had gone out with a couple of girls during that period, but it felt uncomfortable to always be comparing the girls to Trixie. It was a natural reaction for him, but he was also conscious that it was unfair for the girls. That and the jealousy he was beginning to feel about the growing closeness of Dan and Trixie’s relationship had led him to finally admit the depth of his feelings. And he would never forget the pride he had felt when Trixie had invited him to be her escort on her prom night. He’d felt on top of the world. And relieved that she hadn’t invited Dan!

That night... He had lost the best opportunity he had ever had to tell her how much he loved

her. But Trixie was like a bird that needed to try out its wings. And he didn’t want to be the one to tie her down. The kiss had come as a surprise even for him. And it had haunted all of his nights ever since.

A tap on his shoulder brought him back from his reverie. Startled he turned around to stand, half stunned, in front of Trixie.

She was a sight, a vision. Honey had picked out a simple black dress for her, that ended just above her knees and enhanced the soft curves of her slender body. The funny thing about Trixie was that she had never really learned to feel comfortable in what she called "fancy clothes" and that awkwardness made her look even lovelier.

"You look... beautiful." Jim said, in a hoarse voice, looking straight into her eyes. Trixie blushed and avoided his gaze, which of late was becoming too intense for her to endure.

Mart and Brian had remained by the door, watching the whole scene and taking in every little detail. The conclusion they reached must have been the same, because, as if on cue they both left the room in silence.

"Shall we go, Jim?"

He smiled and nodded.

"Yes, we’d better." Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he led her to the door. "And I hope you’re not hungry, because it will take a while to get there..."

"Where are you taking me, Mr. Frayne?", Trixie asked, looking up at her handsome escort.

He winked at her. "To Paradise, Miss Shamus... To Paradise!"

Bobby waited until his parents retired to their room to leave the house. He made sure his lantern had enough batteries to last him for 3 or 4 hours. He wasn’t going to make the same mistake he had made many years before, when he’d fallen down a hole and get caught in the rocks. The blond boy shivered as he remembered the hours of fear and loneliness until Trixie and Dan arrived.

Bobby made his way into the woods and on to his tree house. If someone was occupying the tree house, he or she probably spent the night there. Unless they had already left. But somehow he didn’t quite believe it. His hunch proved right. He could see a flickering light through the branches and he knew for certain it weren’t fireflies. Someone was up there, all right. And now what?

Bobby had seen his sister get into trouble a lot of times for pulling this kind of stunt... But the strongest lesson he taken from all that was that it usually worked out just fine. Taking a deep breath, Bobby walked over to the tree house and started climbing the steps as silently as he could. The occasional snapping sounds of the old wood seemed to him as loud as gunshots. Cold sweat was pouring down his back by the time he got to the trap door, which was wide open.

Slowly, expecting to be hit over the head at any moment, Bobby peeked through the hole on the wooden floor. And he let out his breath. Danger was off for the moment for whoever it was that had invaded his tree house was now fast asleep near the wall. Carefully, trying not to make a sound, Bobby eased himself on to the wooden platform and walked towards the sleeping figure. All he could see was that it was someone skinny, probably shorter than him (which wasn’t that hard since he was already as tall as Brian) and with brown hair. The light he had seen from the outside was coming from a small Camping Gas lamp, near the window. Thinking on what could have happened if the lamp had somehow turned over, Bobby felt a surge of rage and decisively walked on to the invader. A sudden flash of good sense made him grab his old baseball bat from the shelve before saying: "What are you doing here? This is private property!"

Startled, the person turned over and crawled backwards towards the wall, in defensive strategy. Bobby stood there for a second in amazement as he looked at the face of his opponent. "A girl?", he thought. Skinny, dirty and in rags, unkempt hair falling over her face, but definitely a girl. Instinctively, Bobby lowered the bat and relaxed his tensed muscles. And immediately understood his mistake.

Sensing that Bobby had lowered his guard, the girl threw herself at him as a wild cat. He was standing between her and the only way out of the tree house. Bobby felt that her strength was born out of pure despair as he wrestled her. Bobby had grown pretty strong, despite his slender build, but nevertheless he was having a hard time defending himself from her wild attacks. She was pushing him so hard that they both fell over. Finally, he managed to get in control, when her resistance apparently started to wear down. Rolling over, Bobby managed to pin her down under him, and held her wrists way above her head, so she wouldn’t claw him again.

"Let me go!" she yelled.

"I will do no such thing, until you tell me what you’re doing up here! This is private property you know?" Bobby said, still having a hard time in keeping her under control.

"I thought as much…" the girl seemed to be too tired to go on fighting or simply thought it was no use. "But I didn’t have anywhere else to go… This is your tree-house?"

"Yes." Hoping he was doing the right thing, Bobby let go of her hands and helped her up. She was quite shorter than himself, the top of her head reaching only his shoulder. At first glance, one would say she was about 12, being so skinny, but Bobby reckoned she must be a little older. The girl had brown eyes, lively and shiny, which would be pretty if she didn’t look so scared.

Still trembling, the girl reached up and took her unkempt hair away from her dirty face. Then she seemed to hesitate on what to do, but finally reached out her hand and introduced herself: "My name is Annie… Annie Dugan."

"I’m Bobby Belden." the boy said with a smile, shaking her hand.

*    *    *     *

"Do you think they’re ok?" Honey asked as she laid her head on Brian’s shoulder. He caressed his fiancée’s hand and smiled tenderly.

"Don’t worry, baby. They’re grownups. They know how to take care of themselves."

"Do they? Sometimes I doubt it. After nine years, they haven’t… Oh, you know what I mean!"

"Maybe they are not ready yet!" Brian sit up straight and looked into Honey’s eyes. "Be patient, Honey. Jim and Trixie are very special people…They need to be certain first. Let them sort their lives out… We’re here to help them should they need us."

"I’m just afraid they lose their chance at happiness, just because they spent too much time dreaming of something else…" Honey sighed. "Well, I guess I’m just anxious. I love them both so much."

"I do too, Honey. But right now I think they need time… alone." Tenderly, Brian caressed her face and thought about how much he loved this sweet and caring girl and how much he wanted to spend the rest of his days making her happy. Honey smiled, as if she had read his mind and leant towards him. He met her halfway.

*    *    *     *

Trixie closed her eyes in the obscurity of the car, rocked by the gentle swaying, as Jim drove through the moonlit road, right beside the Hudson. Smiling, she remembered the wonderful time Jim had shown her that night. He had been nothing short of a perfect gentleman... And the most seductive gentleman she had ever met. Jim had taken her to a restaurant up-river, called Paradise-On-the-Hudson... And the name said it all.

The 19^th century building had been transformed into a hotel and restaurant with live music. The decoration was lovely, respecting the standards its original owners had set for it. Through the wide windows all one could see was starlit sky and a mirror like river, reflecting the stars. The soft jazz music lent a feeling of the 40’s glamour to the place and despite usually feeling uncomfortable in such places, Trixie felt immediately at home. Maybe it was the kindness of the waiters. Or Jim’s company. "This is beautiful, Jim." she almost whispered.

Caressing the hand she had wrapped around his arm, he smiled. "Yes, I thought you’d like it."

Jim had managed to put the agency subject aside and talked around it all night. Trixie felt grateful for it. She could talk to Mart, she could talk to Honey... But Jim... That would be harder. They talked and laughed and danced, recovering a closeness and intimacy they had somehow lost along the way. And sitting in the dimness of the car, they both felt there was still a chance... Maybe their last.

*     *     *      *

"Hey, where are you taking me?" Annie said, as Bobby dragged her through the woods. Apparently she wasn’t used to the woods, because she was having trouble in keeping up with Bobby’s long strides and kept tripping in roots and bushes.

"Don’t worry. You will be safe there."

Soon they reached what Bobby later told her to be the BWG’s club house. Since the group had been too busy lately to have meetings, this was a safe place to keep Annie, until he could figure out on what to do with her. When they reached the door, Bobby took the key out of the pocket of his jacket and tried to find the key hole. But unfortunately it wasn’t easy to do it, with no light at all. One of the things he had learned from his big sister was that when you’re doing something that you don’t want others to know, you should turn off your lantern. But it was easier said than done, so, praying that no one was on Glen Road right that moment, he turned it on...

*     *     *      *

Trixie yawned and rubbed her eyes. The dimness and coziness of the car was making her sleepy. It had been a long day.

"Am I that boring?" Jim said, smiling.

Trixie giggled. "Of course not... I’m just tired." suddenly she sat up straight in her seat and rubbed her eyes. No, there it was. It wasn’t her eyes playing tricks. "Jim, stop the car! Look, there in the woods, near the club house!"

Jim hit the breaks and stopped the car on the side of the road, turning the headlights off. He could see it too. The small focus of light... Feeling shivers down his back, he remembered a night that also had been very special for him and Trixie... A night when they also seen a light near the clubhouse, which could have gone up in flames had they arrived seconds later.

Before he could say a word, Trixie jumped from the car and ran into the woods. Jim followed her and almost bumped into her in the dark. Trixie had stopped suddenly when she saw the two figures standing by the door. By the flickering light of the lantern, she recognized her little brother, Bobby. "Robert Belden! What on Earth are you doing here at this time of night?" she almost screamed.

Startled, Bobby almost dropped the lantern. "Trixie... Jim! I... well, I..." suddenly he remembered Annie and grabbed her by the arm, before she could escape. The girl had been so frightened by the sudden arrival of the two strangers that she had hesitated before running off. Now it was too late.

"And who’s that with you?" Trixie asked.

"This is... Annie."

Trixie couldn’t see the expression on Jim’s face, but she could guess the grin in his voice. "And what are you and Annie doing here in the middle of the night, young man?"

Bobby felt his face flushed and thanked God for the darkness. "It’s not what you think...It’s a long story. What about going inside and letting you into it?"

"Bobby, no! I trusted you! I told you I didn’t want anyone to know!" Annie screamed, trying to escape his hold.

"They can help you, Annie! Trust me!" Bobby said as he tried to keep her quiet.

"I can’t trust anyone, Bobby!" she screamed on the verge of tears.

Slowly, gently, Jim walked over to her and surrounded her thin shoulders with his arm. "Calm down, Annie... That is your name, right? Look, you can trust us... Right now, I don’t think you have any other option..." Jim’s steady and warm voice seemed to have a calming effect over the girl. Trixie smiled in the dark. Besides being irresistible to women, Jim was also great with kids.

The group entered the clubhouse and closed the curtains, so no one would see the light from the outside. Bobby was the first to speak. "This morning I went over to my tree house... There were muddy footprints on the steps and empty cans all over the place. I knew that none of you guys would go there without telling me..."

"Yeah, we all know better!" Trixie remarked with a smile. Bobby didn’t pay attention to her teasing his bad temper. Everyone knew how much he hated to have his prized possessions tampered with... But he never admitted to still have occasional temper tantrums whenever one of his brothers messed with his things. "Anyway, I decided I should find out who was staying there... So I went over there tonight!"

"Bobby Belden, do you mean to tell me that you went there alone, without telling anyone where you were headed?" Trixie scolded.

"Yeah, like you never done that..." Booby said.

Jim couldn’t hide his smile as Trixie’s cheeks turned crimson. Trying to help her out of her embarrassment, he said: "And then you found Annie, right?"

Three pairs of eyes then focused on the thin, pale young girl, trying to pass unnoticed. "Yes, then he found me..." she whispered.

"Where do you come from, Annie?" Trixie asked with shiny eyes. Jim smiled recognizing what he usually described as the "Schoolgirl Shamus look".

Annie hesitated, and glanced over at Bobby. He smiled and encouraged her with a nod of his head.

"From the City..." she answered, avoiding Trixie’s stare.

"You mean, White Plains?"

Jim covered Trixie’s hand with his, as a signal to let him lead the conversation. He understood that there was something about Annie that was more serious than it seemed. "No, Trixie." he said, calmly. "Somehow I don’t think she’s referring to White Plains."

"New York City..." Annie clarified.

Trixie’s eyes widened. "New York? You came all the way from New York? Why?"

Annie took a deep breath. She finally understood that she was going to have to tell the story all over again. As if once hadn’t been painful enough. But somehow she was beginning to trust them. Especially the one Bobby had introduced as Jim... He was ok. He sometimes reminded her of... Of someone long gone.

"Take it slowly, Annie... You have all the time you want." Jim said, with a reassuring smile.

She smiled shyly back at him and took another deep breath. "Well, my name is Annabelle Dugan... But I hate the ‘belle’ stuff, so just call me Annie."

"This kinda reminds me of someone." Jim teased, winking at Trixie. She made a face at him as Annie went on.

"I’m 14 years old and I live in New York... Or at least I did... Anyway, about 4 years ago my parents were killed in a car accident..."

The pain in the girl’s voice sent shivers down Trixie’s back. She would have died, if something had happened to her parents. Glancing at Jim, she noticed his eyes were shinier than usual, probably because of tears he was holding back. Trixie knew very well how emotional he got when it came to orphans. "Who took care of you?" Jim asked, his voice hoarse and deep.

An ironic grin appeared in Annie’s face, making her look much older than she really was. "I had no one else... My mother was an orphan and my father’s family is back in Ireland... I don’t have a clue of how to find them... They weren’t that close. After the accident I heard the neighbors say they should call the Social Services to take care of me. I panicked because my mother had told me all about orphanages... So I ran off!" Annie stood quiet for a little while, as if to gather courage to go on. None of the others broke the silence, unknowing of what to say. "I lived alone since then... Where I could... And yes, if you’re wondering, I did steal!", she said, a defiant look upon her young features. "I had to eat! But I never hurt anyone..."

"No one is here to judge you, Annie. My story is not that different from yours, you know? I was a runaway for a while too." Jim said. Trixie looked at him, admiring him for knowing what to say in that moment. And she saw the difference his words made for the little girl in front of them. Annie stopped being defensive and even smiled.

"Then I met someone... A boy, a bit older than me... He lived on the streets too and he worked here and there... Jason also played the guitar and we used to go to Central Park and he played while I sang... When my parents were alive I sang in the church choir." Annie blushed as she said this. "Well, we kinda took care of each other... Until he got some new friends." Tears started to track down her face.

"What happened then?" Trixie asked softly, trying to keep her curiosity under control.

Bobby had kept quiet until then, but seeing that his new found friend was unable to go on, he picked up where she had left off. "Jason got into trouble... He was... killed. Annie witnessed it and she had to run away."

Trixie noticed how visible Jim’s freckles had become over his pale skin. His eyes had grown dark and Trixie knew he was somehow recognizing himself in that little girl’s adventure. "We should call the police." he said, slowly.

"NO!" Annie screamed, as she jumped from the chair. "They’ll send me to an orphanage! You said you understood!"

"Calm down, Annie!" Trixie said, walking over to her and surrounding her trembling shoulders with her arms. "Jim, please... Once you asked me not to call the police too, remember?"

Jim was still pale as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Yes, I know, Trix... But if they come after her... If only I already had my school!"

"Let’s make believe we do have the school, ok? Only until we figure out what to do..." Trixie looked pleadingly at Jim, but he had hardly heard the second part of her sentence at all. She’d said ‘we’ instead of ‘you’... and now he would do anything she wanted just to hear her say it again.

"Ok..." he whispered. "We’ll take care of her for a while..."

"I’m worried about that kid, Trix..." Jim said, as they slowly walked the pathway that lead to Crabapple Farm’s front door. "I’m afraid she’s into big trouble."

"Yeah... And somehow I don’t think she told us the whole story. There’s something strange about it..."

Jim couldn’t help but to laugh. Trixie was on a roll! "Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves! Here we go again!" he teased.

Trixie’s face lit up in a big smile. "And are you willing to go into it with me?" she asked.

Jim stopped and stood there a little while, staring at her. She felt her cheeks flush under his intense gaze, but didn’t lower her eyes. Then he walked over to her and held her face in his hands. "Wasn’t I always?" he asked.

"Yes, but..." she gulped, feeling her heart beating out of its usual rhythm. "But sometimes I felt I had dragged you all into my crazy adventures..."

"They weren’t crazy... And you didn’t drag us." Softly he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I know sometimes I overreacted... But that’s just the way I am... I explode easily when it comes to those I really love..."

Trixie held her breath at his words and he stood silently for a second, enjoying the full impact of what he had just said. "I know." she whispered.

"And I will always stand by you. And if it means to dodge from bullets or being kidnapped by evil doers, well, I’ll be there anyway!" he stated, with a serious expression. But in his eyes there was playfulness and Trixie couldn’t help to giggle.

He smiled too and then reached out and pulled one of her curls. "Anyway, now it’s time we say goodnight. I bet Bobby has gone to sleep already..." Jim hesitated, but finally he leant over to her and kissed her cheek. It was not what he really wanted to do, but he figured this wasn’t the time. He didn’t want to make the same mistake again. Breaking away from her, he wondered if that bewildered look in her eyes had a little bit of disappointment in it... But maybe it was just wistful thinking.

************************

Dan Mangan took in a great breath of fresh air, as he walked out of the train station. Throwing his traveling bag over his shoulder, he thought how wonderful it was to be back home. It had been a long time since he had come to Sleepyside for the first time. Such a long time that sometimes he could hardly recall any of the events that had taken place before his arrival. If home is where your heart is, this was home. He had a family and friends and wonderful memories to go with it. And a future... Next September he was starting Law School and a whole new horizon was spreading before his eyes.

The tall, dark-haired 23-year-old didn’t have to wait long until he saw the old and familiar VW beetle appearing from around the bend. He waved at the blond young man behind the wheel, who stopped the car right in front of him.

"Mart, my man! What’s cooking?" Dan said as he hit the other’s open palm with his own.

Mart gave him a broad smile. "Your vocabulary seems to lack a certain je ne sais quoi, every time you return from New York. But the use of such a terminology reminds me that I am famished."

Dan burst out laughing. "As usual!"

"Now seriously, man. It is great to see you!" Mart said as he climbed out of the car to open the trunk.

"It’s wonderful to be back. New York just doesn’t cut it for me anymore!" Dan said as he leant back on the seat. "And how’s everyone?" Dan frowned as he saw Mart’s expression grow dim.

"Not that well, actually. It’s been kinda stormy around here..."

The dark haired young man whistled after Mart told him the whole story.

"Wow! Trixie must be pretty confused... Well, but I have to say I really saw that coming. It just surprises me that it took so long."

Mart nodded in agreement.

"Yeah... We all did... And Trixie did too. And now she blames herself for not acting on it."

"Poor kid!" Dan said.

"Yeah, but you know how much she hates to be pitied. The worst, though, is that she’s doubting her calling... Or better, she says the agency doesn’t make sense without Honey... Apparently she was already in doubt before this..."

"Well," Dan said "I guess the only thing we can do now is stand by her. She’ll be needing our support..."

Mart grinned. "She has it... Last night Jim took her out on a date."

Dan’s eyes widened and he smiled. "Really? I was wondering if I would have to personally kick his butt!"

Dan’s remark made Mart laugh out loud. "Oh yeah? Hey, I always thought you wished he would never make a move!", Mart teased.

His friend took a deep breath and a sad smile came to his lips. "You’re wrong, Martin, my friend. I did have a little crush on your sister... Who wouldn’t? There was a time I thought there was a chance, but then I realized Trixie is the kind of girl that only gives her heart away once... And Jim caught it long ago. Even if things didn’t work out between them, I would always be second best to her... No, I want them to be happy and I’ll do anything to help those two stubborn mules understand they need each other."

Mart gulped and wished he knew what to say. He had suddenly realized he had just heard the definition of true friendship. Meanwhile, he had halted the car on a red light. Mart noticed Dan was pretty quiet and wondered if he was still thinking about Trixie and Jim. Looking sideways at him, he saw Dan staring at some people at the bus stop.

"Hey, you have just returned from far off places.", Mart said, ironically "Have you already started to consider which of Sleepyside’s fair maidens is worth your wooing?"

Dan playfully punched him on his shoulder. "No, Mart, I’m not checking out the babes! There’s a guy over there... I know him... He’s bad news. I met him at the DA’s office... I was there this last semester, in a sort of training..." he explained. "Anyway, this guy was on trial for drug possession and traffic... He got out on a technicality and the attorney I was working with was going nuts over it..."

Mart followed Dan’s gaze and saw a young man in his late twenties waiting to cross the street. He was dressed in perfectly normal clothes but there was something in the way he moved, in the way he looked at people that made Mart shiver.

"And what’s he doing in Sleepyside?", Mart asked, frowning.

"Beats me! And I wish I’ll never have to find out!"

****

"Mornin’, sis!" Jim greeted as he entered the dining room.

Honey raised her head from the newspaper and smiled at her brother’s gay mood. "Hi! You’re looking very cheerful this morning. May I gather that it has something to do with, oh, let’s say, your date with Trixie?"

He grinned back at her. "You may... Or you may say that it’s just because there’s a beautiful day outside."

"Yeah, right..." Honey replied, as she took another sip of her orange juice. "I know you, big brother. C’me on, spill the beans!"

Jim sighed and leaned back on the chair. "It was wonderful, Honey... It was like old times. We laughed and danced and had fun... No strings attached, you know? We didn’t mention these last events... I wanted her to have fun and to forget it for a while."

His sister nodded in agreement. "You did right... I know her brain is working at full-speed."

"Did you two talk?" Jim asked as he reached for a piece of cake.

"Yes... She’s pretty confused... She told me it isn’t just my giving up on the agency. Trixie talked about some decision she’s trying to make..." Honey shrugged. "She wouldn’t tell me what she was thinking. The only explanation she was willing to give me was that she wasn’t going to settle for second best."

Jim’s expression turned serious. "Second best?" he gulped as the words sank in. "Do you have any idea of what she’s talking about?"

"No, Jim, I don’t... I know it must have something to do with her future, her career..."

Suddenly, Jim had lost all his appetite. The picture of what Trixie might consider being second best had suddenly become very clear in his mind. And it hurt.

************************

Trixie couldn’t wait to finish her chores. Bobby had been throwing sideway glances at her behind their mother’s back and she’d manage to understand he wanted to talk. Something must have happened... Bobby had been late for breakfast that morning and Trixie had noticed there was something upsetting him. She only hoped Annie hadn’t managed to escape the locked clubhouse. Finally, Helen Belden went back into the kitchen and her two youngest off-springs were left alone in the garden.

"What happened, Bobby?" she asked as soon as she heard the kitchen’s screen door slam.

"Something’s wrong." he answered, in a low voice. "I went to the tree house this morning... Last night, Annie had told me she had forgotten her medallion when I brought her to the clubhouse. So I decided to go back this morning and get it... Trixie, someone else has been there... The place is trashed!"

"What do you mean ‘trashed’?" Trixie asked, frowning. "You told me that Annie had left empty cans all over the place!"

"No, it isn’t that! What I mean is broken shelves, everything that was on top of them lying on the ground... Nothing was left standing, except the house itself. Oh, and no trace of the medallion!"

Trixie’s interest suddenly pricked up. "So the house was searched... Whoever did it was looking for something."

"You think the disappearance of the medallion means the person was looking for a trace of Annie... Or they just happened to find it and decided it was worth something?" Bobby’s eyes were now a blue lagoon of excitement and fear.

"It could be either... But I have a hunch that it wasn’t just a coincidence... Which leads me to conclude Annie was followed and is presently in danger."

"Who’s in danger?" a familiar voice said behind them.

Trixie and Bobby turned at the sound, startled.

"Are you getting into trouble again, missy?" Dan said, with a huge smile.

"No... But you might, if you continue to heaves drop on my conversations!" Trixie replied with a serious face, before she let her smile out in the open. "Hi, Dan. Welcome back!" she said, hugging her friend. "Was the trip ok?"

"Yeah... Until I got to Sleepyside. After that I feared for my life! Mart is on his Michael Schumacher phase!"

Jim knocked three times on the door. It was the signal he had arranged with Annie the previous night. To his surprise, before he could insert the key in the keyhole, Annie opened the door herself, from the inside. He stood there staring at her, in bewilderment. Then he got it. He too had learned a few tricks while he lived on the streets. But he had never wanted to make an art out of it. Annie apparently was pretty proud of her talents.

"Pretty cool, hum?" she said with a smile of mockery.

"Yeah, yeah... Well, we could have left you with a key, you know... Then you wouldn’t have to bother picking the lock! You could have warned us there was no use in locking you in!" Jim said, as he dropped the parcels he had been carrying on the table.

"Where was the fun then? Besides didn’t you sleep better thinking I was nice and safe here?" she asked folding her arms.

"How considerate of you!" despite his tone, Jim was smiling. He was starting to like the kid. "Here," he said, pointing at the bags he had carried. "These are for you. There are some clothes, soap, brushes, tooth paste... the works. And there’s some food too. I bet you’re sick of canned food."

"Well, it kinda grows on you." she answered pretending to be uninterested. But the glimmer in her eyes betrayed her.

Moments later, the two of them were at the table. Annie was literally wolfing down her food, which brought a smile to Jim’s face, despite his concern for the girl. Now, dressed with a pair of Trixie’s old blue jeans she had dug out from the attic and a t-shirt that was too big for her skinny figure, Annie look more frail than ever. Her hair was clean now and combed back in a ponytail. Her face looked so young, after washing all the dirt away, that Jim’s heart ached thinking about all the other kids that were out on the streets, with no one to take care of them. He knew there was only so much he could do with his school, but nonetheless he was doing it!

"I was wondering..." Annie said, between two mouthfuls of chocolate cake, "You live in that mansion up on the hill, right?"

"Yeah... So?" he asked, leaning his face on his hand.

"Last night you said you were like me... You know, an orphan." he couldn’t help noticing how she had pronounced the word as if it was swearing.

He took in a deep breath.

"I was, once... But Trixie... That’s the girl that was with us last night, Bobby’s sister... Trixie helped me out and the Wheelers adopted me."

"You like her, don’t you?" Annie said, with a mocking smile.

Jim couldn’t help to blush under the scrutinizing eye of the girl. "What’s it to you anyway?" he said, smiling. "C’me on, eat up. Trixie is going to be here any minute and we have to decide what to do with you."

Annie got up, nearly knocking the chair over. The previous night’s frightened look appeared again in her eyes. "You won’t turn me in, will you?" she whispered.

Jim walked over to her and surrounded her trembling shoulders with his arm. "No. A promise is a promise. But we have to do something. You can’t be here forever..."

Annie let her head fall and her eyes stare at the floor. After a few moments, she spoke with a voice Jim found hard to believe it could belong to such a young girl. "I know that..." after a few moments of silence, during which she seemed to gather her courage again, she walked away from Jim’s protective arm and glanced around as if seeing the club house for the very first time.

"You guys got a club, right?" she inquired. "Like in those kids’ books, right?"

He grinned at the comparison. "Something like that..."

"You were pretty lucky, you know? Most kids that form clubs usually end up in jail or worse..."

"Ours wasn’t that kind of a club," Jim said, frowning.

"The principle is the same, really," she said and Jim couldn’t help trembling at her knowledgeable tone. "Kids who can’t take care of themselves alone gather up with the kids in their neighborhood... and that’s that! Next thing they’re terrorizing everyone."

"That’s a gang, not a club!"

She shrugged. "I don’t see much difference. My guess is that a club is what lucky kids that have money and a family call a gang. Or the other way around... The thing is those kids don’t have to defend themselves so they won’t get into trouble. But I guess you understand." her eyes suddenly locked with his. "Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you hadn’t been adopted by... what’s their name? The Wheeler’s, right? Have you?"

Every single minute of these last nine years, he thought.

"I thought as much." Annie said, as if she had read his thoughts. "I’m not holding this against you, no way. I’m pretty grateful for what you are doing. I just wanted to make sure you understood."

"Annie, I do understand. Even if I didn’t thank the Lord for this chance He decided to give me, there’s someone in our club that came from New York and who was in trouble with the cops because he was in a gang. And we heard those same words from him, once. You don’t have to be defensive with us. We want to help you." Jim said, gently. He had suddenly realized how scared Annie was.

Precisely at that moment, Trixie arrived. It didn’t take her long to understand that she had interrupted a particularly difficult moment. Somehow it made her feel awkward.

"Hi, Trix." Jim greeted. "Is there something wrong? You look strange."

Trixie nodded and tried to dismiss the feeling of being the fifth wheel on the wagon. "Well, Bobby was by the tree house this morning..." she started.

"Did he find my medallion?" Annie interrupted, as she came out of the corner where she had been standing as if in hiding.

Thinking that Annie reminded her a little of herself years back, Trixie smiled. But she quickly returned to a more serious look when she remembered the true reason for being there. "No, he didn’t... What he found was that the place was searched."

Jim walked across the room to where Trixie was standing and looked her deep in the eyes. Trixie felt shivers down her back, as if she hadn’t seen those green eyes before. Suddenly she felt 14 again. "You mean someone has been there?" he whispered, despite the fact Annie could hear him perfectly well.

Trixie could only nod. Lord, last night’s getting to me! she thought.

"You think they were looking for...?" Jim didn’t have time to end his sentence because Annie did it for him. "For me. They were looking for me." she said, white as paper. "I should have known they would be able to find me..."

Shacking off the strange feeling that had possessed her, Trixie walked over to Annie and tried to remember whatever she had learned in college. I did study Psychology, my God! A lot of good it’s doing me!, she mentally scolded herself. "Annie, do they... whoever they are... know you were there?", she asked, trying to be as gentle as possible.

"No... I’m sure they didn’t! If they had I wouldn’t be here now..." Annie answered, trying to dominate the trembling in her voice.

"Then why are you so sure you were followed here?"

Annie closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "I guess they just put two and two together when they noticed I was missing..."

Trixie looked into her eyes, feeling the same exhilaration she always felt whenever one of her hunches proved right. "There is something you haven’t told us, isn’t there?" she asked, unable to hide the triumph in her tone.

"Well, I guess..."

*****

The library wasn’t exactly Bobby’s favorite place in Sleepyside. Despite that, he was the first person to enter the place, which earned him a very favorable compliment from Miss Hanson, the librarian. Being one of Sleepyside’s most characteristic spinsters, Miss Hanson wasn’t exactly the kind of woman a boy of 15 likes to be complimented by. Especially when a group of his friends is just passing by.

"My, my, if it isn’t young Robert Belden!" she exclaimed out loud, as she saw him sitting on the front steps.

"Good morning, Miss Hanson!" he said, blushing.

"Well, it’s wonderful to see you take after your older brother. Studying even in the Summer...! I’m impressed. I always thought you were more like your sister Beatrix. Why, I could count the times she’s been here with the fingers of one hand!" standing by the entrance, Miss Hanson didn’t seem to want to go in. And then she performed what was for Bobby the absolute humiliation: she pinched his cheek! "It’s wonderful to see you here indeed!" she concluded.

But the damage was done. The picture of two of his friends from school laughing at the sight on the sidewalk wasn’t likely to fade away easily. However, later that morning, Bobby concluded that maybe Miss Hanson’s good image of him was worth the humiliation. Since he wasn’t familiar with the place it took him quite a while to figure out where to find what he was looking for. Lucky for him, Miss Hanson decided to be helpful. But of course she wanted to know why on earth he was interested in murders stories published in New York’s newspapers.

"Don’t tell me you are trying to become a detective, like that crazy sister of yours, are you?" Miss Hanson asked, in what Bobby interpreted as a menacing tone.

"No!" he answered, with the most angelic expression he could find within him. "It’s a project I’m setting up for next year... I want to get an early start, you see!"

Apparently she was convinced and led him to the new computer system the library had installed, which allowed him to perform an online search. Bobby was shocked to see how many murders there were in New York every day. He knew Sleepyside was a pretty quiet place, but he had never realized how quiet. And the saddest thing was most of those murders were left unsolved: the victims were usually prostitutes, gang members or homeless people. And since Jason, Annie’s friend, probably fitted into one of the last two categories, the search proved long.

He was about to give it up when he thought of something else. Knowing it was a long shot, nonetheless he decided to search the obituaries. He didn’t even know Jason’s last name but he would try it anyway. After a few moments, he found himself staring at the monitor. The column in front of him read: "Jason, beloved son of Mary-Ann and Lewis Parker. Dead at 19. The family thanks all the friends that accompanied him to his resting place. We will avenge you, Jason."

Above the words, there was a picture of a good-looking boy, with a beautiful smile. Somehow, Bobby was certain that it was him. And he got even more certain when he saw the link beneath the column. It took him to a news story he had overlooked before. MISSING HEIR FOUND DEAD, the title read. As he read through the story, Bobby felt his heart throbbing and the hair on the back of his neck stand. Apparently, Jason had been missing for over four years. No ransom had ever been demanded, so the Police had considered him as a runaway. About a month ago, the family had been contacted by a man who claimed to have kidnapped Jason and demanded a 2 million dollars ransom. Lewis Parker hadn’t contacted the Police and had taken the money to the pre-arranged location. When the Police got there, after being called by Mary-Ann, Lewis Parker was unconscious at the site, the money was gone and Jason was found dead near by.

Without even seeing his own reflection, Bobby knew for a fact that he must be white as paper. Had Annie lied to him or was she simply not telling the whole truth? Or could it be that she wasn’t aware of what had really happened? He felt dizzy as every possibility came to his mind. But, despite the fear of being involved in something dangerous, Bobby understood, for the first in his life, what Trixie felt every time she working on a case. He felt the blood rushing through his veins, filling him with an unknown energy and an indescribable exhilaration. To sum it up, he felt alive.

********************

 

By the time Bobby got to the club house he was certain Annie had omitted the true facts on purpose. And he was mad. After all, he had shown her she could trust him. But apparently she didn’t. He stormed into the club house only to freeze in his steps, as he found himself staring at Trixie, Jim and Annie sitting around the table. "Oh, it’s great that we’re all here!" Bobby said, ironically, "We do have something important to discuss. You know, Annie" he said as he approached her "I’ve been to the library."

"How great for you!" she mumbled, frowning.

"And I’ve seen Jason’s obituary... As well as the news story about his death." Bobby sat down right in front of the girl and stared at her, attentively.

Annie nodded and smiled, understanding what he was getting at. "Oh..." she said.

Trixie and Jim exchanged glances and then Trixie said: "Bobby, I believe your trip to the library was useless... Annie has already told us what really happened. We know why Jason died..."

The 15 year old boy wanted to find a hole he could dive into. Blushed to the root of his sand colored hair, he whispered: "Do you mind telling me then?"

Annie took a deep breath. She was getting used to repeating her story over and over again. "Jason was a rich kid... His father was powerful businessman. And he was also hard on Jason... Jason wanted to be a musician but Mr. Parker... that’s his father... had other plans. He was planning to send him to a business school. They had big fights over it, despite the fact that Jason was only 15 at the time. Once apparently Mr. Parker pushed him one too many times and Jason ran off. He managed to survive and about two years ago we met.", Annie stopped and looked at Bobby, that still had an angry look in his eyes. "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner, but Jason took a long time to tell me himself. It was hard for him to talk about it... It was like revealing his secret, you see?"

"Just go on," Bobby said.

"Well, anyway... Some months ago, Jason and I met these guys... When you live out on the streets, you’re bound to meet all kinds of people... Specially those you really want to stay away from... But somehow Jason was desperate enough to overlook certain things. Those guys messed with heavy business, if you know what I mean... Jason grew stranger and stranger and he seemed to drift away from me. We had great fights and once he told me he had ran off because people kept telling him what to do and that he didn’t want to start all over again. But I was worried... I started following him. I didn’t know what was going on until... Until that night. I heard them fighting, Jason and Dave... That was the name of the other guy... It seems Jason had told them their life story and those guys decided to take advantage of it. Jason found out and... Well, I suppose you already know the rest."

Bobby nodded. By now his anger had faded away. Like all the Beldens his heart was on the right place. Gently, he reached out and squeezed Annie’s hand. Surprised, Annie smiled.

Jim then cleared his throat, breaking the uncomfortable atmosphere. "Well, guys, we need a plan. We want to protect you, Annie, but you are witness to a murder. You’re the only one who can identify Jason’s murderer. He belongs in jail."

Trixie interrupted him, by laying her hand on his arm. Her touch was like fire on his skin and he lost all track of his thoughts. "You’re right, Jim. But Annie is in danger. If she goes to the Police... Well, maybe it would be easier for this Dave guy... If he’s the one chasing her... to find her. First, we have to find out why he’s after her."

By then, Bobby’s brain was steaming. The pieces were starting to fit together and he was getting dizzy... Without knowing he was speaking out loud, he said: "But we do know!"

Annie pulled her hand away from his grip, looking scared. As he stared into her eyes, he knew he was right. "The ransom money, isn’t it? The two million dollars, you took them, didn’t you?" Bobby stated, knowing for sure.

Jim gulped and stared at Trixie. She was sitting by his side, quiet, in awe, gazing at her little brother. He knew what she was thinking: when had she lost control of the situation?

Annie was pale. Bobby felt sorry for her, but he couldn’t back away now. If she wanted their help, she’d have to trust them... no matter what! "C’me on, Annie. We need to know everything, if we are to help you!" he said, looking straight into her eyes.

Trixie looked at Bobby as if she was seeing him for the first time. It was like those last nine years had gone by without her noticing... It seemed to her that only yesterday Bobby was that little six-year-old kid that loved secrets and sploring. And now she was suddenly aware that he was exactly the same age she had been when it all started. Mesmerized at the turn of events she sat back and watched.

Annie’s eyes were the first to give in. The pressure of those three people staring at her and of knowing she couldn’t escape were to hard for her to handle and the tears streamed down her face. "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you... It’s just that it all happened so fast... I really didn’t know if I could trust you. But now, I guess I don’t have a choice." Taking a deep breath, she started: "That night, Jason found out what Dave was planning to do. He went to stop him and I followed him. Jason had been acting strange and decided it was best if I... Well, I don’t know what I was expecting to do, but I went anyway."

"Then what?" Bobby asked, impatiently.

"Easy, Bobby, let her finish." Jim said, gently. But he couldn’t help smiling. Bobby reminded him so much of Trixie, when she was his age!

The girl lowered her eyes and they could hear the tears in her voice. "Jason and Dave fought. Dave said he was a fool, for not wanting to take his part in it! That he could be rich! Jason answered by saying he had ran away from being rich and that he wouldn’t let him torture his family any further. Next thing I knew Dave had a gun in his hand... He shot Jason... Then someone yelled and Dave ran towards the road. I guess it was Jason’s dad. From then on... It’s all a blur. I know I heard the police sirens and saw Dave running away. He had a bag with him... A big bag, which was slowing him down. He hid it in some bushes, probably planning to come back and get it when things were quieter... I took it and ran off!"

"Where is it now?" Trixie asked.

"At the train station, here in Sleepyside." Annie took a deep breath, to try to control the trembling in her voice. "When I got here I noticed a lot of cops around and decided it was best if they didn’t see me carrying that bag... So I put it in a locker."

"Captain Molinson was always a sucker for security." Trixie said, with a smile.

"So I guess we should be getting that bag as soon as possible." Jim stated.

The young girl bit her lip and her brown eyes went back to staring at the ground. "Well, that’s the problem you see... I hid the key to the locker in my medallion."

"Oh Lord! And the medallion is missing!" Trixie moaned, hiding her face in her hands.

"Are you sure you had the medallion with you when Bobby found you?" Jim asked, his brow frowning with concern. "It was a long trip... You could have lost it somewhere else."

Annie shook her head, decisively.

"No, I’m sure I had it. The medallion was my mother’s. It’s the only thing I have left. At night when I say my prayers I hold it in my hand... If I had lost it, I would have known."

Trixie gulped, in silence, feeling touched by the girl’s words. Annie, the homeless child, who sometimes had to steal for a living, still said her prayers before bed. As if letting go of that apparently misplaced habit would mean cutting the final ties to her previous life. As if it would be the same as admitting misery was the only thing life had in store for her. And suddenly she understood why Jim was so attached to his own principles, which had been the core of their arguments. Letting go of them, or even compromising on a few would mean letting go of what he had left of his origins. James Winthrop Frayne II was much more than Matthew Wheeler’s adopted son. Though Trixie couldn’t remember what her life had been like without him around, she finally realized he could never forget his past. And that was the real reason he cherished everything and every moment of his life in Sleepyside. Without really knowing why she whispered the verse of a song she’d heard: "When the Gods send you a blessing, you don’t ask why it was sent."

"What?" Jim asked.

"Oh nothing. I was just thinking out loud." Trixie said, smiling at him.

"I guess that if it was Dave on the tree house and he found the medallion, he’ll be certain I’m around! He was always teasing me about it..." Annie went on. "I was such a fool! But I was too scared... too confused to cover my tracks properly! It was easy for him to follow me."

"I’m afraid to say I agree with you, Annie." Trixie folded her arms over her chest and sighed. "And with this money business it’s best if we don’t even dream of telling this story to the Police."

To her surprise, Jim nodded.

"I agree. If we tell the Police, Annie might be charged with theft, obstruction of Justice and God knows what else."

"That’s right." Gazing at him, her blue eyes filled with wonder, Trixie could help but smile at him.

"So, what do we do?" Bobby inquired, hating the feeling of being unable to do anything.

Three pairs of eyes suddenly turned to Trixie. But it was an old and familiar feeling. "We wait. And do some research."

"God, I missed this!" Dan exclaimed as he leant back on the chair. "Mrs. Belden’s cooking is the best in the New York State... At least! Yes, yes, I admit it. It’s even better than Mr. Maypenny’s stew!"

"Well, that’s what I call a compliment! It’s nice to be appreciated." Helen Belden said, teasing her husband, apparently concentrated in the reading of the newspaper.

Dan smiled and winked at her, while he stepped out into the yard.

"I heard that!" Peter Belden answered, smiling at his pretty wife.

The Belden kitchen was once again filled with the laughter of young people. It had been a long time since it had last happened. Helen couldn’t be happier. She’d grown to love each one of the Bob-Whites as she loved her own 4 children and she loved to see them all together again. Even when she sensed this was a crucial time for many of them, the time in which they chose their own paths. And she wished them all the luck in the world.

"Watch it, Shamus!" Mart groaned as Trixie bumped into him, while setting the table. She looked at him, surprised. It had been a long time since Mart called her that. When she met his eyes she saw it was deliberate. He knew something was up. His blue eyes were so like her own its message was unmistakable.

"Watch it yourself. Why don’t you make yourself useless somewhere else?" she answered in the same tone.

Honey giggled.

"Oh, guys! Watching you two is like time traveling! Won’t you ever stop teasing each other?"

"And give up one of my greatest pleasures in life?" Mart shook his growing curls. "Not ever!"

"One of your greatest pleasures? Uh-oh! Di wouldn’t like to hear that!" Brian’s remark made Mart blush to the root of his hair and sent the other BWG’s into wild laughter. Diana Lynch and Mart had been going steady for a few months and they were the BWG’s favorite teasing subject.

"Speaking of Di, where is she?" Honey asked, concerned. "She should have been here by now."

 

"Oh, you know Di. She takes forever to put on a pair of jeans and a T-Shirt!" Trixie said, winking at Honey.

"Behold envy raising its ugly head!" Mart retorted.

Through the open kitchen door Dan and Jim heard the conversation and smiled. They had been standing out on the yard for a while, grilling the hamburgers. The sun was setting but it was still warm outside. The air was filled with the smell of the apple trees and Mrs. Belden’s cooking. Jim took in a deep breath and exhaled.

"It doesn’t get much better than this, does it?" Dan asked smiling.

Jim smiled back at his friend.

"No... Not much better, no."

"How are you two, Jim?" Dan asked, his voice suddenly growing serious.

"Who?" Jim turned the hamburgers on the grill, pretending not to know what he meant.

"C’me on, Jimmy! Not with me... Just open up!" Dan insisted.

In the summer twilight their voices traveled far, so they kept their tone low. "I don’t really know, Dan. We’ve been growing closer again, these last few days, but I don’t know if it’s enough." To his own surprise, Jim found himself opening up to the same man he’d been so jealous of. But he trusted him, without restraints. "I wish I knew when the right time to push things further is."

"Just tell her whatever you feel."

"It’s not that easy. She’s confused, she’s hurt... I don’t want to..."

"Hogwash!", Dan interrupted him. "I’m sorry, Jim, but that sounds like lame excuses to me! I know how it is, man... I do! But with Trixie... Jim, first she was too young, then it wasn’t fair because you were leaving for college, then she went to college herself... When will this end, Jim?"

The red-haired young man stared at his friend, frowning. "How do you know all that?"

"Because those were the same excuses Trixie found not to make a move!"

Jim stopped turning the hamburgers on the grill and just stood there, struggling to catch his breath and to say something. Dan shook his head and patted him on the shoulder, sympathizing with his situation. "We talked a lot, after you and Brian left for college, you know. She never really opened her heart about her feelings but she said enough for me to understand. Look, man, I love you guys as if you were my brother and sister. And I want to see you two happy, more than anything."

"And I want to make her happy, Dan. It’s the only thing I really, really want!" Jim lifted his head and stared straight into his friend’s black eyes. Dan felt his heart tighten with the determination and deep feelings he saw in Jim’s emerald green eyes. "I would give up everything for her, Dan, everything... But I don’t know if I have the right to push her into a decision right now, when she needs peace and quiet to sort her life out..."

"Hey, Jim, I understand. But I also know that it was your principles and ethics, the same ones you’re talking about right now, that got you into this trouble. Jim, Trixie will never have peace and quiet until you two sort things out. She’ll always be wondering. You might be taking advantage of the situation, but it’s not like you’re taking advantage of her! Hell, we both know Trixie... She knows how to defend herself! Just do it, Jim. I have a feeling this will be your last chance... Take it or you will be a fool!"

A deep silence fell over the two young men, as if enveloping them. The voices coming from the house seemed terribly distant. Dan’s words were digging deep into Jim’s heart. He knew his friend was right of course. He had to do something or he would never forgive himself. He couldn’t take her for granted once again. And he certainly wasn’t giving up on her.

"You’re right, Dan. Thanks. I guess I needed a wake up call." Jim took in a deep breath and smiled. "I hope it works, Dan... I don’t know what I’ll do without her."

His friend shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I guess it’s best for you to know whether you’ll ever have to find out."

Meanwhile, Diana Lynch, known as one of the prettiest girls in Sleepyside, finally made her entrance in the Belden’s kitchen. Trixie couldn’t help to smile at the ecstatic look on Mart’s face as he saw her come in. She was very happy for both of them. Di had always been a great friend and had become more so as the years had passed. Some time before she might have been regarded as a little silly scary-cat, very pretty to look at but without much brightness. But Mart had believed it otherwise and she had been able to prove all of those people wrong.

Di hugged Mart tight and kissed him soundly. "Hello, baby. Hi, everyone. I’m sorry I’m late, but I ran into Mr. Lytell." She said, making a face. But no matter how much she tried she could never be less than beautiful. Even now wearing old jeans and a white t-shirt, Diana was a sight. Her eyes were more violet than ever and her raven hair, which she had cut up to her shoulders recently, was as becoming as it could be. Trixie couldn’t help feeling a little envious of her but it soon passed.

"Mr. Lytell? Well, there’s someone I haven’t seen in a while." Honey stated.

"Dare I say you haven’t made an effort not to be so, dear almost sister-in-law?" Mart asked, winking at her.

Honey laughed.

"Well, let’s say I usually take a detour every time I pass his store. He’s growing more annoying every day."

"Don’t be mean, kids. Mr. Lytell is a nice man. And he has proved to be a true friend at times." Mrs. Belden said, while holding a bowl full of chocolate chip cookies.

"Oh, yes. But never before he knew everything that did not concern him." Trixie sighed, remembering some of the hard times the old busybody had put them through.

"And he’s at it again... That’s why I’m so late." Di said as she put on one of Mrs. Belden’s aprons and started helping Mart with the salad. "He was determined to find out why you were interested in selling a part of the game preserve." She concluded nodding towards Honey.

There was a bewildered look in the other girl’s face as everyone turned towards her.

"Your parents are thinking of selling part of the preserve?" Brian asked.

"No! I’m sure they would have told me if they did!" Honey answered, confused.

Diana shook her head and tried to calm them with a gesture. "I am too, Honey, don’t worry. I’m sure it was just Mr. Lytell’s rambling... He told me a man came by his store and they started talking. He says the man asked to whom belonged the big estate he had just passed and if the lake area was part of it. Probably, and knowing Mr. Lytell as we do, the poor man never opened his mouth and it was our old friend that him every detail of the history of Sleepyside. Mr. Lytell’s said that the man commented about being interested in buying a farm in the area and he was kind enough (and this is a quote, mind you) to provide the gentleman with a detailed map of the Wheeler, Lynch and Belden’s estate." Di giggled. "So you see, there’s nothing to worry about. The poor man, no matter if he really was interested in making an offer to Mr. Wheeler, has given up the idea by now! I don’t think he’ll be returning to Mr. Lytell’s anytime soon."

Nevertheless, Honey was still worried.

"I do hope my father isn’t thinking of selling... I’d hate to lose a single inch of this estate. There are so many special places in it..."

Brian put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple gently. "I’m sure he doesn’t, sweetie. Your dad loves this place even more than you do."

Trixie heard everything in silence. Though she was certain Mr. Lytell had been to fast in jumping to conclusions, there was something in that story that was bothering her. She just wasn’t quite sure what it was.

*****************************

She watched him as he discreetly stepped out to the porch. All the others were engaged in a charade game and didn’t notice his absence. Or if they did they decided it was best not to mention it. Through the parlor window she saw him lean over the railing, his eyes lost somewhere in the woods. An overwhelming feeling of tenderness grew inside her heart. She could see now that somehow their closeness and intimacy over the years had kept them apart. Like two magnets which are inseparable if you get the sides right. Because if you don’t there’s not a single force in Nature that can bring them together. And maybe that was it... Opposites attract and they had somehow been too alike.

Responding to her deepest impulses, Trixie got up from the couch and went outside. Dan smiled as he saw her walk out of the room and his eyes were caught by Mart’s. He winked at him and they both returned their attentions to the game.

Trixie shivered as she stepped out to the porch. Inside had been quite warm and the fabric of shirt she was wearing was thin. Jim never noticed her presence until she was very close to him. "Trix!" he exclaimed, startled. "God, you scared the living daylights outta me!"

"Sorry." She said with a smile. "Do you want me to leave?"

"No! Of course not. I was just thinking and didn’t hear you." He smiled back at her. "What’s wrong?" he asked, as she shivered once more. "Are you cold?"

"Oh, it’ll pass... It’s just the temperature difference. I’ll get a coat or something..."

"No, don’t bother. Take mine. I’m kinda hot anyway..." Jim took of his denim jacket and put it around her shoulders.

"Thanks." she said, trying to deal with his last remark and the feeling of his jacket around her. If she closed her eyes she could imagine it was him holding her. Snap out of it, girl, she said to herself, it’s just a jacket!

"It’s such a beautiful night." Jim said, climbing down the steps to the garden. "I was thinking Annie would love to be here. I don’t think she has had many moments like this..."

Trixie nodded. "Yeah... I know what you mean... Maybe she can be with us soon. We’ll do anything to help her."

"You know, Trix, meeting her has made me remember how fortunate I’ve been... How fortunate we all are. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t decided to snoop around my uncle’s house... Where would I be?"

She gulped and tried to lighten the moment by joking. "Oh, I’m sure you would have scared trouble away with one of your ‘I mean business’ looks! I know you scared me!"

To her surprise, Jim closed his eyes and exhaled. "I did, didn’t I?", he whispered, and Trixie wasn’t sure if he had meant her to hear. Then he turned to her and reached out his hand to her. "Come with me, Trix. Let’s take a walk."

Without a word, Trixie held his hand with her own and followed him. They walked slowly and in silence up the hill, hand in hand. Finally, they got to their destination: Ten Acres, the estate that had once belonged to Jim’s uncle and was now his own. The scenery of their first meeting. Still holding hands, Jim led her to a fallen log, in front of which was the large clearing where the Blue Mansion, as it was known, had once stood. Now, not even the darkened debris that had survived the terrible fire bore a physical evidence of it ever having existed. In its place, pilled up construction material to be used in the building of Jim’s school for orphans announced a new dawn for Ten Acres.

"This place is going to be beautiful after it’s all built." Trixie said, gazing at the scenery.

He smiled, a dreamy look on his face.

"I certainly hope so. I can’t wait to start... I’m just waiting for Brian and Honey’s party to start building. It would be awful to have dust and dirt flying all over the place."

"Yeah... Your mum would love it!" Trixie giggled at the thought of Madeleine Wheeler coughing her way through clouds of dust. "But seriously now... It’s gonna be hard to get all this up and running."

"I know..." he answered. Silence fell over them again, each buried in their own thoughts.

"I wish my dreams had turned out the way I imagined them..." Trixie whispered, half wishing he wouldn’t hear.

"Why didn’t they, Trix?" he asked, tilting her chin up with his finger, so she would look straight into his eyes. "I know that there’s something else bothering you... It’s not just Honey going to New York to study, is it? Listen, I know I haven’t done much lately to earn your trust... But I wish you’d give me another chance. Please tell me."

"What do you mean, Jim? Not trusting you? I would trust you with my life..." There was a sad smile in her face as she went on: "In fact, that is part of the problem... I trust you all. All the BWG’s. And it just doesn’t make much sense going on without you."

Jim didn’t dare say a word. He hoped in his heart that Trixie would finally open her heart and tell him what was happening.

She understood what he was waiting for and decided it was time she told him. Besides, she had already made her decision. She had made it that night, in her kitchen, watching all of her friends together laughing and sharing one more of those moments that made it all so special.

"What I’m trying to say, Jim, is that I don’t want to be away from you all... From Sleepyside. When Honey was coming with me, it was different... She was a constant reminder, she was someone who had shared all that happened. It doesn’t make much sense to me doing it without her... You can call me weak or a coward... Believe me it all has passed through my mind over and over again. But I can’t... I won’t! It’s not worth it. I’m giving up on the agency."

Jim was bewildered. He didn’t know what to expect, but he certainly didn’t expect this. Clearing his throat, he said:

"Are you sure? Trixie, it’s always worth to fight for a dream, no matter how hard it seems. You taught me that!"

Taking a deep breath, she got up and he feared she would leave. But she didn’t. She just stood there, bracing herself. After a few moments, she turned back to him.

"I know! I know, Jim. But that’s just it... Without Honey, without you, it isn’t my dream anymore. Not the way I dreamt it. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life chasing adulterers, just because I’m getting paid... I don’t know how to explain, but I loved it for the fun, for the team work... And suddenly you guys all moved on and I’m... I feel lost!"

"Why did you only make that decision now?", he asked, being as careful as he could with his words. "Was it because of Honey?"

"Yes... Maybe... I’m not sure. I guess I suddenly realized I was alone... That it weren’t the BWG’s anymore..."

At this, Jim got up and walked up to her. "You’ll never be alone... We’ll always be here for you."

She shook her head, making her sandy curls bounce and smiled. "I know! That’s not what I mean. I know you guys are worried about me. What I meant was that I was the only one acting and thinking as if it was still nine years ago!"

"I wish it could be nine years ago." he whispered.

"Why?" Trixie pointed at the clearing ahead of them. "Your dream is coming true, at last. You fought so hard to get it... Why do you want to go back?"

"Because I overlooked some important parts of my dream along the way. Without which it doesn’t make much sense either." Jim could hardly believe he had said those words. He sounded so serene, so calm... And he felt neither. But it was said. And by the expression on Trixie’s face and the deep blush that now covered her cheeks, he knew she had gotten the message.

"Would you have changed anything, if you could go back?" she asked, avoiding his eyes.

"Yeah... I would have told some people how much they meant to me, in due time. You’re always thinking they know but most times they don’t..."

"Oh..." it was all Trixie could utter. Jim was now standing very close to her, his eyes deep into hers and every time that happened she seemed to lose all of her thinking abilities.

"And I would have shown you how much I admired you and your spunk, instead of scolding you all the time for getting into trouble... I’m really sorry, Trixie and I wish the way I acted played no part in your decision. I never wanted you to give up anything..."

Shivering at the feeling of his hands softly resting on her arms, Trixie gulped. "Oh, Jimmy, I know that." she managed to say. "And don’t worry. I know all you said was out of concern... And it had nothing to do with my decision. It’s just that now I don’t know what to do with my life. You see, I don’t want to settle for second best."

Jim’s heart skipped a beat, when he heard those words. And he wouldn’t lose the chance of knowing. "What is second best to you, Trix?"

She looked confused. "But I just told you... Second best would be chasing this dream without you guys. Leaving all I love behind me, only because I’ve spent half my life wishing for something that I don’t really want anymore!"

Jim finally let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding. "But are you sure you don’t want it?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Yes. Not this way. I even considered Police Academy or the FBI... But you know me. I hate following rules. I guess I’ve had doubts for a long time but I was... Oh, I don’t know... ashamed, afraid... to admit I wasn’t sure."

"It’s ok to have doubts. We would understand, even if you owed any explanation to us. You don’t. The only person to whom you have to explain all that is yourself. We’ll be here for you, no matter what." Jim smiled and winked at her. "But somehow I don’t think giving up on the agency means you’re through with trouble. It will chase you even if you choose to be a librarian!"

"I guess you’re right." she took in a deep breath. "Boy, I feel relieved for letting it all out. Thanks for listening, Jim."

"Thanks for telling me," he answered, smiling.

"Oh, why do we have to grow up? It would be so much easier if we were still kids," she moaned, as they slowly walked across the clearing.

"C’mon, Trix. Do you really believe that?" he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Guess not! But I kinda miss those days."

Jim reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "We all do. But there’s so much ahead of us. Give it time. Maybe fate has some surprises in store for you."

"Maybe..." she smiled at him, feeling her heart at peace, a feeling she hadn’t known in a long time. They both kept silent for a little while after that. But then Jim broke the silent, however hesitant: "I was thinking... I mean I thought about it long ago but I never... Well..."

Trixie threw him an amused glance and said: "C’me on, out with it! Tonight’s the night for revelations. Just say whatever you want."

"It’s just that I don’t want you to think I’m saying this only because you are thinking about giving up on the agency." Jim stopped and turned to face her. "I don’t want you to see this as an alternative... As second best." he added, with an embarrassed smile.

Only then did Trixie understand the relief in his expression after she’d told him what she meant by second best. And she blushed with the thought. "I won’t. What is it, Jim? The suspense is killing me."

"I was wondering if you would like to work with me, in the school. It would be great having you around and I guess that with that Psychology major of yours, you could help the kids that we’ll get here. Some of them will probably be quite messed up." Jim said all this almost without stopping to catch his breath and still found the energy to add: "And who knows what kinds of mysteries they’ll bring along with them? Maybe you’ll become our house detective! And you still could open the agency, if you change your mind."

Trixie didn’t say a word for a few moments. She had no doubts the answer was yes, she would love to work with him. In fact, once she had wondered why he had never asked her. Now she understood: Jim was afraid she might think he was trying to make her give up her dream. And she loved him for being so considerate. But on the other hand she couldn’t help feeling a little bit disappointed. She wished he wouldn’t be so considerate. She wished he would just tell her how he really felt about her, because that suspense was the one that was really killing her.

Jim thought he would burst with expectation until she finally answered: "I would love to, Jim. I would love to work with you."

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