Next Chapter
by Robin
Chapter 1
Twenty-three year old Trixie Belden made her way through the streets of Sleepyside-on- the -Hudson, the town where she spent most of the first 18 years of her life. She was finally returning home after being away for five years. She thought back to the day she left for college. Her best friends Honey Wheeler and Diana Lynch were going to a university closer to home. As much as she wanted to go with them, another part of her knew she needed to head to school in California.
He friends had been surprised and shocked at her decision at first, but then were supportive. One person admitted it was typical of her to just leave.
Trixie took a breath. That comment had come from Honey’s adopted brother, Jim Frayne. As soon as the decision had been made know, Jim tried to tell her she couldn’t go. But she had gone anyway. She didn’t think Jim had a right to tell her what she could and couldn’t do and expect her to change her mind just for him.
After she left, she sent him a couple letters, trying to remain friends, but he never responded. She knew whatever relationship they may have had was no longer possible.
As she turned onto Glen Road, she dreaded the next two weeks. Especially dealing with Jim. Honey had asked her to be the maid of honor in her wedding to Brian, Trixie’s eldest brother. They had gotten engaged the year before when Honey graduated from college. Trixie knew she would just have to deal with the situation because Jim was going to be Brian’s best man.
She pulled into the driveway at Crabapple Farm, her childhood home. As she turned off the engine, the kitchen door opened and Moms came out with her brothers in tow.
"Trixie!" Moms yelled as she climbed out of the jeep.
"Hi, Moms," Trixie said giving her a hug.
"I’ve missed you so much," Mom said holding her tight. "I’m so glad you’re home."
"So am I."
Trixie looked at her brothers. Brian stepped up first. He pulled her into his arms and said, "I’m glad you made it back. I hope this will be more than a visit."
"We’ll see." Brian stepped back and she looked at her almost-twin brother Mart.
"You look good, Mart. Marriage life looks like it agrees with you."
"I think it does." Mart hugged her tightly.
"Am I going to be left out again?" asked her 15-year-old brother, Bobby.
"Never," Trixie said letting go of Mart. She pulled her younger brother close to her. "I’ve missed you Bobby."
"I missed you too."
"Boys, get your sister’s bags and take them to her room," Moms said putting her arm around Trixie.
A short while later, Trixie’s father, Peter Belden, came home from work. Honey and Mart’s wife, Diana, came to the house to join them. They spent hours recalling childhood memories through most of the night. Before Honey left, Trixie promised they would get together the following day.
* * * * *
The next morning, Trixie made her way up the path between the two houses. She realized the patch was not as big as it used to be. She reached the driveway of the Manor House. Her shoulder length hair blew in her face and she pulled it away. As she made her way to the front door, she put her hair in a ponytail. It was then she noticed a jeep parked in the driveway.
I never thought Honey would drive a jeep, Trixie thought. I guess a lot has changed around here.
She moved to the front door. As she was about to knock, the door flew open and someone barreled into her knocking her to the ground. "Sorry," the person said.
Trixie looked up and saw it was Jim. "It’s all right." Trixie got to her feet.
There was an awkward silence. Jim asked, "How have you been?"
"All right. How about yourself?"
"Not bad." Jim looked at his watch. "I need to go."
Trixie nodded her head as Jim walked past her and moved to the jeep. He got in, started the engine and gunned it.
As she watched him go, she could feel her heart hammering in her chest. She knew he was as handsome as the last time she had seen him. Part of her yearned to have his arms around her, but another part told her that would never happen.
"Trixie!"
She turned and saw Honey at the door. She smiled at her best friend. But she saw Honey’s smile falter. Honey asked, "Are you all right?"
"I’m fine," Trixie said and dusted off her clothes.
"What happened?" Honey asked as Trixie stepped inside.
"I slipped."
"No you didn’t," Honey said. "You ran into my brother and he knocked you off your feet."
"I did see Jim," Trixie said trying to downplay the encounter.
"And?"
"And what? We were civil to each other and he left."
"That’s it?"
"That’s it." Trixie looked at Honey. "Now, don’t you get any crazy ideas of playing matchmaker with us."
"I wouldn’t dream of it."
"I mean it. If you so much as try to set something up, I’m gone."
"But the wedding is coming up in a week and a half. You wouldn’t leave me without a maid of honor, would you?"
"Try me."
"Wow," Honey said. "All right. I won’t play matchmaker."
"Good. So, what do you want to do?"
"Let’s go riding. That way we can have girls talk without any interruptions."
"Sounds good to me."
* * * * *
Half an hour later, Trixie and Honey were making their way through the game preserve. As they rode along, they talked about the plans for the wedding.
"Everything is going to be perfect," Honey said. "I can’t believe I’ll soon be Mrs. Brian Belden."
"You two deserve each other," Trixie said. "I can see how much you love him. And how Brian loves you."
"I just can’t believe how fast the wedding is coming."
"You’ll enjoy it."
"So, what are your plans now?" Honey asked. "You didn’t say much about it."
"Well, I have an appointment with Chief Molinson next week."
"Why?"
"I’m possibly going to work at the station for a while."
"I don’t understand."
Trixie looked at Honey. "I was hoping that if you’re still interested that we start preparing to open the agency."
"Really? You still want to have the agency with me?"
"Of course. Who else would I have the agency with?"
"Trixie, when you left, I thought you gave up that dream."
Trixie shook her head. "When I left, I was going to a place that would help me make this come true. That’s why I also took the training with the FBI during the summers. I know we can’t do it right this minute, but if you are still interested we could start making plans."
"Oh, Trixie. I can’t wait. But with all the wedding stuff right now..."
"We can start after your honeymoon."
"That sounds like a plan."
"Good."
"Now, onto juicier topics," Honey said with a smile. "Did you date any cute guys while at school?"
"There were some, but I didn’t spend a lot of time dating. With classes, studying and work, there just wasn’t a lot of time."
"What about the agents at the FBI?"
"I made some friends, but I never dated any of the other agents. It just didn’t seem right." None of them were right because they weren’t Jim, she thought.
She thought about the dates she had gone on. She had a good time, but felt she could only be friends with them since she still loved Jim.
"Hey," Honey said breaking into he thoughts. "What are you thinking?"
"Just how nice it is to be back home," Trixie lied.
"We should head back to the house. I need to get back to have a dress fitting."
"No problem."
"And don’t forget that you have a dress fitting tomorrow."
"I know and I won’t miss it."
"Good. Because I can’t have my best friend miss my wedding."
Trixie smiled for a moment, then it was gone. "Honey, do you think Mart and Di were angry I couldn’t make it back for their wedding?"
"I don’t think they were angry, but disappointed. They knew you couldn’t get away."
"I just feel bad. Mart is my brother and I missed this important day of his life."
"Mart does understand. Besides, you’re here now."
"I guess."
"Come on. We need to get back and clean the tack before Regan gets angry."
"Got it."
* * * * *
The next night, the whole group of Bob-Whites, the semi-secret club they had formed when they were teenagers, was gathered at the lake on the Wheeler’s property.
Trixie sat on the water’s edge watching the others in the water. Mart and Di were on the raft talking while Brian and Honey were in the middle of the lake. Brian had his arms around Honey kissing her. She pushed her sunglasses up on her nose as she looked around. Jim and Dan were at the grill cooking the food.
Being at the lake, Trixie felt out of place with her friends. Their lives had changed in five years. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She began to wonder why she ever came back home.
My life is completely different now, she thought. I’m no longer the young Trixie Belden who stumbled on cases and needed to be rescued. I’ve worked hard to become the detective I am today. I have trained with the FBI. I’ve also been in several situations where I didn’t lose my cool and still caught the culprit. But coming to the lake and being around the others makes me wonder if honey and I can actually get the agency started. Maybe it was wrong for me to even come back. Sleepyside doesn’t mean as much to me as it once did.
"Food’s ready!" Dan yelled.
Trixie sat up and watched everyone return to the beach. She pulled her shorts on and moved over to the table.
"Dig in," Dan said. "There’s plenty of food here."
"The cook sent a lot down for us," Honey said coming over to the table. "She knew this is the first time in a long while we’ve all been together."
"The food might not last for long," Brian said. "Here comes Mart and we all know about his appetite."
"Everyone better grab a plate quick then," Jim said.
They quickly filled their plates and moved to the picnic table. As they ate, they recalled different events from the childhoods. As the others talked, Trixie focused on the food. She felt uncomfortable with everyone together. She knew she was feeling that way because she was close to Jim. She wasn’t sure she was going to be able to get through the following days with all the wedding events planned.
"Trixie."
She looked up and around the table. The others were staring at her. Jim was shaking his head.
"I’m sorry. Did someone say something?"
"Are you all right?" Brian asked. "I called your name three times."
"I’m sorry. My mind was elsewhere."
"That’s okay," Brian said.
"So, what were we talking about?"
"The wedding, of course." Honey smiled.
"Honey said she just received the veil she is to wear with her wedding dress," Di said. "She wants to show it to us after we eat."
"It sounds like you’re excited about it," Trixie said.
"It is the most beautiful veil you will have ever seen," Honey said. "And as soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one for me."
"You make everything beautiful," Brian said giving her a kiss.
"Would you two knock it off," Mart said. "I’m trying to eat."
"You’re always eating," Dan said. They all laughed.
* * * * *
Once they finished eating, Honey hurried to the Manor House to get the veil out to show Trixie and Di. The rest of them gathered the food and supplies and started the trek toward the house.
They were halfway there when they heard a piercing scream.
"That’s Honey," Jim said.
Chapter 2
They dropped what they were carrying and ran up to the Manor House. They followed Jim up the back stairs to Honey’s room. They went into the room and saw Honey sprawled on the floor, unconscious. Celia, the maid, was kneeling beside her.
Brian pushed his way forward and got down beside his fiance’.
"What happened?" Jim asked.
"I don’t know," Celia said getting to her feet. "Honey hurried into the kitchen then came right up here. A moment later I heard her scream."
"She’s fainted," Brian said. "Someone get me a washcloth."
Trixie hurried into the bathroom, soaked a washcloth and returned to Honey’s room. She handed the cloth to Brian and watched as he wiped Honey’s face, then her wrists. After a few minutes, Honey let out a small moan.
"Honey," Brian said, "Open your eyes, Honey."
Honey moaned again and her eyes opened slightly. She softly asked, "What’s going on?"
"You fainted," Brian said placing the washcloth on her forehead.
"I did?"
"Yeah."
"Do you remember what happened?" Jim asked kneeling down on the other side of his sister.
"I was coming up here to get the veil out."
"Then what happened?" Jim asked.
"The box the veil was in was on my dresser when I went down to the lake. But it’s gone now. The veil for my wedding is gone." Honey started crying.
Trixie moved over to the dresser as Brian tried to soothe Honey. She could easily see where the box had been since her two jewelry boxes had been pushed right against the wall. She looked at the floor by the dresser. She saw a piece of paper sticking out from underneath. She picked it up. She unfolded the paper and saw a message scrawled on it.
"The veil is gone and so will your dreams for a perfect wedding."
Trixie quickly folded the note and turned back to the others. Honey was sitting up. Her face was pale. Brian had his arm around her shoulder trying to calm her down.
"Who would want to steal my veil?" Honey asked. "What good would it do someone else?"
"The veil will probably turn up in a few days," Brian said. "You shouldn’t worry about it."
"You don’t understand."
"Honey, I know you’re upset. But I think you need to rest. You’re excited about the wedding."
She looked at Brian. "I guess you’re right. Maybe I’m overreacting. Mother may have moved the veil and put it somewhere."
"We can check on that in the morning when Mother and Dad return," Jim said.
Brian and Jim helped Honey to her feet. She sat down on the bed and looked at the rest of them. "I guess I won’t be showing you my veil."
"That’s all right," Di said. "We should be just as surprised as everyone else."
"Di’s right," Trixie said. "Why don’t you call me in the morning."
"All right."
Trixie followed Mart, Di and Dan out of Honey’s room and down to the kitchen. They sat down and waited for Brian and Jim to join them.
"I can’t understand why someone would take Honey’s veil," Di said.
"Maybe Mrs. Wheeler did move it so it was someplace safe," Mart said.
"I don’t think so," Trixie said.
"What do you mean?" Dan asked.
"I think someone took it on purpose."
Mart groaned. "Can’t you do anything without a mystery?"
"Then you tell me where the veil is." Mart started to speak but Trixie cut him off. "and don’t tell me that Mrs. Wheeler took it. She didn’t."
"How do you know?" a voice asked behind her.
Trixie turned and looked at Jim. He looked angry. She said, "I don’t think your mother moved the veil."
"Trixie, just leave it alone," Jim said. "Honey is stressed out about the wedding and making it perfect. She doesn’t need to be dragged into a mystery with you right now."
"Don’t you care about your sister?"
"Of course I care. Where did you get an idea that I didn’t?"
Trixie got to her feet and stood in front of Jim. "Do you really think your mother would take the veil without telling Honey?"
"You know, it’s just like you to make a mystery out of nothing," Jim snapped. "Why don’t you go back to the FBI and deal with the mysteries there."
Trixie felt as if she had been slapped. She looked in his eyes. "One day you will regret what you just said."
She turned and left the kitchen, heading for Crabapple Farm. She was angry. She couldn’t believe Jim’s attitude. Then she realized she shouldn’t be surprised.
He never really liked the idea of solving mysteries, she thought. He just proved how much. But that doesn’t matter. I am living my life for me, not Jim. He was always trying to keep me from following my instincts. I should have realized there would never be anything between the two of us.
As she entered the house, she heard Moms ask, "Who just came in?"
"It’s me, Moms." Trixie stepped toward the living room. She saw her father was sitting in the recliner reading the newspaper and Moms was sitting on the couch.
"You’re home early," Moms said. "Are you all right?"
"I’m fine. Just tired."
"If you’re sure?"
"I’m sure. Good-night Moms. Night Dad."
"Night," Moms said.
Trixie went up to her room. She closed the door and leaned against it. She wondered why she ever came back to Sleepyside. She knew she needed to get out of there. There was nothing there for her anymore. She pulled her suitcases out of her closet and set them on the bed. She grabbed her clothes and started to pack.
Coming back to Sleepyside was a mistake, she thought. I may have grown up here, but I don’t belong here now. I should have stuck with the FBI.
As she grabbed more clothes, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," she said as she moved back to the bed.
She heard the door open and turned to see Brian coming in. He closed the door behind him. "Trix, I need to talk to you."
Trixie looked closely at her brother. His face was pale. "What is it?"
He pushed the suitcases back on the bed and sat down. He looked at her. "What I tell you now, you have to keep it to yourself. You can’t even tell Honey."
"What is it, Brian? What’s wrong?" She grabbed the desk chair, turned it around and faced her brother.
"I have a feeling I may regret this, but I need your help."
Trixie stared at Brian. She had never seen him so worried. "Tell me what I can do."
"I’m worried about Honey."
Trixie had a feeling her brother was keeping something from her. She decided to be straightforward. "This wasn’t the first incident, was it?"
Brian looked up quickly. "How did you know?"
Trixie pulled the paper out of her pocket. "I found this on the floor by Honey’s dresser." She handed the paper to Brian. "I don’t think Mrs. Wheeler took the veil."
She watched Brian’s face as he read the note. His face turned white. He swallowed a couple times before looking at her.
"Brian, tell me what’s going on."
"This started about three months ago. Honey went to get the cards that will be used as place settings. When she came out to her car, there was a note under the windshield."
"Do you know what the note said?"
"Something about the perfect wedding not happening. It was about the same as this one." Brian fingered the note in his hand. "Honey didn’t think much of it at first. But she was taking some information into town for some reason when she found a package on the hood of her car. It was a box of roses. They were all dead. The note said the roses would wilt so she wouldn’t have her perfect wedding."
"Who would want to ruin Honey‘s wedding? It doesn’t make sense."
"I agree. Honey has tried to be strong and keep going. But with the veil missing, it’s pushed her over the edge." Brian got to his feet and started pacing. "I think if things keep going this way, Honey may call off the wedding."
Trixie stared at her brother shocked. She didn’t think Honey would do that.
"Trix, I hate to ask, but you need to figure this out. Honey can’t take much more."
Trixie stayed quiet for a moment. She knew she had to help her brother and best friend. "I’ll do what I can."
"Thank you, Trix," Brian said and gave her a hug. "I feel a little better knowing you’re involved now."
"I’m glad I can help."
"Hopefully this can be figured out soon. The wedding is only 10 days away."
"I’ll figure this out."
"Good." Brian let go of Trixie and finally noticed her suitcases. "Were you going somewhere?"
"I was."
"Why? Because of your little ‘conversation’ with Jim?"
Trixie shook her head. "No. But don’t worry about it. I’m here now and that’s all that matters."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"I’m fine, so don’t worry about me."
"All right." Brian looked at his watch. "It’s late and I have to work in the morning."
"Good-night, Brian. And don’t worry. Everything will be all right."
"Thanks, Trix. Good-night."
Brian left her room closing the door behind him. Trixie looked at her half filled suitcases. She mumbled, "I guess I can unpack again."
Chapter 3
The next morning, Trixie made her way up to the Manor House to see Honey. She knew she had to find a way to help her friend. But at the same time she had to keep Honey in the dark about Brian’s request.
She reached the front door and was greeted by Miss Trask, who ran the house when the Wheeler’s were away. Miss Trask sent her right up to Honey’s room. Trixie knocked on the closed door.
"Come in," a voice said softly.
Trixie opened the door and stepped in. She saw Honey sitting on her bed holding a pillow to her chest. Her face was pale even though her cheeks were red.
"What’s wrong?" Trixie closed the door and hurried over to Honey’s bed. "Did something happen?"
"I’m sorry," Honey said wiping her eyes. "I just didn’t get much sleep last night."
Trixie sat on the bed facing her. "Were you having nightmares?"
"How did you know?"
"Come on, we’ve been best friends for almost 10 years. And I remember you telling me that when you came to Sleepyside you had nightmares. I figured after yesterday you had one."
"I just can’t believe this is happening."
"Why don’t you tell me. I have a feeling the veil was purposely taken."
"What do you mean?"
Trixie pulled the note out of her pocket and handed it to Honey. She said, "I found this on the floor by your dresser."
She watched Honey unfold the note and read it. Honey closed her eyes and dropped it to the bed. Trixie said softly, "Tell me what’s going on."
Honey opened her eyes. "What I tell you has to be kept between us. Brian can’t know."
"Why not?"
"He’s working a lot of hours so we can have a long honeymoon. I don’t want him to worry unnecessarily."
"I won’t say anything."
Honey explained about the note she found on her car and the box of dead roses. But there were more incidents. Her car had been egged when she had gone to the library to do some research. Another note was found under the windshield wiper saying the food wouldn’t be there for the perfect wedding.
Trixie saw Honey was scared.
"I’ve been having other people go on errands for me," Honey said. "I’m scared of what will happen next."
"Do you have any idea why this is being done?" Trixie asked.
"None."
"I think you should tell Brian about all this. He has a right to know."
"If I tell him, he might want to call off the wedding."
"Brian wouldn’t do that. He loves you too much." She took Honey’s hands in hers. "Listen, in nine days, you two will become husband and wife. You need to be honest with each other."
"Trixie, I don’t want to scare him for no reason."
She looked at her best friend. "What do you want to do about this, Honey?"
Honey gave Trixie a small smile. "Let’s find this person so I can have a perfect wedding."
"All right," Trixie said. "Why don’t you get cleaned up. I’ll go down and see if cook will fix you something to eat. Then we’ll come up with a game plan."
"Sounds good to me."
* * * * *
Hours later, Trixie had her jeep parked down the street from the seamstresses office where Honey was having a fitting for her gown. From her position, she could easily see Honey’s car.
She had been sitting there for about 15 minutes waiting for something to happen. They agreed that Trixie would watch Honey’s car while she did errands hoping to lure out whoever was driving Honey crazy.
Why would someone do this to Honey, Trixie wondered. It doesn’t make sense. I could understand these acts if Honey had hurt someone, but she’s nice to everyone.
Trixie watched a van stop in traffic, blocking her view of Honey’s car. The van pulled away a few minutes later.
Forty-five minutes later, Trixie watched Honey step out of the building. She moved to her car and stopped in her tracks. Trixie could see she was upset. Climbing out of her jeep, she hurried to Honey. The closer she got, she saw the paler Honey’s face was.
"What is it?" Trixie asked sliding to a stop.
Honey handed her a note with a shaking hand. Trixie took the note and read it.
"Without a groom, there won’t be a perfect wedding."
To be continued