*mild profanity

Disclaimer: Okay, let’s see if I remember the drill correctly. These characters aren’t mine. I’m not making any money off of them, nor am I using them for any other sort of personal gain. In fact, they’re probably taking up way too much of my time. I’m only borrowing them for a bit in the hopes of scratching that strange writer’s itch I’ve been having recently and to perhaps provide entertainment for my friends for a short while.

Author’s Note: I’ve taken some artistic license with a couple of things in this story. I’m not sure what time of year certain constellations are visible and at what time of night, but I’ve arranged them to suit my needs. Also, a special thanks to Shana for all her proofreading and encouragement. J

Sacrifice

by Andromeda

 

Chapter 1

"Hurry up! What time is it?" demanded Trixie Belden.

"Don’t rush me, we’ve got plenty of time. The movie won’t get out for a good while yet," answered her brother, Mart. He was presiding over the food preparations, while Trixie set the table. Diana Lynch was calmly preparing a salad beside Mart while Jim Frayne and Dan Mangan were working on the makeshift sound system they had brought down to the dock.

The young people, along with Mart and Trixie’s older brother Brian and Jim’s adopted sister Honey, were part of a semi-secret club called the Bob-Whites of the Glen. Their purpose was to help others in need and Trixie’s natural ability to find and solve mysteries often led them on some exciting adventures. This evening, the five friends were making a surprise candlelight dinner for Jim’s sister, Honey, at Brian Belden’s request.

"I love Casablanca and I think it’s great that they’re re-releasing it on the big screen. It’s so sad and romantic, the way that Rick and Ilsa’s relationship ends," sighed Di. "And I never tire of looking at Humphrey Bogart either."

"Here’s looking at you, kid," said Mart, trying to do his best Bogie impression. Di and Trixie dissolved into a fit of giggles. Mart stalked over to Di in mock anger which set her off again. Finally, he just got tired of it and grabbed Di, spun her around, and began kissing her.

Trixie unconsciously looked over at Jim. He was staring intently at her, and there was something she couldn’t identify in his eyes. As they stared at one another, Trixie felt her chest tighten and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. From far off, she heard Dan discreetly clearing his throat. Breaking the spell, she realized ruefully that that was one mystery she didn’t want to delve into today. Grateful to Dan now, Trixie glanced over at Mart and Di who were still lip-locked, and then rolled her eyes at Dan. He grinned and rolled his in return, then went back to the myriad of wires strewn before him. Trixie turned to look at Jim, only to discover that he had turned away and was now standing tensely on the dock, gazing up at the beginnings of the sunset. She quickly went back to work preparing the table. After a moment, Mart and Diana broke apart and, with flush stained cheeks, returned to their work.

"Gleeps! I forgot the glasses!" wailed Trixie a moment later.

"Fear not, fair lady. Your knight in shining armor will rescue you. Come on, Trix. We’ll ride Jupiter back to the house and you can grab some glasses from Cook."

Trixie looked at Jim in surprise. He seems to have gotten over whatever was eating at him she thought. "Thanks Jim. Front or back?"

"You ride in front. Jupe’s frisky tonight and I’ll be able to make sure he doesn’t dump you if you’re in front."

Trixie nodded her head and allowed Jim to help her up onto Jupiter’s back. A moment later, Jim slid onto the horse behind her. Trixie sucked in her breath at the sudden contact between them. It felt so strange to be this near to Jim again - strange, but so nice and …something else she couldn’t identify. Jim leaned into her back to check the reigns and his cheek rubbed against hers briefly. This was a mistake she thought and immediately tensed up, seeking a way to avoid touching Jim - impossible now that they were on the big horse.

Jim noticed immediately how good it felt to be able to put his arms around Trixie, almost enveloping her. It had been a long time since they had been this close. This is how I always want to feel he thought to himself. He used the excuse of checking the reigns to lean farther into her and smell the fragrance of her short blond curls and rub his cheek against the smooth softness of her skin. All of a sudden he felt Trixie tense up and noticed she was trying to avoid touching him. His heart hurt a little at this, but he didn’t know how to ask her what was going on. With sad eyes, he attempted a jaunty salute to Dan, Mart, and Di and wheeled Jupiter around, heading for the Manor House.

The three left on the dock had been watching the drama in front of them and noticed how sad both of the riders had looked - and how breathtaking they had looked together literally riding Jupiter, "off into the sunset". With silent shrugs and private thoughts, they turned back to their work.

*     *     * 

The ride back to the Wheelers' house seemed eternal to both Trixie and Jim. Neither could think of what to say to the other, and an anxious silence had settled between them. Finally, in desperation to break the silence, Jim asked Trixie if the Belden clan had received his invitation to graduation. Impossible as it seemed to Jim, Trixie became even more tense.

"Yes, we did thank you," she replied softly.

"I know that you guys will be there for Brian anyway, but I just wanted your family…"

Trixie cut him off. "Yes, Moms and Dad were very pleased to get it, thank you."

They had reached the Manor house by this time, and before he could move to help her, Trixie slid smoothly off of the horse and raced towards the house calling, "Thanks for the ride, Jim. Don’t wait on me, I’ll get Regan to saddle Susie or Lady for me. They need to be exercised anyway." And with that she was inside, leaving Jim to wonder exactly what had just happened.

When Trixie came back out a few minutes later, she cautiously peered out the door to make sure Jim hadn’t waited on her and then headed for the stables with a sigh of relief. Regan met her outside, with Susie saddled and ready to go. She looked up at him in surprise.

"Jim asked me to saddle a horse for you right before he took off," Regan explained. "Looked like the devil was hard on his heels, the way he rode out of here. You wouldn’t happen to know of anything that was bothering Jim, would you?" Regan asked in his casual way.

"Uh, no. Sure wouldn’t. Thanks for saddling Susie for me."

"Natch."

Afraid to look back at Regan, Trixie too raced off into the twilight. "Looks like the same devil on both their heels." Regan commented to no one in particular.

*     *     * 

When Trixie arrived back at the boat house, Mart, Dan, and Diana had just about finished the dinner preparations.

"Ah, the lost has been found!" Mart exclaimed as he caught sight of her. "We were just about to send out a search party for you - we needed the glasses, you see." The last part of Mart’s statement was directed at Dan who frowned and shook his head at Mart.

Too distracted to take notice of either the barb or Mart’s baiting her, Trixie mumbled "hello" and went to finish setting the table and hanging the paper lanterns around the dock. Dan, Diana, and Mart exchanged worried glances, then Dan gently asked, "Hey, Trix? Where’d Jim get off to?"

They saw her back stiffen as she went completely still. "I don’t know, really. He dropped me off and that’s the last I saw of him." With that, she went back to working.

When all the preparations had been finished, the four stood back, admiring their handiwork. "Oh, Honey will love it! I’m so excited for Brian and Honey. I wonder what’s so special about tonight?" gushed Diana.

"I have a feeling that tonight will be a huge turning point in Honey and Brian’s relationship," said Jim as he walked Jupiter up to the edge of the boathouse. "And I have a feeling that we will all learn about it soon enough. In the meantime, they’re on their way back here so we need to make ourselves scare."

"How do you know they’re on their way back?" Trixie demanded.

A faint smile played on the corner of Jim’s mouth. "Because Brian just called me to tell me they’re on their way back and to make sure everything was set up. Satisfied? So scoot guys, they don’t want to find us here. Trixie, I need to talk to you, would you please ride out with me?" Seeing her hesitate, he added, "At least long enough to give Susie some exercise - I know she needs it."

Nervous, yet intrigued and realizing that he was right about Susie, Trixie nodded and climbed onto Susie’s back. "Lead on," she told Jim quietly and with a backwards wave they rode off towards the Wheeler’s game preserve. The other Bob-Whites settled on watching a movie at Diana’s house and also made themselves scarce.

 

Chapter 2

Jim and Trixie rode for quite some time before coming to an open clearing in the preserve. In the starlight, Trixie could see that Jim had set out a blanket, a cooler of sodas, and an overflowing picnic basket. For a moment, she felt tears threaten at his sweet gesture and then became unbearably conscious of the tightness in her chest. Pasting a smile on her face, she blinked them away and gaily hopped down to tie Susie’s reigns to a low-hanging branch.

"My goodness! You’ve been busy, haven’t you? What a surprise this is - and such a sweet gesture, too. Why don’t I just unpack the hamper. Get a soda out for me, would…"

"Stop it, Trixie. We have to talk. You need to understand how I feel about-" Jim cut her off quietly, but she could hear the pain in his voice. Not knowing how to deal with the situation, she continued, adding even more false gaiety to her own voice.

"I don’t see how you carried this hamper out here - it must weigh a ton at least! Oh, and you packed…" This time Trixie was cut off by Jim’s arms spinning her around and his lips silencing hers. At first it was a harsh kiss, but then Jim’s lips softened, and he began to rub her back, easing the tension out of her. As she relaxed, Trixie realized that she was holding on to his shirt for dear life. She also realized that she had begun to cry somewhere along the way. When Jim noticed she was crying, he began trying to soothe her, kissing her tears away. Slowly, he maneuvered them over to the blanket spread out on the grass and held her as she cried.

"Hush, love. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out." She began to cry harder at Jim’s words. Bewildered at Trixie’s tears, he held her tighter and began to rock her gently.

After a time, the storm of tears passed and a gurgling giggle emerged from Trixie, her head buried in Jim’s chest. Slowly Trixie raised her head and with a hopeful expression in her watery blue eyes asked, "I don’t suppose that you packed any tissues in that suitcase of food you brought?"

Jim slowly smiled and shook his head no. "However, I do believe I packed some paper napkins. Will that do?" Trixie nodded up at him and started to push out of his arms. He tightened one arm around her and with the other deftly maneuvered the basket around so he could search for a napkin. After she had wiped her eyes and blown her nose, Jim quietly said, "We need to talk Trixie, about the future and about our future."

"Don’t let's talk about it, please Jim. Not now, I’m just not ready."

"When do you think you will be ready, Trix?" Jim asked impatiently. "I’ve wanted to talk about it since the summer you and Honey found me. I’m going off to college with Brian in the fall and who knows where you’ll be when you graduate…" Seeing tears threatening again, Jim stopped. "Alright, not now. But we do have to talk, Trixie. Sometime soon."

"I know. Let’s just enjoy the picnic and the stars tonight, okay?" Just once more can’t hurt, can it? Once more she promised herself as she located Orion and followed him to Taurus and so on around the sky. Coming to the constellation Andromeda, Trixie smiled a watery smile and blinked fresh tears from her eyes. Sometimes the sacrifice is worth it in the end.

*     *     * 

On the Wheelers' boat dock, not far away, Brian and Honey were gazing at the stars in each other’s eyes, their food as yet untouched.

"You know, Honey," Brian began softly, "when I’m with you, I’m the happiest guy alive. Worry and fear are banished - and your hazel eyes rule the world."

Honey blushed fiercely in the twilight and lowered her head so that her hair hid her face. "I’m happy when I’m with you too, Brian. I don’t know how it happened, but it’s gotten to the point where sometimes I just need to see you, for no reason but it makes me happy."

Brian laughed softly and Honey’s head popped up, curiosity in her eyes. "Well, how fortuitous that we’re both so ‘happy together’." Honey groaned and rolled her eyes at his pun, then promptly pointed out that he was beginning to sound like Mart with his big words. "Perish the thought!" he replied. Releasing her hand, he reached for the serving dishes. "Why don’t we eat before this feast goes to waste." He suggested.

"Wherever did you get all this food on such short notice?" Honey inquired.

Grinning, Brian told her, "Why, our fellow Bob-Whites graciously agreed to cook for our moonlight dinner this evening, Miss Wheeler."

Honey cocked an eyebrow at him and slow Mona Lisa smile appeared on her lips. "You are a wonder, Mr. Belden."

*     *     * 

Over at the Lynch residence, Mart, Diana, and Dan were busily munching on a bowl of salted popcorn and watching a Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis movie. As the movie ended and Diana got up to turn the television off, the conversation turned towards what could possibly be happening between Brian and Honey on the dock.

"Honestly, Mart, don’t you have any idea what was so special about tonight?" Di pestered him.

"No, honestly I don’t. Brian refused to give me any details and just grinned when I pressed. Even Trixie couldn’t get anything out of him."

"Wow, he was being really closed-mouthed if Trix couldn’t get him to confess!"

"My thinking was just that this would be their last opportunity for a really nice date before the graduation craziness started." Dan added. "But, you’re right, it’s amazing that Trixie couldn’t get anything out of him. I’m surprised she didn’t insist on cornering him tonight at the dock to find out. Although," Dan mused "she seemed to be rather preoccupied this evening."

"As did our other Co-president. I wonder was so urgent that he had to talk to Trixie about. Di, has she said anything to you recently?"

"Not a word. In fact, she’s been unusually quiet the last couple of weeks."

"I get the feeling both Trixie and Jim are wrestling with some big issues right now," Dan said. "I don’t know if you guys have noticed, but Trixie has been missing quite a few lunches too."

"Yeah, I had noticed the absence of my female sibling at our regular gastronomic--"

"Mart." Diana said his name softly, but with a warning inflection in her voice. Dan smiled to himself. Diana had finally gotten tired of Mart’s superiority complex and had laid down the law. He had gotten much better about his vocabulary since then.

Mart cleared his throat and started over. "I also noticed she’d been missing for lunch several times these last couple of weeks. She says she’s studying extra hard for her exams, and I have seen her in the library during those times, but I don’t think that’s the sole reason she’s missing."

"Neither do I," Di added.

"Well, one thing’s for sure. We’re not going to solve the mysteries of Trixie’s mind tonight. I’ve got to be up early to patrol if I’m going to make it to the swimming party by lunch tomorrow." Dan got up to leave and Mart and Diana followed him to the porch. "Shall I wait over here for you, Mart, or are you staying?"

"No, I’m going too, but do make yourself scarce for a moment so that I may big my fair lady a proper good evening." Dan turned away, and Mart swooped down on Di for a parting kiss.

*     *     * 

Jim looked at Trixie’s profile in the moonlight and marveled at how beautiful she’d become. The short, sturdy girl of thirteen he’d met so long ago had grown into a beautiful woman. She was still on the short side, but the years since had given her a curvy and surprisingly graceful form. He then noticed how thin she’d begun to look in the last month or so. Glancing at her almost full plate, he said, "You haven’t eaten much, Trix."

"I’m just not very hungry, thanks Jim. I ate a huge dinner earlier."

"You ate half a sandwich, Trixie," Jim said quietly. He held up his hand before she could ask the inevitable question. "I asked Mart if you had eaten and he told me. I’m worried about you. You’ve been skipping lunches and you’re losing a lot of weight."

"I just haven’t had much of an appetite, that’s all. Besides, a little weight loss will do me good and I’m using the lunch hour to get some extra studying done in the library. I thought you guys would all be glad I’m not running to you with my math woes."

"First of all, you’re beautiful and I don’t think you need to lose weight - there is such a thing as too skinny. Secondly, I never mind helping you with anything, Trix. You’re my girl and I want to be able to help you whenever I can." Trying once more to get through to her he said, "Like now. I’d like to be able to help you with whatever is bothering you."

She gave him a sad smile and turned away to clean up the remnants of the picnic. "Thanks, Jim, but this isn’t something you can help me with, okay?"

"Alright," said Jim, realizing that the subject was closed for the evening. Trying another topic of conversation, he said, " What time shall I pick you up Friday night?"

"Friday night?"

"Friday… Brian and I graduate and then that night we’re going to the dance that my Mom and Dad are throwing for us at the Manor House. Remember? What time should I pick you up?"

"Oh." Trixie stopped and bit her lip. Now how do I get out of this one? I completely forgot about the dance. Continuing with the clean-up she said, "You don’t have to pick me up, Jim. You’ll be up there anyway and that would be silly for you to get me and then go back. I’ll walk over with Mart and Brian."

Frustrated now, Jim said, "First of all, Brian and Mart are picking Honey and Di up early and going to dinner. Secondly, you’re my girlfriend and I want to pick you up," he finished rather forcefully. Seeing Trixie’s startled gaze, he added, "It would make me happy, Trix. I’d like to take you to dinner beforehand as well, if that’s okay."

Why does this have to hurt? Trixie asked herself. Just a little longer and it will go away. It has to go away… She nodded to him in silent agreement and then went to pack up Susie’s saddlebags. She felt more than heard Jim’s approach behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her for just a second, then turned her around to face him. Opening his mouth to say something he stopped and cupped her face in his hands. Trixie felt her willpower drain away and her eyes drifted shut as he lowered his lips to hers for a kiss. Sweet, gentle, and full of longing - the kiss told Trixie much of Jim’s pain and confusion. "I’m sorry," she whispered as she turned to mount Susie. Jim finished loading Jupiter’s saddlebags and also mounted up.

"Don’t be." He paused. "I love you." With that, he turned Jupiter’s head and led the way back to the stables.

*     *     * 

Honey and Brian had long ago finished their meal and were sitting quietly, holding hands on the edge of the dock. After a while, Brian stirred and stood up, crossing to his BWG jacket hanging from a deck chair.

"Time to go already?" Honey asked in a surprised voice.

Grinning, Brian turned back to her. "Not at all, Miss Wheeler. Time for your surprise." Having gotten something from the pocket inside his jacket, he palmed it and returned to her side.

"A surprise? Oh, Brian! What is it?"

"Well, if I tell you, then it won’t be a surprise when I give it to you. Elementary my dear Watson."

"Brian Belden, if you don’t tell me right now, I’ll simply die!"

He laughed good-naturedly and took out a small, brightly wrapped box. "Well, in the interest of saving your life, here it is. But you have to let me talk first, agreed?" Honey nodded. "Alright. Miss Madeleine Wheeler, I respect you, admire you, treasure your friendship, and am addicted to your company. Now open the box, but don’t say anything until I finish talking."

Honey slowly unwrapped the package and discovered a small jewelers box inside. Nestled in velvet was a beautiful golden chain necklace. On the chain was a heart pendant engraved with "Honey and Brian". Honey gasped in delight, but quickly shut her mouth as Brian cocked an eyebrow at her. Mutely she handed him the necklace. As he was fastening it around her neck, he continued. "I’m going away to college in the fall, but I don’t want that to be the end of our relationship. This necklace is representative of all of the feelings I hold for you. However, there’s one more thing I haven’t told you." He paused and took a deep breath. "I also happen to be in love with you, Honey."

"Oh Brian!" Honey fairly shrieked as she turned back to him and threw her arms around him. "Oh, it’s beautiful and I love you as well. How much more perfect could this night be?"

Laughing softly, Brian wound his arms around Honey and kissed her. "You and I together in the moonlight and in love? I don’t see how it could be more perfect."

 

Chapter 3

Despite being up fairly late, and getting almost no sleep the night before, Trixie was up early the next morning. The day hadn’t even begun to dawn when Trixie went outside to begin her daily chore of gathering the eggs. When her basket was full, she started back to the house, and stopped in her tracks as the sun began to peek over the clouds. She watched as the first hints of pale pink gave way to the other colors of the spectrum and filled the sky in beautiful shades of dark pink, yellow, and orange. Transfixed by the beauty of the moment, Trixie was startled when her younger brother, Bobby, took her hand as he too came to watch the sun claim another day. Smiling at one another, the siblings shared the moment in silent awe.

"You alright, Trixie?" Bobby asked with a worried frown on his face after the sun had finished its ascent.

"I’m fine, Bobby, I was just caught in the moment. What are you doing up so early?"

"I wanted to watch the sunrise too. Sometimes I think that the sun calls to me so that I can watch it rise in the mornings. Do you think that’s silly?"

"No, lamb, I don’t. In fact, I think the sun called me to watch it rise this morning too." With a quick tousle of his hair, she grabbed his hand and led him back inside the house. "What say you and I cook up some breakfast?"

"Sounds good, I’m hungry!"

Trixie laughed at his tone, so much like Mart’s now that he had grown out of his "baby" stage. He was already well on his way to eating and sounding like Mart, but had also inherited Brian’s seriousness at times. "Well then, Master Belden, what would you suggest we cook this morning? Bacon and eggs?"

"And toast and hash browns," added Mart, coming down the stairs. "I am famished and will waste away to nothing. Oh please sweet Beatrix, hurry before I faint from my hunger!" Mart added a melodramatic faint for effect. However, at that moment Bobby let Reddy, the Beldens' Irish Setter, into the house and Reddy made straight for Mart’s legs. Mart, caught off balance by Reddy’s attention, grabbed onto the counter, but not in time. Mart and Reddy landed in a tangled mess on the floor and Bobby launched himself at his older brother for an impromptu wrestling match.

"Alright, you guys…" Trixie began before also being pulled to the floor of the kitchen. A mock tousle ensued with Reddy being declared the winner. Laughing, the three picked themselves up off of the floor. Trixie menacingly waved a spatula in Mart and Bobby’s general direction. "Why don’t you guys get an early start on the yard work since it’s so cool right now and I will cook up a feast for you."

Bobby and Mart looked at each other dubiously and then back at Trixie. "Bacon and eggs, and toast and hash browns?" Bobby asked. At Trixie’s nod, the brothers were out the door in a flash. Turning to the counter, she began to hum as she prepared breakfast. A moment later she let out a scream as two hands landed on her shoulders. Spinning around, she found Brian grinning down at her.

"Don’t do that!"

"Sorry, I thought you heard me come down. Thanks for making Honey and I dinner last night, Trixie. It was really good," he said as he poured himself a glass of orange juice.

"I’m glad, Brian. Did you two have a good time at the movies?" Trixie managed to keep herself from out-and-out interrogating Brian about the night before, but she was dying of curiosity. Noticing his sister’s restraint, he decided to tease her.

Casually, he strolled over to the sliding glass door, "Yes, we did. I think Honey really liked the gift I gave her as well. Gee, I guess I’d better get to my lawn work early too if we’re going to make our BWG meeting by lunch-time, huh?" And with that, Brian stepped out the door.

"Brian!" But Brian was already gone.

Once again turning back to the stove, Trixie realized two things simultaneously. One that she would have to wait until lunch to find out what his brother had given Honey and two, that she would be expected to spend the whole afternoon lounging in the sun and playing with her friends - and with Jim. Somehow she would have to act as though nothing was the matter, as though her heart wasn’t breaking into millions of pieces. Hearts don’t break she told herself, they just bruise. The whole afternoon would be a true test of her acting skills. With a wry grin to herself, she thought Now I wish I’d taken some of those theatre classes at school.

*     *     * 

Later that morning, Mrs. Belden came upon an interesting site in her living room. Trixie was dusting a picture, which in itself was not unusual. What was unusual was that Trixie had been dusting that same picture for 10 solid minutes. "Something on your mind, dear?" Startled, Trixie jumped and banged her shin into the coffee table. Giving up, she sat down heavily on the couch.

"Oh, Moms, why does everyone feel the need to sneak up on me today?" she asked with a grin.

"Probably because, you’re completely out of it, dear. You’ve been dusting that same picture for ten minutes now. Anything you want to talk about? I’m a good listener, you know."

Trixie cocked her head to the side and thought for a minute. Then she slid over on the couch and patted the seat beside her. "I do actually want to ask you a question. But it’s kind of a hard one to ask."

"Well, just plunge right in and ask. I’ll do my best to try and answer it."

"It’s just that…well…" Stopping, Trixie searched for just the right words to use. Finally, taking a deep breath, she asked, "How did you know when you were in love with Dad?"

Mrs. Belden leaned back on the couch to think, not at all surprised by her daughter’s question. "I’m not really sure that there was ever a time when I suddenly realized I was in love with your father. It was a gradual building of feelings until I just knew."

Quietly, Trixie asked, "What were the feelings?"

"Oh, the desire to be with him and see him all the time, how much fun we had together, knowing that I wanted the best things for him, and realizing that I didn’t mind the sacrifices we had to make to be together…" Mrs. Belden went on listing things, but Trixie wasn’t listening anymore.

Sacrifice…I love Jim…

Yes.

Mrs. Belden had finished speaking and was watching the strange play of emotions on Trixie’s face – realization, pain, fear, resolve, confirmation – and wondering what was going through her mind. However, she knew better than to ask when her daughter was this deep in thought. Presently Trixie resurfaced and shook her head with a rueful smile. "Well, I guess I’d better get back to work, thanks for sharing that with me, Moms."

Mrs. Belden leaned over and hugged Trixie, "You’ve been so good about your chores and so studious lately. Your father and I are very proud of you, you know. For your detective work as well, even if we’re not always happy with the means by which you solve things. Why don’t you take off to your swimming party early today. I have a feeling you and Honey will need to have some time to talk before everyone else arrives."

"Gleeps, Moms! You’re the best, thanks!" Mrs. Belden smiled as she watched Trixie race up the stairs to grab her suit and. Such a smart girl, but when will she realize? With a sigh, Mrs. Belden got up to return to her housework.

 

Chapter 4

Ten minutes later, Trixie was racing up the path from Crabapple Farm to the Wheeler’s lake. Oh, I can’t wait to find out what happened last night! "Honey! Honey!"

Rounding the corner of the boathouse, Trixie collided with Honey. With the wind knocked out of them, both girls lay on the grass trying to catch their breath. After a minute of gasping for air, Honey began to giggle and soon Trixie joined her. Finally, Honey caught her breath. "Oh Trixie! I thought someone was dead with the way you were screaming. Then I started to run and help you …" Looking at themselves on the ground the girls began to giggle again.

"Oh, no! I was just so excited because Moms let me off duty early today and I couldn’t wait to talk to you. I’m just dying to know what happened last night."

Honey sat up and, reaching under the collar of her shirt, she pulled out the necklace Brian had given her. At Trixie’s gasp, Honey told her about the conversation that had transpired the night before. "He told me he loved me and that this necklace was a token of his love and admiration. Neither of us wants this relationship to end when he goes to college and I know I love him and…Trixie! You’re crying!"

Swallowing the lump of pain that threatened to choke her, Trixie shook her head and gave Honey a watery smile. "I’m not really. I’m just so happy for you guys! I’m glad to know that you love each other." The two girls threw their arms around each other. "Just think, Honey! Someday you’ll be my sister-in-law!"

"Well not for years if it happens, anyway." Honey laughed. "After all, we just discovered we loved each other last night."

Trixie shook her head emphatically, "You will. Trust me on this one. Someday you will be married to Dr. Brian Belden -- Honey Belden." Honey’s cheeks began to turn pink in embarrassment, and Trixie realized that she had pried enough for now. "We’d better go for a swim to get some of this grass off of us before the boys see us. Otherwise Mart will never let me live it down." Still wiping tears of laughter and joy from her eyes, Honey nodded and the girls went to change in the boathouse.

*     *     *

"Where’s my lunch, squaw?" Mart’s voice roared out over the lake. "We menfolk have been slaving away under the hot sun and need sustenance."

On the raft in the middle of the lake, Trixie and Honey rolled their eyes at one another. "Careful, Mart," Trixie warned "Honey is barbecuing today and she may not take kindly to being called ‘squaw’ you know."

"I was referring to you as squaw, not the fabulous Miss Wheeler. She is a woman to whom I would give my heart, nay my very soul, in exchange for just one of her succulent hamburgers. A woman of both grace and beauty to whom I would--" Mart stopped, seeing Brian take a step towards him in mock anger.

"Watch it, Mart." Brian said playfully. Hearing Brian’s voice and seeing him wave, Honey quickly dove off of the raft and swam back to the boathouse. By the time she made it over, Brian had a fluffy beach towel waiting for her. He enveloped her in both the towel and a huge hug before greeting her with a kiss. Trixie watched all of this from her position on the raft. The are so perfect together she thought. Brian has grown into a very handsome man and Honey is well on her way to becoming a very beautiful woman. Ruefully she looked down at herself, sighed, and began to swim back to help with lunch.

Jim pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against and stepped out into the sun. As he watched Trixie swim back he wrestled with his thoughts. What is wrong and why won’t she talk to me? He didn’t want to force a confrontation with her, but he’d be darned if he was going to leave their relationship in this limbo for very long. Brian took Honey out to dinner and declared his love for her by the light of the stars. I told Trixie I love her, got on a horse, and rode away. Smooth, Frayne, really smooth…Shaking his head he moved to the grill where lunch preparations were underway.

Celia, the Wheelers' maid, and Tom, her husband and the Wheelers' chauffeur, had arrived with the food by the time Trixie made it back to the dock. She slipped into her swimsuit cover-up and went to help as well. As she was fighting with the tie on the cover-up, she suddenly hit something hard and unyielding-and warm. Trixie gasped and reeled, nearly falling from the impact. A pair of strong, well-muscled arms grabbed her shoulders to steady her. "Hey, Trix, are you alright? I was in such a hurry to get here that I wasn’t looking. Sorry."

Smiling now, Trixie looked up into the worried eyes of Dan Mangan. "I’m all right Dan. I wasn’t looking where I was going either. No harm done." Dan slipped a companionable arm around her shoulders as they joined the others. Brian, working to light to charcoal with Jim, noticed his friend suddenly stop. Brian followed Jim’s gaze to Trixie and Dan with their arms around each other. There was so much emotion in that look that Brian was both wary and embarrassed to have seen it. He lightly touched Jim’s arm. Startled, Jim looked back at Brian, then quickly turned back to the charcoal. Brian glanced at Trixie and Dan, and then looked back at Jim’s grim face. As he bent to tend the coals, he caught the end of Trixie and Dan’s exchange. "Why were you in such a hurry though?"

Overhearing this, Mart groaned aloud. "Really, Beatrix, must you turn everything into a mystery? Dan was probably just trying to finish up patrolling the game preserve for Mr. Maypenny. Right, Dan?"

Before Dan could open his mouth to reply, Trixie replied, "You’re probably right, Mart. Sorry for prying, Dan." With that, she entered the changing room of the boathouse. The others stood around in various states of incredulity.

While the others were outside trying to understand her sudden departure, Trixie was changing into her clothes and fighting tears. "I will not cry, I will not cry," she muttered repeatedly. Trixie had seen Jim’s look of anger when she joined the group and knew she was the cause of it. I’m always doing or saying something wrong. Then I hurt someone’s feelings or someone gets mad and I end up spoiling it all. Trixie remembered another such get together on this dock when she had ruined another party. Honey’s cousin, Ben Riker, had been visiting and had caused all sorts of problems. That hadn’t excused Trixie though, who hadn’t been able to keep her mouth shut. She’d been openly hostile to Ben and inexcusably rude to Jim and Honey. I won’t wreck this party for them. Trixie vowed. I’ll put on my sunniest smile and have the best time. This party is for Brian and Jim, my problems don’t matter. With that vow made, and the tears banished, Trixie rejoined the rest of the Bob-Whites outside.

"Trixie, hi!" Di exclaimed. "I have a surprise for you and Honey. Come here." Di ushered them off to a corner where the boys couldn’t hear them and said, "Mummy is taking me shopping in New York City tomorrow after school. She wants me to have a new dress for the graduation ceremony and the party for Brian and Jim afterwards. And we want you and your mothers to come as well! Please say you can!" While Honey readily agreed, Trixie realized that she couldn’t go.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t g,o Di. I can’t afford a new dress right now and--"

Di hugged her friend so hard that she squeezed the breath out of Trixie. "No, no! That’s the marvelous part!"

"That I can’t go?" Trixie asked, truly puzzled now.

"No, what’s marvelous is that it won’t cost a thing for our dresses!" Honey and Trixie looked at each other wide-eyed and then listened while Di explained. "Several years ago, when Daddy first made all of his money, Mummy met a young designer at one of those boring parties they had gone to. The designer, whose name was Stone Chase, was really struggling, so Mummy convinced Daddy to give her a loan. Mummy then helped to promote Stone’s designs. Well, Stone has really made a splash on the design scene the last couple of years and, in repayment to Mummy, she’s offered to design a few dresses for her!"

"And you mean that your mother wants the dresses for us?!"

Di’s raven hair swirled around her head as she nodded and jumped with excitement. "Isn’t it marvelous? Mummy already cleared it with your mothers, so it’s all set. Tom is picking us up after school tomorrow to drive us in to the city."

With wide eyes, Trixie and Honey stared at Di. "Golly, Di, thanks."

Looking at them, Di giggled. "You two look like your eyelids are taped open. Snap out of it and let’s go get some food. If Mart hasn’t wasted away from starvation, then he’s probably about ready to at the burgers raw." All three girls laughed at that thought and hurriedly rejoined the guys.

*     *     * 

Mart was just about to eat the hamburger meat raw, so Honey donned an apron and began to cook the burgers. Trixie and Di looked for the other aprons and found them on Brian and Dan who were busy preparing the condiments. Trixie, remembering her earlier resolve to not spoil this party, put on her brightest smile and offered to help.

Dan shook his head, "No thanks, Trix. Brian and I have got it covered. I’m sure Jim could use your help setting out the plates and silverware though."

Trixie resigned herself to fate and walked over to join Jim. "You’ll burn a hole in that plate if you keep glaring like that," she observed.

Surprised, Jim lost his grim expression and smiled. "Hi, Trix."

"Hi."

"Ummm, look," he began rather nervously. "I’m really sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have pushed the way I did. I just-"

"It’s forgotten, okay? Let’s just enjoy the party."

Smiling, he replied, "Okay."

 

Chapter 5

"Come on, Trix, I’m starving. If we don’t hurry, Mart will have eaten everything by the time we hit the lunch table." Honey grabbed Trixie’s hand and started to lead her in the direction of the Sleepyside Junior-Senior High cafeteria.

"You go ahead, Honey. I think I’ll just use this time to study for my final this afternoon." Trixie tried to pull her hand free, but Honey was through with Trixie’s mysterious absences at lunch time.

"Oh, no you don’t! You need to eat, just as much as the rest of us. If you won’t come eat at the table, then we’ll go outside and eat together. It’s beautiful and I’d like to absorb a little sun." As Trixie began to protest, Honey turned a stormy gaze on her. "Move."

Inwardly sighing, Trixie followed Honey outside and sat down beside her under a large oak tree. "Alright, what's going on?"

"I think that’s my question to ask you," Honey said gently.

Giving in to the turmoil she was feeling, Trixie began. "Oh, Honey, I’m so confused! I’m very glad that the boys have this opportunity. Going to college is a wonderfully exciting thing for both of them and I support them completely. But, Brian is my oldest brother and I am just having a difficult time with this whole graduation thing. He’s going to be gone in the fall and I guess I’m just worried about him."

"Huh-uh, that’s not going to cut it. I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Yes, I’m sure you’re upset about Brian leaving, I am too, but that’s not it. You haven’t been eating, you won’t come to lunch, you’re avoiding the Bob-Whites…and to top it all off, you and Jim have been walking on eggshells around one another. He’s miserable and he won’t talk to me-you’re miserable and you won’t talk to me…" Honey’s hazel eyes filled with tears.

"Okay! Okay, okay. I should have known that you would get it out of me. You’re turning into a first-rate detective, you know." Honey continued to stare at Trixie and raised her eyebrow. With an another sigh, Trixie began, "Yes, I’m worried about Brian and how weird it will be without him, but I’m also worried about Jim. Or, more precisely, about Jim and I. Everyone has considered us a couple from almost the first moment we met and I guess I fell into that thinking too. Sometimes I think we paired off simply because it’s what was expected of us. I…care for Jim a great deal and just want what’s best for him. I want him to have every opportunity possible…"

"Trix, what are you saying?" Honey was leaning forward and holding Trixie’s hands now.

"I’m saying that I’m going to let Jim go." How sad and melodramatic does that sound? she asked herself with a derisive snort. She smiled a sad smile and looked at Honey for the first time since she had begun. "Jim’s good looking, smart, funny, considerate, etc. and I know that there’s a woman out there who’ll be perfect for him. Someone who isn’t so…" Beginning to lose her composure now, Trixie gave a hoarse laugh and swallowed to avoid sobbing. "…well, someone who isn’t me anyway."

"Is that why you’ve been avoiding the Bob-Whites whenever possible?"

"Yeah. It’s not the Bob-Whites I’m trying to get away from though. I have no intention of shirking my responsibilities as co-president, I’m just trying to ease myself away. It’ll be simpler and less abrupt that way."

All of a sudden, Honey ripped her hands away from Trixie’s and stood up. Her golden hair whipped in the wind and her hazel eyes were flashing. "Beatrix Belden, I never took you for a coward!" Trixie stood up as well, but before she could get a word out, Honey was off again. "That is the wimpiest excuse I have ever heard. You’re just scared. You’re scared and you’re degrading yourself and my brother. If you don’t have the courage to deal with this relationship, then that’s fine, but at least be honest. Admit it and be honest with him about it."

"Honey!" Trixie’s eyes were brimming with tears as she grabbed her friend’s arm. Honey wouldn’t look at her. "Yes, I’m scared, I haven’t denied that. But I’m scared for different reasons." Still no response from Honey. "I’m scared that we’re in this relationship because everyone expected us to be and neither of us have bothered to explore the other possibilities. A whole new world will be opening up for Jim when he goes to the school in the fall and I want him to be able to explore it freely. Do you see what I mean, Honey?"

Honey sighed and sat down again. Trixie followed suit. "Yes, I see what you think you see. However, I don’t think what you think you see is the thing you should think, you see?" At that, Trixie burst out laughing and Honey joined her when she realized what she’d said. Several minutes went by before they could control themselves enough to talk again. Honey, wiping tears from here eyes, said, "Oh Trixie, the really funny thing is that you knew me well enough to understand that."

"Oh, I know. Scary, isn’t it?" The two friends finished wiping the tears from their eyes, then looked at one another. The silence between them began to grow uncomfortable. Finally, Trixie said, "Look, Honey, this is how I feel about it, okay? I plan on having a talk with Jim if necessary, but right now I’m just trying to give both of us a little room. I’m just trying to smoothly and quietly break off with him. This is the best thing for both of us. Now promise me you won’t tell anyone what I’ve told you."

Unhappily Honey nodded her agreement. "I don’t think it is the right thing for you and I think you should have a talk with Jim, but I won’t say anything." Just then, the bell rang for them to return to class. Honey gave Trixie a quick hug and they started back in for their afternoon classes. Just before they entered the building, Honey stopped and looked down at Trixie on the step below her. "Don’t think you’ve fooled me for a minute, by the way. I know you’re not telling me everything." And with that, Honey entered the building and left Trixie to stare after her.

Oh, Honey, if only you understood…

 

Chapter 6

The rest of the week passed uneventfully for the Bob-Whites. Honey, Diana, and Trixie accompanied their mothers into New York City and spent that afternoon in a whirl of measurements, fittings, etc. Trixie ended up with a lovely light green sun-dress just the color of a ripe Honeydew melon. It was a simple design with the waist fitting loosely to her own and then opening to a nearly full skirt. Honey’s dress was a sunny yellow in color with a sweetheart neckline and a wide belt at the waist. To everyone’s surprise, Diana chose a white dress instead of her favorite color, lavender. The dress had deep purple piping and short, capped sleeves. After they had finished with the designers, all six ladies went down to Broadway and had dinner. They ate at a little pizza place called Figaro’s, right down 55^th St. from 7^th. After stuffing themselves with huge slices of pizza and thick pieces of stromboli, they declared it to be the absolute best pizza in the world. On the way out, Trixie grabbed a take-out menu to torture Mart with when they got home.

For the rest of the week, Trixie managed to successfully avoid the lunchroom during their lunch period. On the bus to and from school she either read or become deeply involved in discussions with other students to avoid Jim. When she was unable to avoid him, she put on an overly cheerful facade. Trixie became more miserable, Jim became more miserable - the rest of the Bob-Whites sadly watched the deterioration of their relationship, unable to think of a way to help.

Friday morning found the Bob-Whites, sans Jim and Brian, on the bus to school. Seniors were given their last day completely off since graduation was in the afternoon, but non-seniors had to attend classes for half a day. While Mart was engrossed in a book and Honey and Diana were discussing the evening’s festivities, Dan took the opportunity to probe Trixie’s thoughts. She was looking out the window with a lost expression in her blue eyes and gnawing on her bottom lip. He silently slipped into the seat beside her and waited. After a moment, she realized he was there and turned to him.

"Hello, Dan."

"Hi, Trix." Then they just sat there looking at one another. She’s not giving an inch, interesting. After a minute, she turned back to the window. "Look, Trix, I know that things have been a little crazy recently. I haven’t been around as much as I would like, what with the game preserve and school and stuff, but I want you to know that if you ever need me then I would be there for you. Ever. I mean it. I hate to see you so unhappy and I would help any way I can if you would tell me what’s going on." Trixie turned back to face him as he finished speaking. Her eyes were sadder than they had been - something Dan would have thought impossible.

"I’m fine, Dan."

"No, you’re not. Why won’t…"

"Yes I am. Thank you for being concerned, Dan. I value our friendship as much as you do and you know you can depend on me if you ever need me, right?" He gave an unhappy nod. She was avoiding the subject. "Please believe that I really am fine. I know everyone thinks I’m going to do something drastic, but I’m not going to do physical harm to myself or anything like that. I’ve had some things to think through recently, but I have figured out how to deal with them. I laid out the pros and cons of both sides and came up with the solution I thought was the best. Rational and logical." Suddenly she gave a harsh laugh. "Imagine that, I’ve finally managed to think something through rationally and logically without just acting first." Jim would be proud of me, but I can’t exactly tell Jim, now can I?

Dan watched her thoughts turn inward again and realized that he’d get nothing else out of her. Sighing, he gave her shoulder a squeeze and changed seats to do some last minute studying with Mart. Trixie turned back to the window. As Dan slipped into the seat beside him, Mart looked up at Dan with questioning eyes. Dan shook his head slightly and Mart closed his eyes. Looking across the aisle of the bus, Dan repeated the gesture for Honey and Di.

Chapter 7

"Trixie, Bobby, Mart, hurry up!" Mrs. Belden called up the stairs to her children. "Brian has already left with Jim, let’s get moving." As she finished saying this, the phone rang and Trixie picked it up in the upstairs hallway.

"Hello?"

A beat. "Umm, hi Trixie." It was Jim. "Could I speak to your father, please?"

"Yeah, sure. Hang on a minute." She set the phone down and called down to her father. After she heard her father begin to speak, Trixie hung up the phone and went downstairs where Mrs. Belden was waiting.

"Oh, Trixie, you look absolutely lovely, dear." Her mother held out her hand and Trixie took it, turning in a circle so Mrs. Belden could get the full effect of the dress. "Those silver and gold earrings look very nice, but you need something else. Why don’t you wear your silver bracelet, dear? You haven’t worn if for a while and it would go well with the dress and earrings."

With a rueful glance at her naked wrist, Trixie headed back upstairs for the bracelet. Her mother wouldn’t be happy unless Trixie wore the bracelet, so why try to fight it? She hadn’t worn Jim’s bracelet in public in a while, but she kept it on her night-stand. As she fastened it to her wrist, she ran her hand over the well-worn engraving of his name. Realizing as she did so that it would be the last time - she had decided to give it back. A minute later, she was downstairs again and entered the kitchen just in time to hear the end of her father’s conversation with Jim.

"Well, yes, Jim. I understand. It is yours after all… no, no, not a problem at all. Just don’t be upset if I’m late…Alright. Bye now." Peter Belden turned around to find his daughter staring at him quizzically. His face became a huge smile when he saw how nice she looked. The women had all made a pact not to show the men their new dresses until today so both Helen and Trixie had thrown him for quite a loop. "You look beautiful, Princess." Helen Belden entered the kitchen just then. "Right Helen?" At her mother’s nod, Trixie rolled her eyes. Her father tapped her under her chin. "I mean it, Trixie. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. And unless I miss my guess, you’re going to turn some heads today." Turning back to his wife, he said, "I’ve got to run by the bank on the way to the graduation ceremony. Why don’t you have Mart drive all of you in Brian’s jalopy and you can save me a seat in case I’m a minute or two late?"

Kissing her husband’s cheek, Helen Belden said, "That sounds fine dear. Mind you don’t get caught up in other business."

"Not a chance." He glanced at Trixie. "The rest of today and this evening are going to prove to be very interesting." With a wink, Peter Belden left the house.

Now I wonder what he means by that…

*     *     * 

The graduation ceremony was perfect. It was short, to-the-point, and very touching for everyone observing. Mrs. Belden and Mrs. Wheeler both started sniffling when the seniors walked in and began to cry full-out when the Valedictorian and Salutatorian gave their speeches.

When Brian and Jim crossed the gym to join the Beldens and Wheelers as well as Diana, Honey said aloud what Trixie couldn’t. "Oh, Trixie! Don’t they look handsome? And so grown up." Trixie nodded and squeezed Honey’s hand.

Across the gym floor, the two Bob-White graduates were each thinking the same thing about Trixie and Honey. As Brian’s gaze settled on Honey, his smile became a huge grin. Thinking back to the other night, he marveled at her confession of love. Happy beyond his wildest dreams when he was with her, he quickened his steps to join Honey.

Jim felt good as well. He had taken his first step towards realizing his goals - high school, college, and then his own school. Then he saw Trixie and his heart gave a painful lurch as his smile faded. Not all of his dreams were working out the way they were supposed to. Wow she looked good! She looked amazing, beautiful, stunning…Mine he thought fiercely. I love her and we belong together. Dammit what’s wrong?! Suddenly Jim had visions of throwing her across Jupe’s back and riding far away until their problems were settled. A hoarse humorless laugh escaped him. How archaic is that? He was brought back to the present as Brian kicked the pace up and took off towards Honey. Mr. Belden waved at Jim and his heart lifted again. He had a plan. Pasting a smile on his face, he kicked his own pace up a notch.

As they joined the group, Brian began the first round of hugs. After he had hugged her and gone on to Honey, Trixie noticed that her father and Jim were standing several feet away, deep in discussion. As she watched, Jim nodded in response to several of her father’s questions. Then Jim said something to Mr. Belden and both men broke out into huge grins. They shook hands and patted each others backs as Mr. Belden pulled a small white box from his coat pocket and handed it to Jim.

"Honey." Trixie whispered urgently. "Look! My father and Jim are having a secret discussion over there and he just handed Jim a box. I wonder what’s in it." Her eyes narrowed and Honey could almost see the wheels turning in her best friend’s brain.

Just then, Jim and Mr. Belden began to walk back to the group. As he turned, Honey caught Jim’s eye and noted the gleam there. A slow smile spread on Honey’s face and soon turned into a smile of pure mischief. Grabbing Brian’s hand, Honey leaned over and whispered into Trixie’s ear. "Why, that’s no mystery Trix. I know what’s in the box." Then Honey pulled Brian away towards her parents.

"Honey, wha---aaah!" Her indignant question turned into a startled yell as two freckled arms wrapped around her from behind. As soon as contact was made, she knew who it was. Trixie sucked in a deep breath and heard Jim laughing as he turned her around. Putting a stormy scowl on her face, she stepped back and crossed her arms. The more space between them, the better. "Don’t you have anything better to do than go around scaring people now that you’re a graduate?"

Unaffected by her chilly greeting, Jim grabbed her back into a hug. Trixie leaned back in his arms and tried to disentangle herself by pushing on his chest.

"Just getting a hug from my girl. I’m glad that’s over with. Now I can concentrate on something much more enjoyable for the rest of the evening." He said this with a serious note in his voice and looked at her with determination in his eye.

Trixie, however, was still wrestling with how good it felt to be in his arms and how good he smelled and how handsome he was…she was having an epiphany, for the first time realizing just what she was giving up.

Jim noticed the arrested expression on Trixie’s face and, hoping it was a good thing to have captured her attention, took advantage of her momentary introspection. He lowered his head and very lightly rubbed his lips over hers, then settled in for a sweet kiss, filled with all the longing he felt. The kiss was broken by Honey discreetly clearing her throat.

Smiling again, Jim glanced up at his sister. "Thanks Honey." Then, holding tightly to Trixie’s hand, he walked over to where Mr. Belden and Mr. Wheeler were in deep discussion. Trixie was completely confused at this turn of events. She tried to pull her hand away from Jim’s grasp, but his grip was steel and he glanced back at her with a grin and a cocked eyebrow. After a few minutes of conversation and the exchanging of pleasantries, Jim shook hands with his father and turned to Trixie’s father. "Mr. Belden?"

With twinkling eyes, Peter Belden looked from Jim’s face to Trixie’s and then back again. He acknowledged the strange greeting and bowed slightly. "Mr. Frayne." Jim returned the bow and, tucking Trixie’s hand in his arm, led her out the door.

"Jim! What are you doing? We can’t just…"

"We just did, Trix."

 

Chapter 8

Trixie sighed for the millionth time. Dinner was going…slowly. Jim seemed to be enjoying himself, but the time was passing agonizingly slowly for Trixie. After they had made their grand exit from the post-graduation, Jim had calmly ignored all of Trixie’s protests, buckled her in the car, and driven away.

Now they were in an out-of-the-way, romantic little Italian restaurant. Jim was cheerily chatting away, and Trixie had knots on top of the knots in her stomach. Why can’t I be cool and calm? she wondered to herself. About dumping the man you love because it’s ‘best for him’? another voice asked. "Oh, shut up." she said crossly.

"I’m sorry, Trix, what was that?"

"Uh- nothing. Nothing at all." Easy, Trix. Cool and calm, remember? "Well, I sure hope it doesn’t rain tonight." Trixie winced inwardly. Brilliant.

*     *     * 

Jim heard Trixie sigh and watched her shift again in her seat. She’s so jumpy tonight. What is wrong? Jim cast in his mind for something to say to set her at ease. They’d already talked about the weather more times than he could count. They’d complimented the restaurant’s food, remarked on the decor, and exclaimed over the cleanliness of the rest rooms - both had escaped there to collect themselves early in the evening. What else was there? Nothing. Nothing except The Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency. Aha.

"So I’ve noticed you’ve been absent from lunches and things a lot these last few weeks." Good, Frayne. Smooth intro., nice casualness factor…He didn’t notice Trixie had stiffened.

Defensively Trixie retorted, "What? Am I going to be lowered a letter grade for my absences Professor Frayne?" What is he thinking?

Jim’s eyebrows lifted in surprise at her answer. "No, I was just wondering what was going on, that’s all."

"I was studying."

Hmmm, okay. This wasn’t getting them anywhere. His temper was rising and he decided to ask directly. "Come on, Trix…does the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency have a secret case it’s working on? One maybe you don’t want the rest of the Bob-Whites entangled in?"

Trixie’s head snapped up from studying her unfinished bow-tie pasta dish. "What? Of course not. Honey and I would tell the rest of you if we were involved in something." That had gotten her attention. Jim decided to apply a little more pressure.

"Right, like the time you met those three crooks at Jake’s Hamburger Place to give them back your statue. All by yourself, I might add. In the middle of New York City and you go all by yourself…sure you always tell us what’s going on. You tell us after we’ve discovered it ourselves and come to rescue you." Jim’s voice had gotten louder and angrier as he’d gone on.

Trixie’s face turned ashen and she sucked in a deep breath as if he’d punched her. "Look Jim, I don’t know what you seem to think Honey and I have been up to, but it hasn’t been mysteries! I have been studying during lunches and I think my grades will show the difference-thank you very much! I’m terribly sorry that I’ve been such an inconvenience to you all these years. It must be difficult to always be the hero!" As she spit out the last words, Jim realized he had gone too far and opened his mouth to apologize. In a low, tight voice, Trixie ruthlessly cut him off. "Now that you’ve finished reaming me-yet again I might add-can we go? Your little chest-beating tantrum has attracted enough attention for one evening and it’s time we got back for the party." Jim watched with his mouth hanging open as she tossed some money on the table, gathered her purse-pack and stalked out the door.

He’d blown it again. Damn.

*     *     * 

The car was absolutely silent on the drive back to Sleepyside. Both Jim and Trixie were immersed in their own thoughts, not willing to give conversation another try. As they parked the car, Jim raced around to help her out. He was in time to see the back of her entering the house. He leaned against the side of the car for a moment, gathering courage…and patience. As his looked in the car, his eyes caught something in the passenger seat. It was silver and it sparkled in the dying light of the day.

His bracelet - Trixie’s bracelet.

The bracelet winked at him as he picked it up. He’d noticed she was wearing it earlier this evening and had chosen to see that as a good sign. Perhaps a sign that she was willing to try and talk to him. Maybe she had been but he’d hurt her, hurt her in one of her most vulnerable spots. And his. Fighting a lump in his throat, Jim tucked the bracelet into his pocket and looked longingly at the stables.

"Jim?"

He jumped at the sound of his sister’s voice but kept his blind gaze focused out. "I screwed up again. I managed to hit just the right nerve this evening."

"It’s not as easy as you thought it would be, is it?" Honey slipped her arm around his waist and hugged him.

His hoarse laugh sounded pathetic even to his own ears and he winced. "I don’t know what to do, Honey. Whenever I think we’re getting somewhere, something happens. I say the wrong thing or we misunderstand one another…I love her and she’s slipping away."

"I honestly can’t help you with this one, big brother. You have to do it yourself. Just remember that she truly does love you and thinks she has your best interests at heart."

Dryly he said, "Gee, thanks for the advice, little sister."

Chapter 9

Inside the Wheeler’s beautiful mansion, the graduation party was in full swing. The band was hot, the soft drinks were cold, and the Bob-Whites were fed up. Brian, Honey, Di, Mart, and Dan called a secret emergency meeting in Mr. Wheeler’s study.

Brian began. "Since this meeting is about our co-presidents and they are logically absent, I call this meeting to order. Tad Webster has taken charge of occupying Trixie and Ruthie Stephens has cornered Jim, I’d say we have 15 minutes tops." As he finished speaking, four other voices began talking at once. "Whoa!" Brian held up his hand. "One at a time, please. Honey, you first."

"Well, I think the most obvious thing to do first is to get them isolated and make them talk."

"I agree", said Mart. "Let’s lock them up in a room together until they work whatever it is out."

Di giggled at that but merely said, "Somehow I doubt a locked door would keep them for very long. Not now that Trixie has learned to pick most types of locks anyway."

"Ah, but if she doesn’t have her purse-pack with her… She would have no tools."

"How about Jim’s giant Swiss-Army knife that he always carries with him?" Dan’s question deflated Mart, so that he groaned and fell back on the rug.

"I give up."

"Well," began Dan. "It’s a little cliched, but it might work…" He broke off in thought and the others moved in closer. "We could try jealousy and find a way to force them to go away together." At the dubious looks around him, Dan shrugged. "Hey, I said it was cliched."

Honey’s mind was already working in overdrive. "Well, Dan might be right…We’d have to have a ‘fall-guy’, of course…"

Dan gave a gusty, dramatic sigh, and placed his hand over his heart. "Well, since I’m the only one left not technically related to her, I guess I’m the ‘fall-guy’. We also need a ‘fall-girl’ then…"

All eyes turned to Diana and her violet eyes twinkled merrily. "Perhaps all those hours spent on the stage will come in handy this evening. Mart gets to play the jealous boyfriend then, doesn’t he?"

"KNAVE! ROGUE! How dare you place your soiled hands upon the fair skin of my lady-love!" Mart jumped up and began pantomiming a furious sword battle for Di’s virtue. When he had killed his phantom opponent, Mart bowed low on one knee before Di. Getting into the spirit, she knighted her brave protector and gave him a reward-kiss.

As he laughed with the group, Brian noticed that their 15-minute reprieve was running by fast. "Okay, guys, time is running out." They finalized their plans and as they prepared to quietly slip back into the party, Brian said, "Okay, Honey and I are going first, Di and Mart wait a couple of minutes more, and Dan leave last." Then in a stage whisper he said, "Remember, Bob-Whites, take no prisoners! To your battle stations!" And he and Honey melted down the hallway.

Grinning at his brother’s rare moment of play-acting, Mart waited out the allotted time, grabbed Di’s arm, and saluted Dan before leaving. Two minutes later the room was empty.

*     *     * 

"Come on, Trixie, one more!"

Trixie groaned silently to herself. All she had really wanted to do was have a fun evening with her friends. Then the fight with Jim had happened and she had thought to stay for the first couple of hours and then retreat to her room. But apparently Tad Webster had decided he had to dance every dance this set. And they all had to be with her. They’d had fun together in ballroom dance class, but there were other people to dance with and she was tired, miserable, and missed Jim.

Jim. She’d tried to ignore the fact that he was here, but had discovered long ago that it was impossible for her to ignore Jim when he was near. He’d been chatting lazily with Ruthie Stephens for quite a while now and neither of them seemed bored with the other’s company yet. He certainly hadn’t wasted any time, had he? Or maybe I was right in the first place, he needs to be free she thought. Kind of silly to be jealous when you were going to break it off anyway said a voice in her head. But not like this replied another voice. Never like this…

She turned her gaze back to Tad. Tad was safer, he didn’t make her want to cry. "Tad, I’m really kind of tired after dancing the last eight dances. How about we dance again a little later on?"

"No, no, come on! We can’t miss this song!

"It’s the ‘Electric Slide’, Tad. It isn’t as though we’ll never hear it again, at this party or any other" Trixie said dryly.

Desperately Tad cast about in his mind for a way to keep her occupied. Honey and Brian had promised it would only be for a few minutes. That had been 8 ½ songs ago! "Well then how about we get some sodas and go out on the balcony?"

Casting another glance in Jim’s direction, she saw him rear back in laughter at something Ruthie had said. Be happy then, she thought. Just please don’t make me watch it. Smiling a small, sad smile, Trixie nodded and let Tad lead her to the ice chest. As she was choosing a coke for herself, Tad saw Dan weaving his way towards them through the crowded room. The two young men exchanged nods as they switched places. Tad stepping out of the role of distraction, and Dan stepping into the role of "fall-guy". He took a deep breath and dove right in.

Slipped an arm around her and pulling her to his side he asked, "Hey beautiful, how are you?" Trixie jumped and her coke splashed over her fingertips.

She flashed him a cheeky smile as she wiped her fingers clean. "A little stickier than I was before, thanks to you." He took the napkin from her and dipped it in the melted ice on the bottom of the cooler.

"Here, let me do it." Alright, Dan, old boy, turn on the charm. "I don’t believe I’ve gotten the chance to tell you how very beautiful you are this evening, Trixie. You took my breath away when I first saw you this afternoon before graduation." Dan was no longer trying to wipe her hand clean, he was stroking it with the damp cloth. As she watched, confused and mesmerized, he brought her hand to his lips and placed a light kiss in the center of her palm. "I’ve been having a hard time keeping my mind on anything since that moment." He chuckled to himself as he saw the confusion in her eyes. That’s it, if you can’t charm them, confuse them! Taking the soda from her other hand, he kissed both of her palms and led her out onto the dance floor. The band had just started a lively swing number and he knew she would swing no matter how tired she was.

Finally she snapped out of her confused trance. "Dan, what on earth has gotten in to you this evening-" Then she heard the song, "Sing, Sing, Sing" and didn’t care anymore. All of the Bob-Whites had taken ballroom dance classes this past year at Sleepyside Junior/Senior High School and were all rather good. Dan and Trixie were no exception and all of the other dancers made room as they took the floor.

Jim watched from across the room. He’d heard the music as well and, as it was one of their favorite songs to dance to, had looked for Trixie. He had found her…in the arms of one of his best friends. Dan. Dan kissing Trixie’s hands. Dan holding her close on the dance floor. Dan and Trixie. His head started to pound. Damn, they look good together.

*     *     * 

From yet another corner of the room, Honey, Brian, Mart, and Diana watched the proceedings.

"Dan can certainly lay on the charm when he wants to, can’t he?" Honey asked Diana.

"Definitely. Very sexy as well I think." At Mart’s look, she laughed. "But nothing to compare to you, my dear. Now give me a kiss before I have to go and be the ‘fall-girl’." Relenting, Mart did as she asked.

"It looks good so far," Brian observed. "Just play it by ear once you get down there. One of us should be close at hand at all times to take care of emergency changes in the plan."

"Right. Ciao!"

Walking towards Jim, Diana tried to dredge up all of the charm she could. She thought of her role as Mary Magdalene in Godspell the year before. I can do this. Play it casual at first, then lay it on thick…

*     *     * 

Jim didn’t hear Diana approach, so engrossed in watching Trixie in Dan’s arms on the dance floor. He missed the flash of a grateful smile and a quick nod that passed between Ruthie and Diana. He finally noticed her presence when she casually draped her arm around his shoulders and whispered into his ear, "Hey, handsome, want some company?"

"Di!" Jim jerked around in surprise. He gave a shaky laugh. "I, um, didn’t hear you. Where’s Ruthie?"

Diana sidled closer since his turn had dislodged her arm. She brushed imaginary fuzzies from the front of his shirt. "Ruthie saw some other friends she wanted to talk to, so I promised I would keep you…occupied." She slid her hand up his chest and fiddled with his shirt collar. Jim shivered and turned back to watch the dance floor. Easy, easy…slide into it slowly Di.

"I think the band shows a favoritism to swing even though they’re supposed to be playing all ballroom this set," Jim said. Where had that come from?

Since his back was now to her, Di stepped very close to his back and began playing with the hair on the back of his neck. "Well, of course. Since swing is all the rage after the classes this year, they’re bound to do so. Trixie sure looks like she’s having fun out there with Dan."

Fun. Yeah, she did. "Yeah, it’s one of her favorite songs to dance to." They listened as the song ended and another swing number took its place.

"But did you know that this one is one of my favorites to dance to?" Di tried out her pouty lips on Jim. Hmmm, he just looks confused. Oh well, as long as it accomplishes its purpose, I guess. "Would you dance with me, Jim?" He started to decline, but Di didn’t allow him time for a refusal. She batted her eyelashes in conjunction with her pouty lips. "I’ve barely danced all night and Mart is probably somewhere with his head stuck in an hors’devours tray. Pretty please, Jim?"

He relented and allowed her to lead him to the floor. "Are things okay with you and Mart? I thought you had worked it all out."

Think fast, Di. "Well, they were, but I guess that he’s just too immature for me. After all, I think I deserve a real man, don’t you?" She dropped her voice to a throaty whisper. "I think I deserve a strong, considerate man, who won’t take me for granted. Don’t you think I deserve that…Jim?" Oh, gad. This was like a bad script from a B movie. Still, Di was having fun with it.

"Um, yeah. Of course!" Jim croaked out. He was really uncomfortable now. "Di, what’s going on? This is really weird-"

"Shut up and dance, Jim." Di giggled to herself as they joined the dancing throng. I’ve always wanted to say that.

*     *     * 

"Well, I knew she had it in her, but wow!" exclaimed Brian. Honey’s eyebrows shot up.

"Don’t get too impressed big brother. That woman is mine!" Mart added a mock growl to his frown. Just for impact. Then he sighed. "I love to just watch her sometimes, you know? Not in the arms of another man, mind you." Honey patted his arm in a consoling fashion.

"You should go ahead and take your place, in case something unexpected happens, Mart." Then she added. "You’ll have a better view of Diana there." Mart nodded his blond head and took off. Honey turned her attention to Brian, who was still watching Di and Jim dance. "And don’t you be getting any ideas, either."

Brian turned to her in surprise and then grinned. "When I have you? Not a chance." He led Honey to their post and slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her to his side. "I love you, Honey."

Chapter 10

Half an hour later, the scheming Bob-Whites had lost their confident grins. Things were not going according to plan. Their jealousy plan had backfired as far as they could tell. Jim had seen Dan and Trixie dancing, Trixie had seen Jim and Di dancing - nothing.

Nothing they could externally see.

Inside, Trixie was both seething and miserable. Dan had proven to be a delightful, and strangely attentive, companion. However, the moment Jim and Di had stepped out on to the dance floor, Trixie knew she would never be happy without Jim. How can he have said those horrible things to me and then dance as if he doesn’t have a care in the world? She knew also that her idea of remaining friends wasn’t going to be possible. She sighed and stared at a spot of lint on Dan’s shirt. Well, we’re broken up…for different reasons than I thought, but they work. Why doesn’t this make me feel better? Dan said something to Trixie and gave her a huge grin. I have no idea what he just said. Trixie smiled back and laughed with him.

Across the dance floor, Jim was having similar thoughts liberally laced with guilt and confusion. Trixie’s bracelet seemed to be burning a hole in one pocket and her gift in another. He glanced down at Di’s smiling face. Di is extremely pretty, why doesn’t she stir me? Ruthie never gets tangled in dangerous messes, why not her? Erin, Shana, Christie, Blanche…the list went on and the answer always came back…Trixie. A carefree laugh floated over the heads of the other dancers, seemingly for Jim’s ears only. Trixie. Jim scowled and drew Di closer.

As they drew near again, Di and Dan exchanged a worried glance. It wasn’t supposed to go down this way, or for this long. Di shrugged her shoulders, leaving the decision up to Dan. He thought for a moment and then jerked his head towards Honey and Brian. Di nodded and asked Jim for a soda. They broke off and headed for the refreshments table. Dan danced Trixie closer to Honey and Brian, sweeping Honey away and Trixie into Brian’s arms in one fluid motion. Brian had noted where Di and Jim had settled and, getting them sodas, took Trixie to the balcony on the other side of the room.

"Well?" Dan asked. "Plan B?"

Honey made a strangled sound of frustration. "I didn’t want to do it this way!"

A ghost of a smile crossed Dan’s face. "It will certainly bring the problems to the forefront, won’t it?"

She cast him a tortured look. "Yes, but it’s awful and deceitful. I’ve never lied to Trix before and what if…"

Dan interrupted her. "Look, she’s your best friend in the world, right? She’ll know afterwards that you were working in her best interests. Especially if they can fix things up tonight."

"I hope so, Dan. I don’t think Jim will be pleased either. I told him earlier he had to do things on his own." Dan gave her a reassuring hug. "I just want them to be happy."

"I know, Honey. We all do. They’re just both so stubborn and hard-headed…"

Mart tapped them on the shoulders. "Hey guys. Mission accomplished." He gave a smart salute to Honey. "This will seem a little like deja vu to them, won’t it?" Catching on to his meaning, Honey laughed. Glancing at Dan’s puzzled expression, Mart said, "We’ll tell you story later."

"Alright guys, here we go with Plan B." First Honey waved to Di who immediately suggested to Jim that they get some air on the balcony. Then she gestured to Dan, who made his way over to Brian and Trixie. Honey nodded to Mart, who began working his way to the balcony Jim and Di were on. Seeing Dan emerge from the one balcony with Brian and Mart from the other with Di, Honey squared her shoulders and went after Trixie.

*     *     * 

"Trixie! Where’s Brian?" Honey came racing out onto the balcony, out of breath, and looking as though she’d just run a 5K. Trixie was on her feet instantly.

"Honey, what’s wrong? Brian just went with Dan to check out the motor on his motorcycle. What is it?" Honey collapsed into Trixie’s arms, moaning.

"Oh, it’s too awful!"

"What?!" Trixie was fairly bursting with curiosity now.

"They’ve wrecked it! The shelves are torn down, our things scattered…Our furniture is broken!"

Slowly, understanding dawned on Trixie’s face. She turned white. "The clubhouse?" Mutely, Honey nodded. "Go find Brian and Dan, I’ll grab Mart and head down there." With that, she was off to search for Mart. Here at last was something she could do! Trixie could feel the blood pounding in her veins.

Honey breathed in the fresh night air. After a moment, she stretched and meandered through the party. Stopping for a moment, she chatted with Tad Webster and then continued on her way to the back of the house.

Four pairs of anxious eyes looked up at Honey as she slipped inside Mr. Wheeler’s study. Joining him on Mr. Wheeler’s overstuffed leather sofa, Honey snuggled in Brian’s arms. "She took the bait. Tad was going to wait a couple of minutes and then make his move. Now we wait."

*     *     * 

"Trixie? Oh, um, hey Jim." Jim had been gazing out over the Wheelers' property and contemplating their beloved clubhouse. Now he turned to face Tad Webster. "Have you seen Trixie, Jim? I handed her over to Dan a while ago, but haven’t seen her since."

Jim shrugged a shoulder. "Last time I saw her, she was being whisked away by Brian to the other balcony."

"Yeah, I know that. He went to have a look at Dan’s cycle and left her there. Brian said Honey was in tears over something and went to find Trixie and then Trixie took off. I saw her right after that. She looked really upset, but I lost her in the crowd before I could talk to her. I just hope everything is alright." Neither make said anything for long moments. Tad was afraid the plan was falling apart already when far below, on the lawns of the Wheeler’s estate, he saw a slight figure moving. "Hey, who do you suppose that could be?"

Jim casually glanced down and again shrugged his shoulders. Turning back to Tad, he opened his mouth…and froze. Turning back around, he looked again. Dammit, what is that little fool doing now? Jim knew it was Trixie a moment after he saw the shadowy figure. She wasn’t simply going on a moonlight stroll either. Squeezing his eyes shut, Jim breathed deeply. I do not need this tonight. He turned back to Tad. "Find the rest of the Bob-Whites and tell then that something is up. Have them all grab flashlights and meet me down at the clubhouse."

"Want me to come along?" He had to suppress a smile at the violent shaking of Jim’s head. Tad carefully creased his brow. "Alright, I just hope she’s okay." Again Jim nodded and swiftly strode into the party throng.

Tad slipped into Jim’s former seat and waited. Several minutes went by and then he saw another shadowy figure follow the trail of the other across the lawns. He stretched and strolled through the party, nodding to some, stopping and speaking to others. Finally he reached a closed door and softly knocked before opening it. He smiled at the anxious faces staring at him. "Direct hit."

 

Chapter 11

What was she thinking? Even without caring what I think right now, she knows better than to wander around by herself when there might be trouble. And without a flashlight! Jim had quickly deduced what must have happened. There were few things out here that would reduce Honey to tears anymore. The clubhouse was one of them. Once, several years before, their clubhouse had been ransacked while they were attending a party at the Wheeler’s. He shuddered to remember what the thieves would have done had they not tripped the alarm hooked up in Regan’s apartment - the Bob-Whites had found rags soaked in gasoline. He remembered traveling this same path silently with Trixie. Why didn’t she come and get me this time? A quiet inner voice answered him. After the way you’ve treated her? What would you have done?

*    *     * 

There had been no sign of Mart when Trixie had gone looking for him, so she had started out on her own. Honey would be there soon enough with the others. I wish I could have gone and gotten Jim. She sighed to herself. Yeah, and had him criticize and ridicule me. She shook her head. It was better this way.

Silently she made her way across the sloping lawns towards the darkened clubhouse. Coming around the side of the small building, she crouched down and listened beneath the window. No sound emerged. Still crouching, she worked her way around to the front. She reached out slowly and tried to turn the handle. Locked. She frowned. Why is it locked? We’re all here, there was no reason to. How could the vandals have gotten in and ransacked if it were locked? Several years ago, the Bob-Whites had installed a small, sturdy lock on the door to the clubhouse. The only time they ever locked it was when most or all of them were gone on trips or to school.

Still silent, Trixie crept a short distance away from the clubhouse and opened her bag. First she pulled out her mini-flashlight and then began to root around for her keys. Then she groaned. She had loaned her house key to Mart the day before and had just handed him the whole key-ring. Of course he hadn’t given it back yet. She dug around some more and triumphantly pulled out her lock-picking kit. The lock on the clubhouse should be a snap. She crept back to the door, clamped her flashlight between her teeth, and began to work.

"What do you think you’re doing?" The hand suddenly on her shoulder and the voice disembodied by the darkness…Trixie made a strangled sound, nearly swallowing the flashlight and losing her balance, sat down hard as the tools flew out of her hands. The hand was joined by another in helping her up and the voice came again, more familiar this time. "Are you alright?"

Trixie jerked out of Jim’s grasp and bent to retrieve her tools. " I’m fine. Thank you so much." Jim couldn’t help smiling at the image of a beautiful, flustered Trixie searching the ground for her lock-picking tools. "I can’t find them!"

Jim joined her in the search. "Why is it locked in the first place? Why didn’t you just use your key?"

"I don’t know why it’s locked. I loaned mine to Mart yesterday, if you must know. I don’t suppose you brought yours?" Jim shook his head. "Great. My tools are as good as lost until daylight."

"The windows are all closed and locked too, I checked." He stood up and looked at the small building. "What’s going on, anyway? Tad came looking for you and said that Honey was upset abut something. Then I find you sneaking around in the dark out here." He took a deep breath. "Trix, are you in some kind of trouble? I want to help if I can?"

Stiff as a board now, Trixie straightened and looked at Jim. Her voice came out cold, stiff, and measured. "I have already told you once this evening. Honey and I aren’t working on anything without you. We wouldn’t dare deprive you of your moment of glory when you ride in and take credit for the rescue? Are you satisfied?"

Eyes wide now, Jim nodded his head. "Trix, I only…"

She cut him off ruthlessly. "Yes, I know you only… The point is that Honey said someone was in the clubhouse ransacking it. She went to find all of you guys. I looked for someone to go with me, but no one was around. Satisfied?" Again he nodded. "Good. There’s a spare key hidden in the boat house, I’m going to go get it. You can either come along or stay. I don’t particularly care right now."

Jim eyed her retreating figure for a moment before following her. Sure, why not.

*     *     * 

"Where is it?!"

Jim sighed and scratched his forehead. "I don’t know, Trixie. Someone must have needed to use it and just forgotten to put it back."

"Well, that’s just great!" Trixie threw herself on a lounge chair and closed her eyes. Think, think. Something isn’t right here. "Jim?"

He had moved off to stand at the edge of the dock, but now came and claimed a lounge chair near hers. "What, Trixie?"

"Something is very wrong here."

Intrigued despite the harsh feeling between them, Jim asked the expected question. "What?"

Raising herself from the chair, Trixie began to pace, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. "I don’t know." The words came out slowly, and Jim waited to hear the rest. "What exactly did Tad tell you?"

"Why does that-"

"Just answer the question, alright?

Jim nodded. "Alright. He asked if I had seen you, since he hadn’t seen you since you began to dance with Dan. I told him you had been with Brian. He said he knew that, but Brian went to work on Dan’s motorcycle-"

"That’s it!" She turned to face him fully. "Which way did you leave the house when you came after me?"

"Through the kitchen, I wanted to grab a flashlight."

"Exactly! Did you see Dan and Brian working on Dan’s motorcycle?" Jim shook his head. "Did you see Dan’s motorcycle?" Again Jim shook his head. "That’s because Dan rode over on his horse, not his motorcycle!" She nodded at Jim’s dawning look of comprehension. "Yeah. So that means that Tad lied to you. Brian and Dan didn’t tell me where they were going, they just excused themselves. However, since the door is locked, the windows are locked, and the lights are out, I would bet that there was no break-in at the clubhouse, either." Disgusted at having fallen for it, Trixie stalked to the edge of the dock and sat down.

"Trix?" Jim cleared his throat. He thought he knew the answer, but he asked anyway. "Why did they lie to us?"

A low moan drifted to his ears. "They obviously got tired of us fighting and decided to make us deal with one another."

"I see."

"Yeah." I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to do this… Trixie drew a deep breath and began. "Look, Jim. I know that we haven’t gotten along very well recently and I know that part of that is my fault. I just want you to know that I still would like to be your friend."

"My friend?! Haven’t gotten along very well? Trixie, you’re my girlfriend, I don’t want to be friends with you. We haven’t gotten along well, because you resent my protective instincts and you take too many chances." As soon as the words were out, Jim knew he’d screwed up. Damn.

As she slowly walked towards him, Jim could feel the anger coming off of Trixie in waves, it was tangible. "For once, in your life, you will listen to me. You will get this through your thick skull, James Winthrop Frayne, if it is the last think I do on this earth. Listen well." She got very close to his face and bored a hole through him with her eyes. "I will be a private detective when I’m through with my education. Molinson has already started to train me and says that I’m actually doing quite well. I’m a good student. I haven’t taken my life, nor Honey’s, nor anyone else’s for granted in a very long time. I do not resent the fact that you have protective instincts for me. Many people have protective instincts for their friends. What I resent and will not tolerate is being yelled at and belittled when I go to help someone else. I will not tolerate your implications that I don’t have any survival instincts or intelligence when it comes to mine or another’s safety. And I will not tolerate your implications that I hide things from you or the other Bob-Whites simply because I want all the praise or credit myself. Do you understand?"

Shocked beyond the capacity for speech, Jim nodded, a dazed expression on his face. Trixie moved back and stood at the bottom of the lounge chair. "Jim, I’m very angry right now. I don’t believe I’m capable of returning to the party right now. I’m going to stay here. Please go back to the party and let the others know that I am fine, but I do not want company right now." She half turned away from him, and then stopped. "You can also tell then that their grand plans for reconciliation have failed. I’ll speak to them later."

With more dignity than he’d ever imagined, she walked to the edge of the dock and sat down, drawing her legs up under her chin. Dismissing him. Unable to comprehend what had just happened, Jim sat there stunned for several minutes.

Trixie sat on the edge of the boat dock, holding on to her self control with both hands. Please go away, please go away… Of course he didn’t. He’s probably to horrified to move. How could I have been so awful to him? I needed to tell him, but…

"Trixie, please, I--"

His voice interrupted her thoughts, but she recognized the pain she had put there.

"If you have something to say, then you’d better say it now." Silence continued to reign for what seemed like an eternity.

Almost without realizing it, Jim began speaking softly. "I used to love to solve mysteries with you. I loved the excitement and the thrill of discovery when we’d find clues or a link in information. You were always so smart about things and I was so proud that you were my girl. It was great. Then it changed. I was still proud of you, but it wasn’t the same. I don’t remember when exactly, but suddenly it wasn’t fun anymore. Do you know why?"

"No, but I’ll just bet you’re going to tell me."

Ignoring her bitter sarcasm, Jim continued. "The mysteries were still fun and exciting and all of those things, but they came at a price. At any single moment during any one of our adventures, I could have lost the woman I love, lost her forever. You Trixie, I could have lost you." Jim gave a cold, humorless laugh. "So I became an overprotective bore. I knew it was happening and I didn’t know how to stop it. I lectured you, scolded you, pressured you to stop altogether, knowing that it was eating at our friendship, eating at our relationship, but not being able to stop it."

He looked over at Trixie, but she still hadn’t moved. I’m losing her, he thought. I’m losing her through my own stubbornness and I can’t do anything about it. He ran his hands through his shock of red hair and went on, wanting to at least get everything out on the table. "I never wanted you to stop solving mysteries or quit being a detective. I know that all of that scolding and lecturing pointed to that, but it’s not really what I wanted. Heck, I don’t know what I wanted. I just couldn’t bear the thought of losing you to some desperate criminal. But I never wanted you to stop. That’s part of you and I knew - I know that. Your spirit of adventure, your enthusiasm, your bravery, your resourcefulness… I could go on and on… I love all of that about you. But I didn’t like where that took you. It terrified me."

Remembering some of the close escapes that Trixie had had over the years, he shuddered. Needing to be close to her, he sat down beside her on the dock. After a moment of silence, he began again. "I guess I should admit to a certain amount of jealousy as well."

"Jealousy?" It was a quiet murmur, but at least he’d gotten a response from her.

"Jealousy. You always get so involved in the cases you’re working on. A guy could get the idea that he didn’t matter quite as much as the case did and get his feelings hurt. We always have so much fun together, with or without the rest of the Bob-Whites, but when you’re working on a case, it’s like I don’t exist sometimes. Or I exist only as a part of "The Bob-Whites" solving a mystery. Sometimes I just needed-need to be with you, just… with you. But instead we’d be chasing gun-smugglers or breaking up counterfeiting rings. I’d make you mad or you’d keep information from me because you knew I’d stop you, you would go and solve the mystery alone or with Honey, get caught, and then I, as head of the cavalry, would lead the way with the police. The nice, safe route." He gave a derisive laugh and got up to pace again, unable to be still.

Torn between not responding and defending Jim, Trixie gave in. "You were always the one to do the sane, honorable--"

"Honorable?! I always felt like I was the goody-two-shoes who hadn’t listened, so I was the one who had to lead the clean-up crew. ‘Good-old Jim’, we knew you’d bring in the police when the danger was over…God! I was such a prick!"

"No!" Trixie’s voice broke with a sob. She scrambled up and put her hand over his mouth to stop his speaking. "No. Don’t ever say that. You’re not. You were my Knight in Shining Armor, don’t you know that?" The tears were streaming down her face freely now. Tenderly Jim reached out a hand and brushed a tear aside. "I always knew, even in the darkest moments, that you would be there to rescue me after I’d screwed up again. So solid…" Her voice had quieted now, and she moved away. Jim caught a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes before she turned her back once again.

"Trix?" It was part sigh, part plea. She didn’t turn around.

"You were always there, Jim, to pick up the pieces of my latest mess. I sometimes felt so incredibly stupid compared to you. You seemed to know so much more than I did, and you’d try to tell me, help me. I wouldn’t listen. Then I would end up risking my life, and sometimes Honey’s, because I hadn’t." She turned back to look at Jim. Her face was hidden in shadow as the moon’s beams outlined her shape perfectly in the moonlight. But her eyes…he could see the pain and sorrow in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak again, "So you see--", but Jim couldn’t stand it any longer. Moving with incredible speed, he wrapped Trixie in his arms, just holding her.

"Shhh, don’t love…I can’t stand it." His voice was raw with emotion, but oddly soothing to Trixie’s ears. Soothing and full of peace. This is the way it has to be…otherwise I’ll continue to hurt him when we’re together…he needs someone else. Now…It has to be now.

Slowly, but with gaining strength, Trixie pushed herself out of Jim’s embrace. He looked up in surprise. She gave a small, heart-wrenching smile and said, "Goodbye, Jim. Good luck with college next fall. I hope that you achieve all of your dreams." With that, Trixie turned and walked away through the woods. Away from the only man she’d ever loved, would ever love.

Jim stared after her, his freckles standing out in blazing red against the chalky-whiteness of his skin. And let her go.

Chapter 12

Ten minutes later, Trixie was huddled in a shivering, sobbing mass near the ruins of Ten Acres.

Fifteen minutes later, that’s where Jim found her.

Somehow he had known that she would come here. Their relationship had begun at Ten Acres, and she would somehow believe it fitting that it should end at Ten Acres.

Walking softly on the pine covered floor of the forest, Jim approached Trixie and softly murmured her name. "Trixie…" She stiffened, but made no other movement or sound. You’ve got one chance at this Frayne… Jim got down on one knee and began, "Beatrix Belden, I love you. Even if you walk away from me tonight, I will still love you for the rest of this life and on through eternity. You are my soul-mate.

As she listened, Trixie continued to hold herself in a tight ball. His words nurtured the last spark of hope in her heart, even as her mind continued to deny they had a future together.

"No, Jim. I was going to break up with you tonight anyway. It’s better if we just end it now."

"WHAT?! No. Why? Please tell me why."

"You’re going to college in the fall, Jim. Far away from me, and far away from a relationship that’s always been a little iffy to the minds of some. You deserve to be free of me, to be free to experience and experiment. I want you to take advantage of all the opportunities that might come your way. I’m clipping your wings by hanging on, and I refuse to be responsible for that." Seeing the tears gathering in his eyes, she gently wiped then away before continuing. "There’s someone out there for you, Jim. Someone sweet and funny, smart and …someone who’s perfect for you. I want you to be happy, Jim." Trixie smiled through the veil of tears on her face. "I’ll always be watching from the sidelines and cheering you on. I’m doing this because I care for you too much to be the one to hold you back." The smile lost its battle with the tears and she turned away. "Please. Please just go."

Jim sat stunned.

"I…I don’t know what to say to convince you, Trix."

Trixie’s head whipped around and fire blazed at him from her wet blue eyes. "Then don’t," she whispered. "Let it go. Let us go."

"I can’t."

Closing her eyes, Trixie could feel the tears sliding down her cheeks again. "Why not?"

"Because…" Jim crossed to where Trixie sat curled up and lifted her face from her arms. He cupped her face with his big hands and slowly wiped a stray tear away. "I need you. Don’t you understand that? Every other girl I’ve met, I’ve compared to you. Since the day we me, I’ve compared them to you. They always seem like paper cutouts next to you." Taking a chance now, Jim eased down beside Trixie and wrapped his arms around her. "Every dream of the future includes you in it. Not as a friend, but as my equal, my partner. I don’t know where these feelings of insufficiency came from, but you’ve got to banish them. You are my equal - you’re intelligent, funny, considerate, caring, spontaneous, and so very heart-stoppingly beautiful."

"No I’m…"

"Shut up. You’ve been teased for years, but you’ve changed so much from the girl I first met. If I haven’t told you before, I’ll say it now. Trixie, you’re beautiful. I love your eyes, your lovely curls, your lips, your-"

"No, Jim. Don’t you see…"

"Yes! Yes, yes, I do see! I see that your self-esteem is too low and that you think you’re not good for me. It’s not true. You’re so very good for me, baby. Please believe me for once." Jim jumped up for a moment and began searching his pockets. "This is for you. I had plans for tonight. I wanted to sit down with you and tell you how I feel about you." In his hands, he held the mysterious package Mr. Belden had handed him hours before. "Open it, Trix."

Trixie took the small package from his hands. She knew what was in it. Holding her breath, she opened the box to reveal her diamond. The diamond Jim had given her so many years before. "Oh Jim." Her breath a mere whisper, she looked into his deep green eyes.

"Look on the inside of the band, Trix." Their names were etched in tiny letters. "I know we’re too young to really get engaged, but I want this to be a promise ring." He laughed. "I always thought the idea of promising to get engaged, which is a promise to get married, was a little silly. Now I think we need it."

Trixie squeezed her eyes shut. "Oh, Jim. I just don’t know. I don’t want you to have to sacrifice-"

"Sacrifice? You don’t want me to sacrifice? What? My future? My love? Yet you want to sacrifice everything that we could have together because you think it’s what’s best? You think that’s what I want? No! Neither of us needs to sacrifice. We belong together and you know it as well as I do." He stopped and positioned himself directly in front of her. "I know I have many faults and I know that one of them is nagging at you too much. I’m sorry for that, but I care for you too much to worry less. I’ll try to work on it, but I’ll always worry about you. We may have some problems with not getting to see each other as much when we’re at schools, but we’ll work it out. I just want to know that you’ll be there, that you’ll be my wife in a few years. I don’t care where we live. I can base my school in several parts of the country if you decide to move your agency-"

"Jim, you’re rambling." Although she said it in a stern voice, Trixie was biting her lip and her heart was beating out-of-control. In a small voice she asked, "Do you really-"

"Yes!" Kissing Trixie hard, Jim continued. "Yes, I love you, I adore you, I need you. For always…Please don’t leave me." The last was a whisper, his eyes pleading. "I need you."

Please let this be the right decision…I love him so much. In answer, Trixie reached up and pulled Jim into her arms. She whispered, "I love you, Jim. I need you too," just before their lips met.

The End

Note from Zap: I bent the guidelines slightly for this story. This was an exception, not the rule and should not be a barometer for any future stories. Send me any comments or questions. : )

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