rated *

It’s a See-crud

"Seriously, Trixie, you and Jim are perfectly perfect for each other, why don’t you just admit it and start dating? Then we could go on group dates and…"

Trixie interrupted Honey’s spiel. "Madeleine Wheeler, we have gone over this time and time again. When and if Jim and I start to date, it will be when WE want to and not because everyone else is dating."

"Trix, Honey’s right, you guys should just admit it. Mart and I were so happy when Brian and Honey started dating, and it’s been a lot of fun double dating." Diana Lynch added, tossing her dark hair. The girls were sitting up in Trixie’s room, having finished working on a group project they were doing for their history class. Trixie had enjoyed working with the other girls on the project, but was getting quickly aggravated at the turn the conversation had taken.

"Well goodie for you. It’s not my fault that I’m not as pretty as you two are…"

"TRIXIE!!" Both Diana and Honey cried together.

"Sorry, I just said that to annoy you. Just like you two keep annoying me about Jim. Just drop it, OK? Don’t you need to start getting ready for your dates tonight?"

Both girls nodded.

"Besides, for your information, I’m actually spending time with Mr. Frayne this very evening. We’re going out riding," Tixie said smugly, even though she knew it was just a friendly outing.

"Well then girl, make a move. Mr. Honorable’s too damned slow." Diana turned around and left the room with a smile, thanking her lucky stars that Mart never suffered from the same honorableness that seemed to infect the older male BWG’s. Mart had even been the first of the guys to make a move; it took his younger brother dating to prompt Brian to ask Honey out on a date.

Trixie sighed as Honey and Diana left her house. She never realized being 16 would be quite so…frustrating. Frustration at Jim for never letting her know whether he liked her as more than a friend, frustration at herself for not being more daring and making a move (facing down criminals, no problem… risking rejection, way too scary) and most of all, extreme frustration at her two best friends. Ever since her brothers got their acts together and started dating Honey and Di, the two girls had been trying to play matchmaker for all their friends. She knew that they were just so happy in their relationships that they wanted to see all their friends happy, but it was becoming annoying. Dan wasn’t terribly fond of the matchmaking the girls were doing on his behalf either, but Trixie was definitely being badgered the most.

I just hope Honey and Di aren’t saying anything to Jim too, that would be so embarrassing.

*     *      *

Trixie needn’t have worried about the girls saying anything to Jim. After all, they had much more devious methods at their disposal.

"So Jim, when are you going to ask my sister out?"

The rest of the guys looked askance at Mart, totally surprised by the question.

"Ummm, Mart, you’re, like, way breaking the guy code. We’re not supposed to say things like that," Dan stated, saving Jim the need to reply.

Mart reddened. "I know. It’s just that, well…Diana kinda asked me to ask Jim and well…I mean, she said please and she looked so cute asking and well…"

"Man, you guys are so whipped," Dan said, shaking his head.

"Not me. I’m sure as hell not going to encourage Jim to date my sister. I’d hate to have to kill you." Brian said, glaring at Jim.

"Hey, back off Brian, I haven’t even made a move on your sister yet so just…"

Mart interrupted. "Yet? Does that mean you’re planning to?"

It was Jim’s turn to redden. "What I may or may not have planned is my business and mine alone."

"Of course, of course, my noncommittal compatriot. However, please comprehend that if you are not expeditious in your pursuit of the…*cough cough* fair Beatrix, she may, in fact, be pursued by another enamored beau."

Jim looked at Mart for a second and then turned green eyes to glare at Dan.

"Hey, don’t start, Jim. I haven’t made a move on Trixie. I have no plans to make a move on Trixie." I like my face just how it is, thank you very much, Dan thought to himself.

"Guys, let’s leave Jim alone, OK? If he and Trix aren’t ready to date, then we shouldn’t pressure them," Brian said calmly.

"Thanks, Brian," Jim replied gratefully.

"Cause I’d really have to kill you if you messed with my baby sister."

"Thanks, Brian," this time quite sarcastically. It amazed Jim that Brian didn’t realize how hypocritical he was being. For God’s sake, Brian was dating his sister, and Jim didn’t threaten Brian about that. Much.

Before he had a chance to point this out to Brian, the Belden guys realized that they needed to leave to pick up their respective girlfriends. Dan had already arranged a date for himself as well, staying clear of the girls that Honey and Di had suggested.

That left Jim alone with his thoughts. He couldn’t understand why everyone kept trying to force him and Trixie together. It’s not that he wasn’t attracted to Trixie, he was. Sigmund Freud might say it was because her blond hair and beautiful blue eyes reminded him of his mother, but it was the ways she wasn’t like his mother that he admired more. He knew that Trixie would never have married someone because she was too scared to make it alone. And she definitely would have recognized what a bastard Jonesy was.

But though he was attracted to Trixie, he couldn’t believe that she would ever reciprocate his feelings. After all, she was so impulsive, carefree, fearless…why would she be attracted to someone who lectured her about being careful and planned out his wardrobe for the week each Sunday? She probably liked Dan, at least they had their crime-solving interests in common. Jim scowled at where his thoughts were leading him.

Of course, Trix and I do both love the outdoors…and sports…and horses…and helping others…and we do have that same quick temper. But she probably loves the bad boy. Mr. Nice Guy always finishes last, right? I bet Mr. Honorable does too. Well, at least I have her friendship.

 *      *    *

Down at Crabapple Farm, Trixie was also thinking about their friendship.

What if I made a move and he doesn’t feel the same? It would ruin our friendship. And everything would be really, really uncomfortable. With my best friend being his sister, and his best friend being my brother…and with us being the co-presidents of the Bob-Whites together…things would just be too awkward.

She had had so much fun in the three years since she had met Honey, and they had found Jim, and then found Jim again. She was even enjoying hanging out with her older brothers. Forming the Bob-Whites of the Glen, a club that wasn’t terribly good at being secret, had been a wonderful experience. When Diana, and then later Dan had joined, they still managed to have a great group dynamic. The last thing Trixie wanted was to destroy that.

Well, actually, the last thing I want is for Jim to date another girl. But who am I kidding; he hasn’t made a move on me since he gave me the bracelet.

Thinking about the bracelet, Trixie decided to grab it from her jewelry box before heading up to the stables. She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted to do something. Besides, with the cool fall weather, she could just hide it under the blue sweater she was wearing over her turtleneck and jeans.

 *      *     *

As Jim was getting ready to go riding, he also thought about the bracelet. He wondered if Trixie even wore it anymore. He hoped that she did, maybe then the other males at Sleepyside Junior/Senior High would leave her alone. When he had been a senior there two years ago, he had tried his best to prevent anybody from going near her via pointed glares and even occasional verbal warnings, but he figured that had worn off by now and the boys would start chasing her any day now. There were times he really regretted heading to college so young. He would have had two more years to keep the guys away from Trixie if he hadn’t skipped those years.

I just wish her dad hadn’t told me she was too young at 13 to go steady. I guess she was, and I probably was as well, but I wanted to give her the bracelet to let her to know how special she is to me. And I wanted others to know too, especially Ned…and Dan…and Pete Kimball…and Tad Webster…and Nick Roberts…and stupid "Yen for Ben" Riker…and…dammit, I’ve got to make a move. I don’t know why I haven’t yet, her dad said 16 would be OK and she’s been 16 for months. OK, so what do I do now?

He ran his hands through his red hair. It was times like this that Jim really missed his real father. He could use some older, wiser male advice. Matthew Wheeler was a wonderful man, and Jim would be forever grateful that he and Mrs. Wheeler had adopted him. But he was usually away on business trips, like he was now. Peter Belden had often given Jim advice, but somehow Jim didn’t think this was a good topic to broach with the man.

Yeah, I could just go up to him and say, "Hey Mr. Belden, how do I make a move on your daughter? Do I just slip her some tongue or what?" That would go over well.

Suddenly Jim realized whom he could ask for advice and quickly ran down to the stables.

By the time Trixie got up to the stables, Jim was feeling happier. Of course, seeing Trixie helped as well. She was wearing his favorite color, her curls were in their usual endearing disarray, and her cheeks were flushed from the slight chill in the air. (Actually the sight of Jim in his green sweater and nice, tight jeans had more to do with the pinkness, but he didn’t know that.)

After years of trying to act normal around each other, Jim and Trixie had it down to a science. They prepped for the ride with Regan’s help, both of them sneaking looks at each other when the other wasn’t looking. Regan grinned to himself at Trixie’s very obvious perusal of Jim’s backside. He hoped his advice would work.

"Now I can trust you two to take good care of the horses, right? Because I’m going out to a movie and won’t be here when you get back."

Trixie rolled her eyes. "Yes, Regan, you can trust us. We’ll take good care of Jupiter and Susie. Won’t we, Susie sweetie?" Leaning down, Trixie nuzzled Susie’s neck.

Great, now I’m jealous of a horse, Jim thought.

The ride through the preserve was beautiful and incredibly peaceful that fall evening. The leaves had just begun to change and the red and gold colors seemed to glow from the slowly setting sun. Trixie and Jim enjoyed the ride, occasionally chatting about Jim’s college courses or the happenings in Sleepyside, but mainly just enjoying each other’s company.

It was about halfway through the ride when Jim noticed the glint on Trixie’s wrist as she adjusted the reins. It took him a couple of seconds to realize what it was, and then he couldn’t stop himself from smiling broadly.

"What are you so happy about?" Trixie asked.

"Why am I happy? Well, because it’s a beautiful evening, I’m on a horse ride, and I have a pretty girl riding beside me." Jim smiled to himself as Trixie immediately blushed.

"Ummm…thank you, Jim." Trixie had been trying for months to accept compliments gracefully. She was still embarrassed, but she was growing up and gaining a bit more confidence in herself. But could she flirt back?

"I’m also enjoying the ride and the umm…gorgeous scenery." She tried to smile coyly, not sure if she had achieved her goal. Seeing Jim redden as well, she thought it had worked.

After that, both of them retreated into private thoughts, not sure what to do next. Jim was thinking about Regan’s suggestion, wondering if he could pull it off. Looking over at Trixie, he smiled as he saw her biting her lower lip in concentration. He resolved to try. Besides, Regan had said it would be enjoyable.

As soon as they returned home and Jupiter trotted into the stable, Jim quickly jumped off and ran over to Susie to help Trixie dismount. She looked down at him in surprise, but then accepted his hand and threw her leg over. On the way down, Jim stood so close that she ended up sliding down the entire length of his body. Her eyes widened in shock at the close contact.

As for Jim, he was realizing what Regan’s smirk meant when he said that this would be enjoyable. Enjoyable didn’t begin to describe it. Reacting purely on instinct, Jim did what everyone (other than Brian and Mr. Belden) wanted him to do and bent down and placed his lips on Trixie’s. He had meant to take it slowly, but the second he kissed her, his libido took over and his honorableness quickly faded away. He turned them both around and pressed her against the stable wall as he deepened the kiss.

Trixie couldn’t believe it. She quickly understood and forgave her friends for not hanging out with her as much since they started dating. She was enjoying the feelings coursing through her at the feel of Jim’s warm body and never wanted it to end.

Neither did Jim. He couldn’t believe how incredible it felt to finally kiss Trixie. He could stop worrying about the right steps to take, stop wondering if she liked him or not, stop worrying if he could actually make the first move, stop…

"OW!" Jim said as a large head butted him in the back. Jupiter had decided it was time Jim stopped all right and started attending to the horses like a good rider.

Trixie giggled. "I think Jupiter’s trying to say something."

Jim scowled at Jupiter as he disengaged himself from Trixie. "Yeah, he’s trying to say he wants to go to the glue factory. Although…I guess…well, it was probably a good idea to stop… right?" He looked at Trixie.

"Actually, I was quite happy with what we were doing." Freed from her concerns about whether Jim was attracted to her, Trixie reverted back to her normal, bluntly honest self.

"Good…Good. So was I. But I guess we do need to take care of the horses first." Jupiter expressed his agreement by head-butting Jim again.

They quickly groomed the horses, making sure they were comfortable and cleaning all of the riding gear. When Trixie opened the storage room to replace the tack, Jim seized the opportunity and pushed Trixie down into the hay, diving down to lay beside her.

"Now, where we when we were rudely interrupted?" Jim asked with a sexy grin.

"I don’t quite remember, Jim. I think you’ll have to refresh my memory."

After a few minutes of memory refreshing, Jim pulled back. "Wow, Trixie, I never realized that it would feel so…so incredible."

"Yeah." Trixie replied softly. "Is this, I mean, was this your first kiss? I mean, it was definitely mine but I was wondering if you had ever…"

Jim looked at her in surprise. "Yes, of course, I mean, who else would I have kissed?"

"Who else? Ummm…all those girls at the college? And you were in Albany until you were 15, you could have…"

"Trixie, I was either living with a dying mother or an abusive stepfather at that time. I assure you kissing was the farthest thing from my mind. And since I’ve met you….since I’ve met you I haven’t wanted to kiss anyone else." Jim was also having his normal state of honesty restored by the knowledge that Trixie wanted him.

"Good, then let’s keep it that way." Trixie said emphatically, rolling on her side and kissing Jim just as emphatically.

After a while, Jim pulled back, needing some air. He looked down at Trixie and was surprised to see her frowning.

"What’s wrong, Trixie?" Jim asked, afraid he had done something wrong.

"Nothing, nothing." She quickly assured him as she sat up. "I was just thinking how insufferable Honey and Di are going to be. They’ve been doing nothing but nagging me about dating you for months now. They’ll be gloating all over the place."

"Yeah, Dan and Mart will be just as bad. But at least they won’t be scowling at me like your oldest brother will. I have half a mind to not tell any of the Bob-whites."

"Yeah, me too…" Trixie trailed off. Their eyes met and they both started to laugh.

"No way, Trixie. There is no way we could successfully keep this from them….could we? I mean, they do all deserve it, they’ve been annoying as hell. It would almost be worth the effort."

"Let’s do it. Seriously, Jim. Let’s hide the fact that we’re dating...I mean, are we dating?"

"What? Of course we are…if you want to that is," Jim hurried to finish.

Trixie nodded shyly.

"Then we’re dating. But Trixie, if we do hide it, and I think it would be quite satisfying if we do, I don’t feel comfortable hiding it from our parents."

"Of course not, Jim. It’s not that we want to sneak behind everyone’s backs, it’s just that we don’t want to give the other Bob-Whites the satisfaction of knowing they were right. We won’t hide it from our parents. I know how honorable you have to be, James," Trixie added with a sly grin.

"I’ll show you honorable," Jim muttered, shoving Trixie back into the hay.

 

Later that night, after carefully removing any straw from their clothing, Jim walked Trixie back to Crabapple Farm. Brian and Mart weren’t back from their respective dates yet and Bobby had already gone to bed. Mr. and Mrs. Belden joined them for a long talk in the kitchen accompanied by many pointed glances from Mr. Belden to Jim. They weren’t very comfortable at the idea of Trixie and Jim hiding their relationship but agreed as long as all the adults were informed.

"I’ve heard Honey and Diana talking to you about Jim, dear, and I know you were upset at both of them. But you know they just want you to be happy, right?" Mrs. Belden asked Trixie.

"I know, Moms, but they’ve really been annoying. Only Jim and I should determine the pace of our relationship…"

"And the legal statutes of the state of New York," Mr. Belden interrupted, once again looking intently at Jim.

"Dad! I can’t believe you just said that. I mean, we just started dating and…."

"Peter." Mrs. Belden frowned at her husband. "Anyway, I guess we see how much the others have been pestering you. Trust me, Peter and I know what it’s like to have siblings trying to interfere with your relationship."

"At least Uncle Andrew and Uncle Harold weren’t as overly protective of Dad as Brian is of me," Trixie grumbled.

"No, they weren’t" said Mr. Belden as he turned to look at his wife. "Your sister was actually the really annoying one. I still haven’t forgiven Alicia for the time she…" He stopped. "Anyway, as we were saying, as long as you two accept that all the adults will know, I guess we’ll go along with your scheme."

"I’m curious to see how long you can keep it from them," Mrs. Belden added, grinning impishly. "I’d definitely advise Jim to head home and that you both go to bed if you want to keep it a secret for long."

"Why is that, Mrs. Belden?" Jim had finally recovered from the New York statute comment. He had also finished calculating how many months it would be before he could stop worrying about said statutes. And he had almost stopped feeling guilty for said calculations.

"Hmmm…well, how can I put this? Both of you are obviously intensely happy. One look at your faces and Brian, Mart, and Honey would all know something was up."

Trixie and Jim both smiled and looked at each other. Jim squeezed Trixie’s hand under the table.

"You’re right, Mrs. Belden. I should go. But first I want to thank you both for trusting me with your daughter. I promise you that I’ll respect her." Jim said, standing up to leave and pulling Trixie up with him.

"I’ll be right back, Moms and Dad. I’ll just be a few minutes saying good night to Jim."

"Two minutes," Mr. Belden said, with one final glare at Jim.

"Peter, come to bed." Mrs. Belden grabbed her husband and forcibly turned him around as they headed up the stairs.

 

On the porch, Trixie and Jim smiled happily at each other for a few minutes. Jim broke the silence.

"Trix, I want you to know that I made a move because I wanted to, not because of anyone else’s encouragement," he said quietly and sincerely.

Trixie smiled. "I’m glad to hear that. I’d hate to know you kissed me just because everyone else suggested it. But would you take that suggestion from me?"

"I’ll take any of your suggestions," Jim murmured, pulling Trixie close and away from the porch light.

After a few satisfying minutes, Jim pulled away before Mr. Belden came down with a shotgun to check on them.

"I guess I should go…"

"Yes, unfortunately."

"I don’t want to go."

"No, but we also don’t want our secret found out the first night by being caught making out on the front porch."

"Good point…can I see you tomorrow? We could say that you need some help on your homework. I mean, that’s true, right?" Jim asked, reluctantly walking toward the porch stairs.

"Wow, Mr. Honorable is becoming Mr. Devious," Trixie smirked. "And yes, I can always use your tutoring. Too bad I had Sex Ed last semester…oh my God, I can’t believe I just said that." She turned red.

"I can’t believe you said that either," Jim laughed. "We’ll have to wait a while for those lessons though."

"Yeah, the state of New York seems to be highly concerned about that." Trixie paused. " I can’t believe my dad said that. I’m sorry my family is so protective of me."

"That’s OK, Trixie. I’m quite protective of you myself. And I know where your dad is coming from. But I really do mean to respect you and not rush you."

"Thanks, Jim. But I think I’m going to have to rush you. I can see the station wagon lights coming down Glen Road. You better get going and I’d better get to bed before Mart gets back."

After planting a quick, hard kiss on her lips, Jim jumped off the porch and ran up the path to the Manor House. Trixie smiled smugly to herself and ran up the stairs.

I wonder how long we can keep this a secret.

 The End

I still don’t see honorable Jim Frayne doing that before Trixie is 18. But we shall see. J And we’ll see how long they can keep this see-crud.

TBH Main