Regan waited. He knew that she would show up. She wanted information, and so did he. Today, he had walked up to the bluffs. He wanted to focus just on her. He heard the hawk, but did not turn around. He just stood there, looking over the river. This time, he was going to make her come to him.

"Is it you or Jim that’s related to James Winthrop Frayne?" Tansy asked as she came and stood next to Regan.

Today, she was dressed in jeans and a green coat.

"Why do you want to know?" Regan asked. He was afraid that if he answered her question, she would just walk away without telling him anything.

"I think that I might be related to James Winthrop Frayne," Tansy answered.

Regan turned his head to look down at her. "What makes you think that?"

Tansy shrugged. "My aunt got real upset soon after the Wheelers moved in. She insisted that I stay away from everyone who lived there. But last month, I found a diary. After reading the diary, I knew that I was related to James Winthrop Frayne. The diary mentioned a male child, but didn’t say what his name was. I also found out that someone that lives at the Manor House is related to James Winthrop Frayne."

Regan thought over what she had told him. He also noticed that her skin really was flawless.

"So, what do you plan on doing once you discover which one of us is related to you?" Regan asked.

Tansy looked up at him. She studied him for a few minutes, her eyes a deep green.

"So it’s Jim who is related to James Winthrop Frayne," Tansy said with conviction.

"Yes, it is. James Frayne is his great-uncle. But that doesn’t answer my question, does it?"

Tansy looked back towards the river. "I’m not going to do anything. I don’t know enough to say anything. I just was curious."

"Didn’t the diary say who your father was?"

"I don’t even know who wrote it. The handwriting could be my mother’s or my aunt’s. The only reason I knew it was about my father is because she talks about naming the baby Tansy, if it’s girl, and naming the baby Winthrop James, if it’s a boy. She also talked about meeting in the summerhouse, and how beautiful Ten Acres was."

"Just enough to be suspicious, but not enough for confirmation. I can see why you would be reluctant to approach Jim," Regan said. "So what made you narrow it down to Jim or me?"

"I have a way with animals. I know for a fact that I get this from my father. I know that it was a long shot, but I was guessing that the male child that was mentioned would also share this trait. The problem is that the diary was not written in date order. It’s like who ever wrote it just opened the diary and wrote on whatever page it opened up to. So the child could be a few years older or younger than I am. You and Jim fit the profile I made up. At first, since I was drawn to you, I thought you were the one. But I now realize that our attraction for each other is of a sexual nature."

Regan was taken aback. "What makes you think that there is anything between us? I admit that I was curious about you, but that’s only because you were watching me and kept running away when I tried to talk to you."

Tansy turned towards Regan. "Take my hand."

Regan turned so that he was facing her and put his hand into her small delicate one. Tansy closed her fingers around his big hand. Her eyes stared into his green eyes, her green ones turning darker.

"There is fire in you. Right now, you are holding back, containing those flames." Tansy shut her eyes. Regan could feel a heat spreading through his body. He could feel emotions bubbling up, emotions that he did not want to deal with. He snatched his hand from hers.

Tansy opened her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"How could anyone cause you such pain?" she cried.

Regan wanted to run, but he could not leave her. He held out his arms, and she came into them. She softly cried on his chest as he looked out towards the river. He couldn’t understand why he was holding this stranger and why it felt so right.

Tansy pulled away from him. "I’m sorry. I know better than do that, but I couldn’t help it."

"Just explain to me what happened just now. I have to admit that I’m confused, and that isn’t a feeling that I enjoy," Regan said.

"I’m a touch empath, which means I can pick up what others are feeling by touching them. Normally, it is only surface emotions. But people who have deep emotions can overwhelm me. Sometimes I can pick up strong emotions by just being in the area," Tansy told him. She was watching him closely.

Regan didn’t know what to believe. He had moved around a lot since he had run away from the orphanage and had seen some very strange things. He knew that there were a lot of things in this world that couldn’t be explained.

"Look, I don’t know what to say. I’m going to need time to absorb all of this. You have surprised me in more ways than one," Regan finally said, before chuckling. "I was expecting a shy, timid person."

Tansy smiled for the first time. That smile hit Regan like a ton of bricks. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.

"I’m cautious, not shy. Why you would think that a person who ran around the woods at all hours of night and in any weather is timid?"

"A very good point! Cautious is good. I know some young ladies that could practice a little of that," Regan commented. "Would you mind if I took a look at this diary?"

"I had a feeling you would want to read it." Tansy reached in the pockets of her coat and pulled out a small book and handed it to Regan.

"Why, after avoiding everyone for so long, are you willing to trust me?" Regan asked, taking the diary from her, being very careful not to touch her.

Tansy noticed that he had avoided touching her hand.

"Because I’ve been watching you. Animals don’t respond to deceitful people. I also sense that you’re more open to the possibility that there is more to this earth than people can understand. Just so you know, I can’t read minds and although I may pick up your feelings, that doesn’t mean that I understand them. I still depend on verbal communication in order to know what is going on with a person."

"That’s nice to know. I have to admit that the thought that you might know what I’m feeling does make me uncomfortable," Regan admitted. "Tell you what. I’ll read this diary, and then we can discuss what we can do about finding out who your father is. I think you should meet Jim and the rest of the gang."

"Why?" Tansy asked.

"First, answer me two questions. How old are you? Do you know anyone your own age or close to your age?" Regan asked.

Tansy thought for a few seconds, her senses in touch with his. She could tell that he really felt that it was important for her to meet these people.

"I just turned eighteen in September, and no, I don’t know anyone. I admit that your friends seem to have a lot of fun. Sometimes I would come across them while they were swimming in the lake or horseback riding in the woods, and their emotions were so filled with happiness and joy, that it warmed me for days. I’ll have to think about it. My aunt isn’t very happy with me right now, because I told her that I was going to meet with you."

"I hate to tell anyone to go against their parents or family members, because family is very important. But on the other hand, it’s not right that you live a lonely life. I wouldn’t put you in the position where you’re going to get hurt," Regan assured her.

"I admit that I don’t like too many people around me. They never understand why I don’t shake their hands or why I don’t like to be touched. My experiences with people haven’t been very good ones. But I did note that Jim and his friends seem to accept that strange girl that just moved in not long ago," Tansy said.

"You must be talking about Sirene. That’s the only new girl that I know of. But why do you call her strange?" Regan asked.

Tansy looked at him in surprise. "She has some sort of psychic power. I’m not sure what it is, but I can feel her energy and in addition to that, she can block me. When I was watching them yesterday afternoon, I noticed that I couldn’t pick up any feelings from her at all. It was like I had hit a brick wall."

"How about that? Dan didn’t say anything to me about it," Regan said with a grin. He started to think about ways that he could tease his nephew about that. "So we’re surrounded by psychics."

Tansy looked startled. "I’m not psychic, just extra sensitive."

Regan laughed. "I guess those of us who have no special abilities clump everyone who has some extra ones as psychics."

"Then you’d better include yourself with the second group, because you have a special way with horses," Tansy said.

Regan looked down at his watch. As much as he was enjoying Tansy’s company, he knew that he had to get back to the stables.

"Would you mind if I walked back with you? I would like to meet your horses," Tansy asked.

"I would like that very much," Regan said, extraordinarily happy that she seemed to want to be with him.

Regan was impressed with Tansy’s willingness to help out. She assisted him in the feeding and watering of the horses. She obviously wanted to learn about horses, because she must have asked a couple hundred questions. He admitted to himself that he was enjoying her company. She even ate liverwurst and cheese sandwiches with him.

The rest of the day flew by, and Regan did not realize how late it was until Jim and Honey entered the stables. He was showing Tansy the proper way to clean the tack when they entered. Jim and Honey looked surprised to see a strange young woman cleaning the tack and Regan hovering over her.

Tansy slowly stood up and waited to see what Regan would do.

"Jim, Honey, I want you to meet Tansy. Tansy, meet Jim Frayne and Honey Wheeler," Regan introduced them, keeping an eye on Tansy’s reaction. He didn’t mean for her to still be here when they got home. He wanted her to make the decision about meeting them. But he had got so wrapped up in enjoying her company, that he hadn’t paid any attention to the time. He hoped that she didn’t think that he had tricked her into forcing this meeting.

‘I’m glad to meet you. Regan has told me what wonderful riders you both are," Tansy said, giving Regan a small smile to show him that she wasn’t upset.

"It’s nice to meet you, also. I’m glad that you decided to come and see the horses. We’re very proud of them and of the excellent care that Regan gives them," Honey said graciously.

Jim looked at Tansy. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t say what. She sure was a little thing. Tansy realized that Jim was looking at her, but kept her eyes on Honey.

"I’ve seen you and a blonde girl riding in the woods. You both seem to enjoy riding," Tansy said to Honey.

"That would be Trixie Belden. Surely you know her and her brothers?" Honey inquired, noticing that here was another girl refusing to look at Jim.

"Well, I know that the Beldens live at Crabapple Farm, but I don’t believe that I ever have spoken to them. When I was in elementary school, my aunt used to take me over to Diana Lynch’s house, but I doubt if she remembers me. If I remember correctly, she’s a couple years younger than I am."

"We’ll have to make arrangements for you to meet everyone," Jim said. He was trying to figure out how to turn the conversation in a direction where he could ask if she had been around Ten Acres. He wished that Trixie were there. She never seemed to have trouble asking questions.

"Oh, no hurry. I’m sure that I’ll run into them eventually," Tansy said, not really enthused about the idea of meeting so many people. There was one person that belonged to Honey and Jim’s group that she did not want to meet. He scared her!

"If you do run into them, don’t be afraid to say hi and introduce yourself. I’m sure that they would love to meet you," Honey said kindly.

"I might do that," Tansy lied, knowing that she would never approach them on her own. "Well, it was nice meeting you two, but I have to get going. My aunt will began worrying about me, especially since she hasn’t seen me all day."

"Well, be careful going home. There may be a stranger lurking in the woods. While we were at Ten Acres yesterday, we believe there was someone watching us," Jim said.

Tansy had started to move towards the stable doors, making sure that she went around Honey and Jim. She stopped in the doorway upon Jim’s words and turned to look at them.

"That was me," she admitted. "No one ever goes there, not since it’s been cleared out. It looked like you were searching for something, and I was curious. I had a feeling that you knew I was there."

"Well, next time do me a favor and just come out and ask. It was a little creepy knowing that someone was out there and that we didn’t know for sure who it is," Jim said, grinning to show Tansy that he wasn’t angry.

"I’ll try to remember that. So what were you looking for?" Tansy asked, her curiosity stronger than her fear of making her aunt mad at her. She could sense that whatever they were looking for was important to Jim.

Jim and Honey looked at each other. They weren’t sure what to answer. They hated to include an outsider on a mystery that they considered a Bob-White affair without consulting the others. But they didn’t want to be rude either.

Tansy could tell that her question had made them uncomfortable. She looked at her watch.

"Oh my goodness! I hate to run, but I have to. My aunt is going to kill me if I don’t get home. I’ll just have to get your answer another time," Tansy said. "Regan let me know what you think after you read the diary."

Tansy turned and ran out of the stables. Jim and Honey looked over at Regan with questions in their eyes.

Regan just smiled at them. "The diary is none of your business, at least not at this time. If there is anything you need to know, I’ll tell you. That is, if Tansy gives me permission."

As Honey and Jim were saddling Strawberry and Jupiter, they wondered about the diary. Both were eager to tell the other Bob-Whites about this meeting with Tansy.

 

The Hartmans’ House, Right Before Karate…

The doorbell rang as Sirene was coming down the stairs. Dan, Mart and Diana were downstairs in the basement, waiting for her to bring down her CDs. She opened the front door. Brian and Trixie were standing there, but what surprised Sirene was the fact that Jim and Honey weren’t with them.

"Honey called and told me that she and Jim were going out to eat with their parents. So they’ll get dropped off afterward," Trixie told Sirene as she and Brian entered the house. What she didn’t tell Sirene that Honey had something to tell them. Honey didn’t tell Trixie what it was, but Trixie knew Honey well enough to know when something was up.

"Everyone else is down in the basement. Mart isn’t too happy right now. Poppy told Nana that we couldn’t have any of her homemade chocolate cookies until after karate," Sirene told them, as they followed her through the house and into the basement.

"Mart? Who’s that? You and Diana have seen more of him these past two weeks than we have," Trixie commented.

Sirene laughed. "Poppy asked me the other day if we should just have Diana, Dan and Mart move in with us. He and Nana really love having everyone over here. Although, I think he gave Dan and Mart a talk about respecting Diana and me."

Dan had overheard Sirene’s comments as she came down the basement stairs. "We got the same lecture that I got from Uncle Bill, and Mart got from his father. But somehow it seemed a little bit more forceful coming from Mr. Hartman."

"Mr. Hartman does have a way with making his point, doesn’t he?" Brian added, remembering when he had first met Mr. Hartman.

They heard the basement door open, and a few seconds later, Honey came down the stairs, followed by Jim. They could see that Jim had a tube in his hand.

"Dad brought the plans. He also told me that these plans include every building that has been on the property," Jim said.

"Great! I wish we could get started right away! Darn karate lessons!" Trixie said, not thinking. As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she covered her mouth with her hands and looked apologetically at Sirene.

Sirene just laughed. "Don’t worry. I was thinking the same thing. But part of karate is learning patience and discipline. So, we’ll just have to endure until after karate."

"Guess who Jim and I met today?" Honey said excitedly as they did their warm ups.

"Who?" Diana asked.

"Tansy! She was with Regan. It looked like he was teaching her about cleaning tack," Honey answered. "She was another one that didn’t want to look at Jim."

"I’m going to get a complex if I keeping meeting people who refuse to look at me," Jim said. "But kidding aside, I felt like I’ve met her someplace. I couldn’t think where, but she seemed familiar to me."

"She admitted to being the one watching us yesterday. She was curious as to what we were looking for,’ Honey said.

"How did she know we were looking for anything?" Sirene asked.

Diana giggled. "Well, considering that we all were walking with our heads down, using sticks to poke at piles of leaves, and we were spread out, I think that it was obvious that we were looking for something."

Sirene tapped her head with her fingers. "Duh! That will teach me to open my mouth before engaging my brain."

"You didn’t tell her, did you?" Trixie asked.

"Of course not!" Honey assured her. "But it was kind of strange. Right after she asked us about it, she came up with an excuse and left in a hurry. It was like she knew that we were uncomfortable with her question."

"That’s not so strange. Maybe she’s sensitive, or maybe she realized that her question wasn’t appropriate. I’ve known you to tactfully change a subject that was uncomfortable for someone," Brian said.

"Well, what I want to know is what was she doing with my Uncle Bill?" Dan asked, thinking about the opportunities this might bring for him to tease his uncle.

Mart replied, "Don’t try to eclipse our resident sleuths in casting suspicious behavior on a new acquaintance. You don’t possess the devious, convoluted mind that is needed to perpetually see abnormal behavior where there is none."

"At least we don’t sulk just because we didn’t get our cookies," Trixie snapped at her brother with Honey nodding in agreement.

"I can’t believe that I’m hearing bickering when you’re supposed to be warming up and clearing your minds of everything but karate," Mr. Hartman said quietly, standing on the bottom step. No one had heard him entering the basement.

Everyone jumped up and correctly bowed to their Sensi. The lessons went well, even though Mr. Hartman could tell that the Bob-Whites were somewhat distracted.

Mrs. Hartman brought the cookies and milk down just as the class was ending. She smiled as she saw the delightful grins of the Bob-Whites. She was very grateful that they seemed willing to accept Sirene as she was, even if her granddaughter was a bit outside of the normal.

After the Hartmans had gone back upstairs, and everyone was settled with their snack, Jim pulled out the plans and laid them down on the mats.

"Okay, there are two blueprints. One of the house and one of the grounds. Why don’t we split up? Trixie, Honey, Brian and I will look over the blueprints of the house, and the rest of you can look over the one of the grounds," Jim suggested.

Dan took the blueprints that Jim had handed to him and walked over to the other side of the room so that they could spread out. He spread out the plans, and Mart, Diana, and Sirene surrounded them and started looking. For a long time, all that was heard was quite murmurs while each group studied the blueprints.

"I think I found something!" Diana exclaimed. Trixie, Jim, Brian, and Honey rushed over to where she was lying.

"Right here! See this!" she said, pointing out what she thought was strange.

On the blueprint, all of the buildings were labeled. It was obvious that some of these buildings had been torn down and no longer existed, such as the stables and a shed. But there was one building that was not named, and it was supposed to be between the house and the summerhouse.

"I don’t see what you’re looking at. It’s just another building that has been removed," Sirene said.

"No, it isn’t! See how all of the buildings are labeled and have solid lines. This one isn’t labeled and the outline is dotted," Diana pointed out.

Trixie looked closely at the blueprint, and, sure enough, Diana was right. What was more, if she traced the dotted lines, they went to the summerhouse.

"She’s right! That building is different, and it’s connected to the summerhouse! We didn’t check the summerhouse!" Trixie said excitedly.

"But, Trixie, the summerhouse is nothing but a big room with windows and a porch," Honey said.

"How do you know? Who has ever seen it in the light? We didn’t look too closely at it, and Jim just threw the mattress in there. There might be a hidden door in the floor."

"Diana and Trixie may be onto something. This is showing that there is a connection between this unlabeled building, which by the size of it is a small area, to the summerhouse," Jim said.

Mart jumped up, grabbed Diana by the hands, and started dancing around singing, "Diana found the cellar! Diana found the cellar!"

Diana giggled. "Mart, you goofball! Stop that before you get me dizzy! We won’t know for sure if I found anything until we search the summerhouse." Secretly she was very proud. It wasn’t often that she got to find a clue, let alone the very item that they were searching for.

"It’s too dark to do anything now. If we all meet right after school tomorrow, then we might be able to find it before we have to get ready for the homecoming game," Brian suggested.

"Oh, I forgot! Mother told Jim and I that she had arranged for all the Bob-Whites and Sirene to come over to our house after school and stay overnight. So we would all have dinner at the Manor House and get ready there. After the game, she was going to have Cook put out a midnight buffet for us," Honey explained.

"You’re kidding! Moms agreed to that?" Trixie said. "Jeepers! Our mothers always seem to know when we need extra time together."

"Mother said that she already cleared it with everyone’s parents and Sirene’s grandparents. So it’s all set," Jim added.

"Thank you for including me. I would have died if you all found something and I had to wait to find out!" Sirene exclaimed.

"Okay, she has definitely been hanging around you girls too much! She’s picked up the bad habit of dying all over the place," Dan teased.

Sirene stuck out her tongue, then blushed when Dan gave her a wicked smile.

Everyone was very excited. Tomorrow, they would find the cellar and then go to the homecoming game. Then the next day would be the Homecoming dance. So much to do, so little time!

Chapter 8

Friday

Regan was surprised to find Tansy sitting on a corral post waiting for him. It was early Friday morning, still dark out and cold. Tansy was dressed in jeans and a heavy sweater. The cold weather didn’t seem to bother her. Regan looked to the skies to see if he could see the hawk that was usually around her.

"What are you looking for?" Tansy asked, tilting her head sideways to look up at him.

"I’m looking for the hawk," Regan answered.

Tansy smiled. "I think he decided to trust you. He didn’t follow me this morning."

Regan smiled back at her. "So what brings you here so early?"

Tansy hopped off the post as Regan came closer. "I wondered if you had had a chance to read the diary and what you thought?"

Regan started walking towards the stables. "I read it last night. I think we are going to need Jim’s help if we want to solve this. It does point to someone that stayed at Ten Acres and who was probably related to Jim’s great-uncle. But I’m telling you right now, that if we tell Jim, he’s going to want to have the others involved. That’s the way it is with that group. Did you also think about what this could mean?"

"I’ve thought of nothing else. What if Jim’s great-uncle is my father? Did Jim have any uncles that might have stayed at Ten Acres? What if Jim’s father is my father? I was only in Jim’s presence for a few minutes, but I can tell you that he has buried a lot of pain and anger. I don’t think he would be too upset if his great-uncle or an uncle was my father. But if we share the same father, I think it would be devastating to him, unless I was born before his parents got married. How long were they married before Jim was born?"

"I don’t know. But we also need to think about how this would affect Honey," Regan said.

"I know I was thinking that too. She’s his sister, but the relationship is still new enough that something like this could cause a breach. I don’t want to cause problems and pain. I just wanted to know who my father was," Tansy sighed.

"Nothing good comes from hiding the truth, even if it might hurt someone. Honey is pretty tough. She may seem frail, and I’m not saying that she’s not going to be knocked for a loop, but she’ll recover and be stronger for it. As for Jim, if what you said about him having buried anger is true, then maybe this would be a good thing. The longer you bury pain and anger, the more it festers. Someday it will explode and whoever is around him may get hurt," Regan said as he started watering and feeding the horses. Tansy watched very carefully and was delighted when he asked for her help.

"So, how did you handle your anger? I know you were hurt, and someone caused you a lot of pain. But I sense that it was old pain, and you’ve come to grips with your past," Tansy asked.

"Yes, I’ve had my fair share of hurt and disillusionments. It was working with horses and the fact that Mr. Wheeler gave me a chance to prove myself. I was finally able to make peace with my past when Dan came into my life. Finding out about what happened to my sister closed that chapter of my life. I’m aware that Dan has some issues that will need to be addressed. But I’m hoping that by working and living with Mr. Maypenny, he can come to terms with his past. If not, then I’ll have to see about some counseling for him. But I believe in giving a person some time to deal with it on his own first," Regan explained.

"I have to agree. From what I’ve seen too many people race to the psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as they have problems. People should always try to work things through first. But there are times that the pain and abuse are so bad that a person needs help," Tansy said thoughtfully.

"I could ask you the same thing. I have to tell you that I asked Tom about you. He told me that you were beat up so badly that you had to go to the hospital. Is that why your aunt took you out of school?" Regan asked.

"Well, that was one of the reasons. I wasn’t handling being around so many people very well. I kept getting bumped into and the emotions from so many kids were driving me crazy. That’s one of the reasons I don’t like crowds," Tansy explained. "My aunt helped me through a lot of the anger I felt about being different and about others not accepting me. I really have no choice but to keep away from too many people. That’s the only way I can avoid touching them."

"But what kind of life is that? What are you going to do for a living?" Regan asked.

"Well, I already started a career of sorts. I design clothes. The new boutique has sold a couple of them for me. I’m taking college courses over the internet. I would love to be a psychologist and work with troubled teens. But unless I can learn to control my talent, I don’t see how I can accomplish my goals," Tansy admitted.

"I need to get these horse out to the corral. Would you like to help?" Regan asked.

"Sure, I think I remember what you showed me yesterday. I’ll start with Lady. She doesn’t seem to mind my fumbling as much as the others."

Regan and Tansy put the horses out in the corral, and Tansy offered to help clean out the stalls.

Regan and Tansy spent the day together. Regan was amazed how comfortable they were with each other. Although she had lived most of her life in relative solitude, he was amazed at her insight of the world they lived in. He admired her intelligence. He was also glad that she was eighteen. Some of the feelings he had were not suitable for a younger girl.

"I have to go clean up. Taking care of horses sure can be messy work. But I can see why you love it. There’s something soothing about being around them. Good thing I’ve done so much hiking and climbing, plus working in the garden at home, or I would be so sore tomorrow," Tansy said later that afternoon.

"You might still be a little sore. I’m sure that you used muscles that you didn’t even know you had," Regan chuckled. "But in all seriousness, I think you should come back. It’s been simmering in the back of my mind all day as to whether we should tell Jim about the diary. My suggestion is that we probably should and just deal with whatever the truth is. But I would like to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler about it first and see what they think."

Tansy sighed. "That’s what my aunt said last night. She felt that since I started all of this, then I needed to see it through. I suppose that you want me with you when you talk to the Wheelers."

"Yes, I do. Can you be back in about a half and hour?" Regan asked. "I’ve have to talk to Mr. Wheeler about something else, so I’m going to be seeing him right after I shower and change. I know that Mrs. Wheeler is home too. So we could talk to them after I’m done with my business."

"Well, I guess so. Won’t Jim and Honey be home from school by then?" Tansy asked.

"We probably will be just finishing up when they get home. I think I should warn you that all of the Bob-Whites, plus Sirene, will be here," Regan said.

Tansy looked puzzled for a few minutes. "Is that the name of their group? I remember seeing red jackets with the initials B.W.G. on them."

"Yes, it is. Honey made those jackets," Regan said proudly.

"The jackets look good. If you want me back here soon, I have to run," Tansy said, taking off towards the woods.

Regan watched her until she had disappeared into the woods. He turned and went to clean up so that he would be presentable to his boss. As he showered and got dressed, he thought about everything that he had learned that today. He hoped that whatever they found out about Tansy’s father wouldn’t ruin the relationship that was building between them.

As he entered the Manor House for his meeting with Mr. Wheeler, he ran into Mrs. Wheeler. He told her that there was something that he wanted to discuss with her and Mr. Wheeler and asked if she would have time for him after his meeting with Mr. Wheeler. She agreed to meet with him, curious about what was on his mind.

After giving Mr. Wheeler an update on the horses and some other information that Mr. Wheeler had asked him to look for, he asked if he could talk to him and Mrs. Wheeler about something concerning Jim. Mr. Wheeler was naturally willing to listen to anything concerning Jim. Just then there was a knock at the library door. It was Celia telling them that there were a Ms. Roiya and a Ms. Tansy wanting to see Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. Regan was surprised that the aunt had come, but assured Mr. Wheeler that they were needed.

Mrs. Wheeler came in with the two women following her. Tansy’s aunt was as short as Tansy, but with a fuller figure. Roiya had black hair that was braided and worn up. She had deep blue eyes and copper toned skin. She briskly walked into the library with Tansy following her.

"So, you’re Matt Wheeler. I want to thank you for the generous donations you made to the shelter for abused women. My niece tells me that you’re not the one she’s been looking for. Of course, if she had bothered to ask me instead of sneaking around spying on people, I could have told her that you weren’t around nineteen years ago," Roiya said, sitting in a chair across from the desk. " Well, child, are you going to introduce me to your young man or are you just going to stand there?"

Tansy rolled her eyes. "Aunt Roiya, you haven’t given anyone the chance to do the introductions."

Regan had stood up from his seat when the women had walked in. He now offered his chair to Mrs. Wheeler and moved to stand next to Tansy.

"I’m Bill Regan," Regan said to Roiya, holding out his hand. After Roiya had shaken his hand, Regan continued with the introductions. After the pleasantries were done, he brought up the reason for the meeting.

"It seems that Tansy has come across with a diary that implies that she is related to Jim’s great-uncle," Regan announced. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were surprised and intrigued.

"Well, of course she might be related to him. She didn’t have to read a diary for that information. I’ve always known that my sister was seeing someone at Ten Acres. But I couldn’t see any good coming from giving out this information, especially when young Frayne had inherited everything," Roiya said.

"Excuse me! Am I to understand that you have known all this time that Jim and Tansy are related, and you didn’t think it was important to tell anyone?" Mrs. Wheeler asked, very surprised. She knew how important family was to Jim.

"The problem is that we can’t be sure that she is related. I don’t know whom my sister was seeing. The only thing I do know is that she couldn’t always see him. There were times that he was unable to meet her. So, as far as I know, it could have been someone that just visited Ten Acres. Now do you understand why I didn’t think it was a good idea for Tansy to go looking?" Roiya explained.

"Where did the diary come from?" Mr. Wheeler wanted to know.

"I found it in our attic. I have some poems that my mother had written. So I compared the handwriting. It looked like it could have been written by my mother or my aunt," Tansy answered.

"Well, I can say for sure that it isn’t mine. I would never write in a diary. That sounds like something Impatia, my sister, would do. She was a bit flighty," declared Roiya. "Let me make this perfectly clear. I was not happy that Tansy had made contact with all of you. She was told to stay clear."

"May I see the diary?" Matt asked, ignoring Roiya’s remarks. Regan had brought the diary with him, knowing that Matt and the Bob-Whites would want to look at it.

"May I ask why you did not want Tansy to make contact with us?" Mrs. Wheeler asked, while her husband was looking over the diary.

"Because you are rich, and I didn’t want her getting hurt. Rich people are always thinking that people are trying to get their money. Well, we don’t need your money or Jim Frayne’s money. We have plenty of our own. Just because we don’t entertain lavishly or live ostentatiously doesn’t mean that we’re poor. Plus, my niece is special, but different, and your kind doesn’t understand people who are different," Roiya answered, very sure of her views.

Mrs. Wheeler didn’t know whether to be insulted or somewhat amused by this woman. Roiya seemed very opinionated and didn’t seem to care if she was being rude or not.

"Oh, Aunt Roiya! You promised to behave if I brought you," Tansy cried, embarrassed.

"I’m not saying that they’re like that, but they could have been that way. I’m sure Mrs. Wheeler can think of several people in her circle of friends that fit my description," Roiya stated. "But I’m willing to admit that Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler seemed to be above that sort of pettiness. They have good children, so if Tansy wants to make friends with them and the Belden kids, I have no objections."

Mrs. Wheeler decided not to take offense. Roiya genuinely seemed concerned for her niece. Mrs. Wheeler had to admit that Roiya had described a lot of people that she and Matt entertained.

"Well, I must say that this diary does imply that whoever Tansy’s father is was very familiar with Ten Acres. There is a description of an upstairs bedroom and certain paintings are mentioned. I know for a fact that the paintings that are mentioned did exist. When Ten Acres burnt down, Mr. Rainsford had a list of items that were covered by insurance, and these paintings were listed. I think we should tell Jim," Mr. Wheeler said, after looking through the diary.

"Could I be Jim’s sister?" Tansy asked nervously.

Mr. Wheeler looked at the young woman. "There is a possibility. Your mother would have been about six months pregnant when Win married Katje. I know that about six or seven months before they got married Win and Katje were having some problems, and Win came and stayed with his uncle."

Tansy wasn’t sure how she felt about this. She thought that she was ready for the truth, but now she felt like she was kicked in the stomach.

"Do you really think we should tell Jim about this, Matt? You know how much he worshipped his father. It would hurt him to know that his father left a pregnant woman alone to marry his mother," Madeleine said, very worried about her son.

"Tansy and Jim need to know the truth, whatever that truth is. You know as well as I do that living a lie is no good. It all comes out eventually," Matt said, looking his wife straight in the eyes.

Madeleine closed her eyes for a few moments, controlling emotions that she hadn’t felt in many years.

Tansy’s eyes swung over to Madeleine. Tansy, with her face pale, reached for Regan. She stood still, letting Madeleine’s strong feeling go through her like a wave, holding tight to Regan’s arm, her only anchor. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it was intense.

Regan felt Tansy clutching his arm and looked down at her. He noticed that she was pale and trembling.

"Hey, are you all right?" he asked, removing her hand from his arm and then putting his arm around her to support her. "Do you need to sit down?"

Tansy shook her head. "No, I’m all right now. It passed."

Roiya had been watching her niece carefully. She sat there with a smile on her face. She knew that she did not have to worry about Tansy anymore, because Tansy had found at least one friend.

"Look, I know your main concern is for Jim, but my concern is for my niece. I don’t want her being hurt by this," Roiya told the Wheelers.

Tansy moved over to her aunt and knelt down in front of her, taking Roiya’s hands in hers. For a few moments, aunt and niece just looked at each other in silent communication.

Roiya sighed. "I guess I knew this day would come. All I can do is be here for you."

"Thank you," Tansy said. Getting up, she turned to Mr. Wheeler. "So how do we find out if I’m related to Jim?"

"I would suggest that a DNA test be done," Matt suggested.

"But won’t that just show that they’re related?" Regan asked.

"Yes, but it also can suggest how closely they are related. We may never find the real truth," Matt answered.

"Well, I suggest that we meet with Jim right away. He may want to tell the rest of the Bob-Whites," Madeleine said.

Matt looked at the clock on his desk. "They should be home any minute. I’ll go tell Celia to have Jim come in as soon as he gets home."

"Stay where you are, dear. I’ll go. I want to make arrangements for refreshments to be put out for the Bob-Whites, and I’ll have Celia bring a tray in here," Madeleine said as she got up. Matt nodded his agreement with a smile to his wife.

"I don’t think Tansy should be here while you are talking to Jim. I’ll stay in case he has any questions concerning my sister or Tansy," Roiya declared.

"But, Aunt!" Tansy exclaimed.

"I think your aunt is right. You don’t know how Jim is going to react. I think it would be better if you give him a chance to get his emotions under control," Regan said quietly. "Why do you and I go out, and I’ll give you your first riding lesson?"

"How can I turn down a riding lesson? You’re probably right. It might be easier on Jim if I’m not around at this moment," Tansy said, knowing that Regan was trying to protect her.

Just as Tansy and Regan were leaving the library, Jim was coming in. Jim glanced at Tansy, wondering why she was here.

Jim noticed as he came further into the library that there was a woman that he had never seen sitting across from his father.

"I was told that you wanted to see me," Jim stated.

"Yes, please sit down. I want you to meet Roiya Gifford, Tansy’s aunt," Matt said. "I need to talk to you about something regarding Tansy. But I want to wait for your mother. She should be back soon."

"I should know better than doubt Trixie’s hunches," Jim said with a sigh. "I think the rest of the Bob-Whites should hear this. We’ve come across information that indicates that there is a secret cellar at Ten Acres. Trixie and Honey both thought that somehow Tansy was connected to this. We’ve been investigating. So it would be easier to just tell us all instead of having me repeat everything."

"It’s your choice, Jim, but I should warn you that this is a very personal and could be upsetting," Matt said.

Jim’s green eyes went towards Roiya Gifford. He just knew that he wasn’t going to like what he was going to be told. But he wouldn’t have secrets from his sister or his friends.

"I want the Bob-Whites here, and Sirene too, I think," Jim stated. "I’ll go get them. They’re probably all just waiting to find out what’s going on anyway."

Sure enough, everyone was in the living room, just waiting. Jim told them the little that he knew and invited them all to come into the library.

Mrs. Wheeler had already returned by time they arrived. After they were all settled, Mr. Wheeler told them about what he had learned that day.

There were a few moments of quiet after Mr. Wheeler finished speaking.

"May I see this diary?" Jim asked quietly. Mr. Wheeler handed him the diary. Jim looked through it.

"Matt was telling me that Jim mentioned that the Bob-Whites have been looking for a secret cellar. What makes you think there is a cellar? How does it tie in with Tansy?" Mrs. Wheeler asked.

"We were looking at the blueprints of Ten Acres last night. Diana found a mysterious room that looks like it’s connected in some way with the summerhouse. We were going to explore the summerhouse this afternoon. We’re not sure that this cellar has anything to do with Tansy. It just seemed odd that after so many years of ignoring us, Tansy starts taking an interest in what were doing," Trixie explained, remembering their promise to Sirene about not telling anyone about her special gift.

"Why did you need the plans? You must have suspected something before Jim asked me to bring them home," Matt said, looking at the group, wondering what they were hiding.

The Bob-Whites, except for Jim, who was still reading the diary, looked at each other, wondering how to answer that question.

"I have a feeling that that young lady is the one to answer that. Am I right, child?" Roiya said, pointing towards Sirene.

Sirene looked at Roiya for the first time. When she had first entered the library, she had been observing Matt and Madeleine.

"Jim’s great-uncle told me," Sirene quietly said. Somehow she sensed that Roiya knew about her gift.

"When did he tell you this? Jim’s great-uncle has been dead for over a year now," Matt asked.

Sirene moved a little closer to Dan, who she had been standing by. Dan took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Spirits communicate with me, and I can see them too," Sirene said, after taking a deep breath.

"You’re psychic! How wonderful!" Mrs. Wheeler exclaimed, surprising everyone. "I had an aunt who could always locate things. If anyone lost anything, all they had to do was ask her, and she could find it for them."

"Madeleine, if you don’t mind, I don’t think anyone is interested in your aunt Phoebe at this time," Matt said.

He always knew that psychics and the paranormal fascinated his wife. She had even tried to tell him that Honey had some ESP. Matt couldn’t understand how such an intelligent woman could believe in such nonsense. Now here was a girl claiming to talk to spirits.

"Oh pooh! Just because you’re a non-believer doesn’t make it any less true. So dear, tell me what did Jim’s great –uncle have to say?" Madeleine asked.

Sirene realized that there were two adults here that really believed her.

"He told me that Jim had to find the cellar, that there were very important papers and albums there. Once I passed the message to Jim, he stopped talking to me," Sirene told her.

"So that’s why the Bob-Whites are looking for a cellar. How exciting! I believe that you mentioned that you think you know where it is located. Would you mind if I came along?" Madeleine asked.

"Oh, for heaven sakes! I can understand Trixie and Honey getting mixed up in this. They’ll believe anything if it means a mystery. But I expect more sense from Jim and Brian!" Matt exclaimed. Then looked at his wife. "I can’t believe that you’re willing to go traipsing around Ten Acres with them!"

"Well, excuse me! It’s okay for you to get mixed up with their mysteries, but I’m not allowed? If I remember correctly you were with them when they found the diamond in the idol’s head, and when they helped catch those criminals. I believe you were also with them when they went to St. Louis. They had a mystery there too that you were involved with," Madeleine stated, her honey eyes flashing at her husband. "So, Matthew Wheeler, if I want to go with them on this hunt, I think I’m entitled!"

The Bob-Whites were astonished, not only because Mrs. Wheeler was willing to believe in Sirene’s gift, but also because she was wanting to go with them to fin the cellar!

Matt ran his hands through his hair. "Okay, I guess there is no harm in all of us going. I want to apologize to Jim and Brian. It isn’t your responsibility to keep Trixie and Honey from getting into mysteries. The best you can do is go along for the ride."

"Is there a possibility that my dad is Tansy’s father?" Jim asked. He had been quiet all this time. He had finished reading the diary during Madeleine’s tirade.

"Yes, Jim, there is a slight possibility," Matt answered. He explained about the time that Jim’s father and mother had split up for a short time before they had married. In anticipation of Jim’s next question, he told Jim about the DNA testing.

Everyone was watching Jim to see how he was taking all of this in with the exception of Brian. He had his eyes on Honey, worried about how the fact that Jim might have a blood sister might be affecting her. He could see her tensing up as her father explained things to Jim. He moved quietly and stood behind where Honey was sitting. Brian put his hand on her shoulder. Honey brought her hand up and laid it on top of his. Just having Brian near her and showing that he cared was enough to relax her.

"I know this is probably important to Tansy, but I need time to think about this DNA stuff," Jim said quietly. He couldn’t believe that his dad would leave a pregnant woman to raise a child on her own. There has to be another explanation.

"Maybe whatever is in the cellar will have the answers," Trixie said. "After all, Sirene did say the your great-uncle James did mention important papers and albums."

"Once again, Trixie is right. Let’s hold off on this speculating until we see what is in the cellar," Jim said, latching on to the idea.

"I think Jim and Trixie have the right idea. I think that we should also invite Tansy to go with us. This does affect her," Honey added.

Brian, Mart, Dan, and Diana nodded their agreement, backing Honey’s suggestion up.

Roiya, who had been sitting quietly, listening and watching everyone, got out of her chair.

"Well, I have no intentions of tramping through woods and brushes or looking around a dirty, dusty place for a cellar or anything else. Since Tansy is going to be invited to go with you, she can tell me later what is found. So I’ll say my good-byes," Roiya said, heading for the door. She had taken the measure of the young people in the library and felt that she could trust them to treat Tansy right.

"Well, shouldn’t we get started before it gets too late? Don’t forget there is the homecoming game tonight," Madeleine said briskly.

"Mother, do you really mean to come along? The summerhouse isn’t that big, and it is awfully dirty," Honey said. She didn’t want to discourage her mother, but she just couldn’t see her going into such a dirty place.

"Well, maybe I should stay here. But I do want to go down and see it for myself after you find it," Madeleine suggested. "Maybe we can get the cleaning crew out here again and clear up around and in the summerhouse."

"I would also suggest that you take some of the kerosene lamps with you. If you find it, there might not be any light in the room," Matt suggested, glad that his wife decided not to go.

He knew that her heart was in the right place, but he was willing to bet there were spiders in the summerhouse, maybe even in the cellar. Madeleine was frightened to death of spiders. She had tried to get over this phobia, but had never conquered it.

The Bob-Whites and Sirene headed for the garage where the kerosene lamps where kept. They took four of them, making sure that they were ready to be lit. They could see Regan and Tansy in the corral. Jim walked over to them. He explained to them about the cellar and asked Tansy if she wanted to come along.

"Thank you for asking, but I would rather stay here. I’ll be with Regan, so just stop by and give us an update on what you find," Tansy said.

Jim assured her that he would stop by to give them an update. Jim walked back to the others, and they all headed towards Ten Acres.

"So, did you pick up anything from him?" Regan asked.

"Not really. I think he’s decided to wait and see. No sense in getting upset about something that might not be true. But he is determined to find the truth. That I do know. I hope for his sake that I’m not his sister," Tansy answered, watching the Bob-Whites and Sirene walk away.

Chapter 9

The summerhouse was hidden behind bushes, and vines covered the building. Trixie had Mart grab some saws and garden gloves from the Wheeler’s tool shed. She had remembered how hard it had been to clear away the vines from the clubhouse. The guys worked together and, in no time flat, enough vines had been cleared away to let some light into the summerhouse.

The Bob-Whites entered the small building.

"I think we’re in the right place. Jim’s great-uncle is pointing to that far corner," Sirene said. She pointed to the left far corner.

Jim and Trixie walked over there. Jim bent down and felt along the floor as Trixie felt along the wall.

"Okay, I think I’ve got something here," Jim said.

He had found an indentation in the wood. There was just enough room for his fingers to slide under the indent. He pulled it up, and the floor opened up as he pulled. A rod dropped down on both sides of the raised floor. Jim noticed that there were small holes in the floor joist.

Trixie had also noticed the holes. She grabbed one of the rods and placed it in the hole. Jim grabbed the other rod and did the same thing. Trixie and Jim backed away.

The Bob-Whites stood looking at the opening for a few moments.

"I think Diana should look down there first. After all, she’s the one that figured out that we needed to look in the summerhouse," Trixie said.

"I’d rather not. I’m more than willing to follow someone, if it’s all the same to you," Diana said with a shudder. She could only imagine the cobwebs and spiders that were lurking down there.

"Why don’t we light up one of the kerosene lamps and look down there? I know we have flashlights, but I think we’ll need more light than that," Mart suggested.

Dan took Mart’s suggestion and lit a kerosene lamp and handed it to Jim. Jim held the lamp over the opening. Trixie peered inside.

"There are stairs! They look like they go straight down!" Trixie said excitedly.

"We did it! We found it!" Honey said, just as excited.

"I hate to rain on your parade, but I think we need to follow the stairs, just to be sure," Sirene said.

"Why? Is Jim’s great-uncle saying something?" Diana asked.

"Well, he is pointing down the stairs, so it probably is what we’re looking for. Remember that I’m the pessimist of the group. What if the cellar has caved in or has somehow been blocked so that we can’t get to it?" Sirene asked.

Dan rolled his eyes. "We’ll really have to work on that. We found the entrance, and when we go down those stairs, we’ll find the cellar, so we can start celebrating now."

"Well, it would be better to wait on the celebrations until we see what were celebrating," Diana said.

"Just be careful going down. The air is probably dead," cautioned Brian.

"Well, since it’s my cellar, I’m going to take lead," Jim stated. The boys lit the rest of the kerosene lamps. Jim started down the stairs with Trixie right behind him. They went down several steps, then Jim stopped.

"Hey, I think it’s safe. The air is musty smelling, but breathable," he yelled back up the stairs. The rest of the Bob-Whites were eager to go down the stairs, but Brian recommended that at least one person stay in the summerhouse in case there was trouble and to make sure that the trapdoor didn’t close on them.

"I’m more than happy to wait here. I hate closed in places," Sirene said. Brian gave her instructions on how long to wait. If they didn’t come back in that time period, she was to go for help. Dan offered to stay behind with Sirene.

"No, you go. Besides, Diana will never get down there unless one of you is in front of her and one behind her. I’ll be fine here. Besides, I’ll know if you all find what you’re supposed to find. Jim’s great-uncle will let me know," Sirene told Dan.

"Hey, are you guys coming or what?" Trixie yelled. She and Jim had decided to wait for the others.

Brian went in, followed by Honey, who was followed by Mart, then Diana, and last was Dan. Each guy held a lamp.

Once Trixie realized that Brian was right behind her, she nudged Jim.

Jim carefully went down more steps, using the two walls that ran alongside the stairs to steady him. Soon, they were at the end of the stairs, facing a long corridor. They could feel air circulating. Jim looked above him and noticed that the top of the corridor had vents in it. The corridor was not wide enough for two people to walk side by side, so they continued to follow each other with Jim leading.

There was an opening at the end of the corridor. Jim stepped into the opening, then moved aside so that the others could step into the room. It was a fairly large room. The lamps lit the room up. There were steel cabinets with doors lined up on every wall. Each cabinet went from ceiling to the floor and about two feet wide. There was a cot, a small table and a chair in the middle of the room. The room looked like it was made out of concrete.

"Wow! Can you believe this room?" Dan asked. "I wonder where the air is coming from?"

Mart looked up. "I would imagine from those vents up there. There must be vents that lead to the outside somewhere."

Jim walked over to one of cabinets. He pulled on the handles and the doors opened. On the inside of the cabinet was a bookshelf filled with books. The rest of the Bob-Whites started opening cabinets, finding the same thing.

Honey had opened a cabinet that was the furthest from the entranceway. This cabinet was different from the rest. It had four drawers on the bottom part of the cabinets. There were books on shelves above the drawers. She opened one of the drawers. Inside were papers placed inside a waterproof bag.

"Hey! I found some papers," Honey announced. The rest of the Bob-Whites rushed over to her.

"They look like birth certificates," Brian said. There were fourteen of them, all in its own bag.

Jim opened up another drawer. This one was deeper than the first drawer. It was stacked with what looked like diaries. Jim opened the next drawer and gasped. Lying on a velvet cloth were jewels: loose diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, several gold chains, and a couple of gold bracelets.

The Bob-Whites were astonished.

"So the rumors of there being a hidden treasure at Ten Acres were true!" Trixie said.

"Oh my goodness! They’re beautiful!" Diana exclaimed, looking at the jewels more closely. "They must be worth a fortune!"

"They’re not the only treasures down here. From what I could see, there are quite a few first editions of some very old books down here, and they look to be in fairly good condition," Brian pointed out.

"Well, what should we do with this stuff?" Honey asked.

"I think we should take the jewels and the birth certificates with us," Jim said. "I think Dad needs to come down here and see what can be done about all these books."

"There’s one more drawer to open," Trixie said.

Jim opened the last drawer. There were a few thin photo albums and pictures in waterproof bags.

"These definitely need to come with us," Jim declared.

"Well, we better gather what we want to take back, because according to my watch, we need to get back to the Manor House if we’re going to leave for the game on time," Brian said.

The girls gathered the items that they had decided to take with them, since the boys were holding the lamps. Diana was the one carrying the jewels. She had carefully wrapped them in the velvet cloth that they had been lying on.

Dan led them back down the corridor and up the stairs. Jim stopped at the entranceway of the room and looked back on last time before following Trixie.

When Dan climbed back into the summerhouse, Sirene was sitting there on the floor waiting. She got up and dusted herself off while she waited for the rest of the Bob-Whites to come up from the stairs.

"So you found it!" she exclaimed. "Jim, your great-uncle has gone on and is at peace."

"Wait until we show you what we found!" Diana said excitedly.

"Let’s wait until we get back to the Manor House," Honey said.

As the excited Bob-Whites and Sirene headed back to the Manor House, it dawned on them. They really did find the cellar, and it did have important papers and albums. Sirene was walking in front of them with Dan. Everyone glanced at her as each of them realized that they had found exactly what she had told them they would find.

Tansy and Regan were waiting for them. Everyone went into the library where Matt and Madeleine were.

Jim explained to them what they had found. Diana laid the jewels out on Matt’s desk. Trixie had been carrying the birth certificates, and Honey had the pictures and albums. They laid those items on the desk as well.

"Well, this is amazing! I will have to go down there so that we can decide what condition the books are in and how to remove them," Matt said.

Madeline had been looking at the jewels. "These are very nice and very beautiful. We need to get them appraised and insured as soon as possible. I think it would be best if you let us put these in the safe for the weekend. On Monday, we will get them taken care of."

Jim had been carefully looking at the birth certificates, some which were brittle with age.

"Look! Here there’s a birth certificate for a Lucas James Frayne. He’s my father’s brother. It looks like he was two years younger than my father," Jim announced.

"This must be him!" Honey said.

As Jim was looking through the birth certificates, the rest of the Bob-Whites, along with Sirene, Tansy and Regan, had been going through the pictures and albums. Honey showed Jim a picture of two red headed teenagers standing in front of a boat, holding up a string of fish. One of the teenagers looked so much like Jim that there was no doubt that it was his father.

Jim took hold of the picture with trembling hands. He looked down and saw the face of his father. He heard a sob and looked up. Tansy was standing near him, her eyes focused on him, tears streaming down her face.

"I’m sorry!" she sobbed as she raced out of the library. Regan ran out, following her out.

Jim had been on the verge of tears himself. He took a deep breath and gathered his emotions in. Madeleine came over and put her arm around her son’s shoulder.

"I think we should put the pictures, albums and birth certificates in a safe place for now. Everyone can look at this stuff tomorrow. There is a lot to take in at this moment. Give yourself time to adjust to the fact that you have some of your history back," she told Jim gently.

"Your mother is right! Besides you kids need to eat and get ready for the big game tonight," Matt said.

"I hope Tansy will be all right," Honey said, a bit worried.

"I’m sure Regan will calm her down. As difficult as this is for Jim, it has to be just as difficult for Tansy," Brian added.

"Just think Jim. If you had or have an uncle, maybe he’s Tansy’s father!" Trixie said.

"That sounds more likely than my dad being her father," Jim said, voice a little gruff. He turned to his parents. "I would like to see if Lucas is still alive, if that’s all right with you?"

"Of course. I bet your father already has in mind whom he can get hold of to investigate," Madeleine said, looking at her husband. Matt nodded his head in agreement.

The Bob-Whites left everything in the library and went upstairs to wash up. They were going to get dressed for the homecoming game, then eat.

During this time, Tansy was out in the stables, crying on Regan’s shoulders. It took Regan a while to calm her down.

"Okay, you want to tell me what that was all about?" Regan asked gently.

Tansy sighed. "There was just too much. I saw that picture, and it was like I knew that it was my dad. Then Jim’s emotions hit me. Boy, does that guy have some powerful emotions! I felt like I was hit by a brick."

"Was it Jim’s father?" Regan asked.

Tansy shook her head. "I don’t think so. Although both boys had red hair, one of the boys had blue eyes. I think that was the one that was my dad. He also had a smaller built than his brother. I got my green eyes from my mother."

"Which means maybe he’s alive," Regan said. "If I know Jim, and I do, he’ll try to find out."

"The fact is that there was nothing there to prove that I’m related to anyone from Ten Acres. So, it’s still a big if," Tansy said, a bit despairingly.

"Don’t give up so quickly. Don’t forget that there are diaries in that cellar. Maybe there is something there about your mother. If that doesn’t pan out, I bet that Jim would still be willing to have a DNA test done," Regan said.

"No, if we can’t come up with more evidence that points to me being related to Jim, then I’m just going to drop it," Tansy stated. "I have to get home. I’m sure that my aunt is anxious to hear about what was found."

Regan was reluctant to let her go. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

Tansy looked up at Regan. "Do you want to?"

"Yes, very much. Tell you what. Since you don’t seem to mind the cold weather so much, how about a picnic on the bluffs? I’ll bring the food and meet you there about noon time."

Tansy thought about that. "Okay, you bring the sandwiches, and I’ll bring the desert. I’ll also bring the tea. My aunt makes the best tea."

"Okay, then. It’s a date," Regan said. Tansy smiled at him as she left.

As he watched her disappear into the woods, it just hit him. He actually had a date! He couldn’t remember the last time he had had a date. Oh sure, there was Brenda, who worked at the local coffee shop, but what they did when they got together, he wouldn’t exactly call dating. Brenda had no desire for a real relationship. She just wanted someone to play with. Regan was just beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, he needed more than a playmate.

Friday After the Homecoming Game

After the game, the Bob-Whites decided to go back to the Manor House and celebrate there. It had been a close

game, sixteen to fourteen. Cook had made up a cold plate of ham, turkey and roast beef, along with a plate of different types of cheese. There also was a chocolate cake just waiting for them to enjoy. After making up sandwiches and digging into the chocolate cake, they discussed everything that they had learned that day. They decided to go back into the cellar the next day to see if they could find a diary for the year before Tansy was born and for the year after she was born. The Dance committee had decided that the gym could be finished on Saturday afternoon instead of in the morning. This left Saturday morning for the Bob-Whites to explore the cellar.

The boys said goodnight as Jim and Brian went into Jim’s bedroom, and Dan and Mart went into the bedroom next to Jim’s. The girls went into Honey’s bedroom.

"That was a close game! I may not like Brad, but he is a pretty good quarterback," Sirene said after the girls had changed into sleeping gear. "That is when his mind is on the game. He and Lauren must’ve have made up."

"I didn’t know that they had been fighting," Diana said.

"When aren’t they fighting?" Trixie asked rhetorically. "I don’t see why two people who argue as much as those two do would even want to be a couple."

"Who knows?" Honey answered. "I’ve seen a lot of things this year dealing with couples that completely baffle me."

Sirene smiled at Honey. "You’re only baffled because you’re not looking for a man. You also already have a pretty good idea of what you want in a relationship. There are a lot of teens who have no idea what they want and think that they need to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. So they just blunder around trying to figure it out."

"I guess we have been lucky. We know that if we need a date for anything that we can ask any of our guys, and they would be willing to escort us," Diana said.

"Hey, speak for yourself! I only have two options. Jim or Dan, because there is no way that I would ask Mart or Brian to escort me to a school function," Trixie exclaimed.

Honey giggled. "For everyone’s peace of mind, I hope you talk to Jim first before asking Dan. I get the feeling that my big brother would be a bit upset if you asked Dan to escort you somewhere."

Trixie blushed. "Well, considering that Dan seems to be taken, I guess it would be better to ask Jim, that is, if I need an escort to anything."

"Don’t tell me that you and Jim still haven’t come to an understanding?" Sirene asked. "I wonder what he’s waiting for?"

"Who says he’s waiting for anything? Maybe he just thinks of me as a good friend," Trixie said.

"I do! Don’t forget I’ve seen both of you together, and I have also seen what happens to your auras. People who have intermingling auras usually are soul mates. You and Jim definitely are intermingling."

"What sort of intermingling? Are they turning into one aura like Honey and Brian’s, or are they more like Mart’s and mine?" Diana asked.

Sirene looked over at Honey.

Honey smiled. "Yes, Diana told me what you told her about Brian and me. Naturally, I told Trixie. I guess the real question is who’s going to tell Brian?"

"No one! He wouldn’t want that sort of information. He’s the type that has to learn things the hard way. All I can say is I hope you have as much patience and understanding as I think you have. You’re going to need it!" Sirene answered.

Honey just smiled at Sirene, more than willing to take on Brian Belden. Honey wasn’t going to admit it to anyone, but she had started feeling a lot more confident about her relationship with Brian after Diana had passed on what Sirene had said about Brian’s aura. That explained a lot of insights Honey had picked up over the last year.

"So, are you going to tell me about Jim?" Trixie demanded.

"Okay. Let me start with Jim’s aura, because we have already talked about yours. Jim is the only person I’ve seen with a dark green aura, so I have no idea what that means. I’ve been keeping a diary of his traits so that if I see another green one I can compare. I do know that he likes a lot of space between him and most people. I also noticed that, except for Brian’s, other people’s auras always give way to his. So I know that he is very strong in his emotions and personality. Basically, when Jim Frayne makes a final decision about something, then that’s the end of the discussion. He has the strength of will and the determination to accomplish anything he sets his mind to. Does everyone agree with this assessment of him so far?"

The girls nodded their heads.

"Not surprisingly, Jim also has a ring of black around his aura. Diana has told me enough of his background so that I know why it’s there. People who have suffered physical abuse usually have this ring. The worse the abuse, the darker the color. Which is why I was very surprised to see a dark ring around Brian. His is darker than Jim’s, which is very strange," Sirene looked thoughtful for a few moments.

"Wait just a minute! Stop right there!" Trixie cried. "What are you saying? That Brian has been abused?"

"You must be mistaken! There is no way that Mr. and Mrs. Belden would abuse their kids!" Honey added.

"I agree. Both Mr. and Mrs. Belden have a very clear, bright aura. Every abuser I’ve seen has dark auras. Brian could have been abused by someone else other than your parents. But if that’s true, why wouldn’t he have told someone? I can’t see him hiding something like that," Sirene said. "All I know for sure is that Brian has a black ring around his aura. It’s dark and very thick. The only other times I’ve seen one like his, havebeen on people who have been seriously abused."

The girls were quiet for a while, thinking about what Sirene had told them.

"Maybe it happened when he was real young, and he doesn’t remember it happening," Honey suggested.

"That could be it. I can tell you one thing for sure. If it happened while Mart and I were very young, Brian could have hidden it. Moms was very busy with three toddlers in the house. Brian wouldn’t have wanted to worry her. That could be why he’s so serious all the time," Trixie said thoughtfully.

"The mind has a way of protecting us. His mind may have totally shut out those memories, because he wasn’t able to handle it. But someday it might come back to him, when he’s more able to handle the truth. Just remember that all of this is guess work. I have to admit that I don’t know everything about auras. His black ring could just be part of a personality trait that I haven’t run into yet. Just be aware that he may have something bad in his past, so if he starts showing signs of depression or having nightmares, that may be the time to bring up this subject," Sirene suggested.

Trixie and Honey looked at Sirene in astonishment.

"There is no way that I can just sit here and wait to see if Brian happens to remember being abused," Trixie said.

"Trixie’s right. We can’t just ignore this. We have to help him," Honey cried.

"Trixie, Honey, listen to me for a moment," Diana said quietly. "This might be hard for you, but this isn’t about you two. It’s about Brian. If something did happen to him, he’s forgotten it or has been hiding it all this time. The fact is that Brian isn’t ready to face this yet. Sirene is right. We have to wait for him to seek help. I hate to tell you this but we’re probably not going to be the ones he would ask for help from."

He might be too embarrassed to talk to any of you girls about this. I think the first person he would talk to would be Jim," Sirene added.

"Or he may just seek counseling and not tell any of us about it. Brian’s very intelligent. If he starts having nightmares and starts feeling depressed, he would talk to someone about it. He’s not going to just let it go," Honey said. "I think we’ll just have to trust Brian to know when to ask for help."

"And Sirene did say that she’s not positive that anything did happen. It might just be part of his personality," Trixie said.

The girls knew that at this time there wasn’t anything they could do, but each one of them would keep this conversation in the back of their minds and keep an eye on Brian.

"Anyway, back to Jim and Trixie. Now this is something that I’ve only seen a couple of times. But when Trixie is around, Jim’s aura invades Trixie’s, turning hers into a light green, which surrounds her. The black ring disappears, but Jim’s aura stays dark green, so I can see the line of connection. So all I can say is that from my past experience that any mish-mashing of auras usually means that those two people are meant to be together."

"So, if that’s true, then I can relax and eventually we’ll get together, right?" Trixie asked. "I guess that covers all of us. I did tell Mart that he and I shared the same type of aura. He told me that you had already talked to him about it. Then he went on about us sharing such close genetic coding that he wasn’t surprised."

"It doesn’t cover Dan," Honey said with a teasing glint in her eyes. "So tell us, Sirene, about our Daniel."

"Think chocolate, and you have Dan. He has a brown aura, but it’s not dark or scary. It’s sweet and inviting. He’s like Jim, in wanting a lot of space between him and others. He also has a very thin black ring. He wants to be outgoing and friendly, but his past has taught him that he can be hurt, so he waits for others to come to him. When he decides that he likes someone, then he will stand by him or her no matter what. Loyalty means a lot to him. He’s capable of great charm and can be sincere at the same time."

"So you think of him like chocolate, do you? Why does that sound risqué?" Diana asked.

Sirene threw a pillow at Diana. "You’ve been hanging around Mart too long."

"Oh no! I don’t want to know about Mart teaching Diana about being risqué. Major ick factor!" groaned Trixie.

Honey started giggling. "I’m not sure why, but that doesn’t sound right."

Sirene, Trixie and Diana joined Honey in laughter.

"So, has he kissed you yet?" Diana asked Sirene after the laughter died down.

"How come you’re asking about Dan and me? We’ve only known each other for about a month," Sirene answered.

"Because we already know that Mart and I haven’t gotten to that point yet. Brian is dithering, and who knows what Jim’s plans are. So that leaves you and Dan," Diana answered.

"Brian is not dithering. He and I have an understanding," Honey said in Brian’s defense.

"If you say so, but that still leaves Sirene and Dan," Trixie said. "Now this is a couple I can hear about, no ick factor involved."

"Well, at this point there is no ick factor to tell. We do a lot of teasing, and there have been moments that he’s got close enough to cause the chill factor to go in effect. But that’s all I have to report at this time," Sirene said.

"I don’t know about that. I noticed that when he was standing behind you the other day after karate, it looked more like the can’t catch my breath factor," Trixie teased Sirene.

"Can’t get anything past your eagle eye, can I? Okay, so he’s indicated a few times that he would like to move things along. But I’m not sure what I want to do. As I’ve mentioned to Diana, I’m used to calling the shots in a relationship," Sirene admitted. "Dan’s different. I actually like him as a friend."

"Just how many boyfriends have you had?" Trixie asked

"Didn’t you like your other boyfriends?" Honey asked at the same time.

Sirene smiled. "One question at a time please. In the last two years, I’ve had about six boyfriends, and no, I didn’t really like them. I was going through my embarrass my mother stage, so I picked boys that weren’t very decent. That’s why Dan is causing me so much trouble. I really like him a lot. He makes me feel good about myself, even if I do have a somewhat scarlet past. But because of my past, I can’t very well go around acting like some innocent virgin."

"Why not? If I remember right, you told us that you didn’t sleep around, so why would Dan think differently?" Diana asked.

"That’s right, I did say that, but I didn’t say I was a virgin. Dan knows that. Just like I know he isn’t either," Sirene said quietly.

Trixie, Honey and Diana were surprised. They knew that Sirene had run with a wild crowd before coming to Sleepyside, but they didn’t know about this. They weren’t too surprised about Dan, considering the life he led before coming to Sleepyside. After all, they might be a bit naïve, but they weren’t stupid, even if the male population of the Bob-Whites seemed to think so.

"Did Dan tell you that?" Honey asked.

"No, he didn’t have to. You don’t belong to a gang without an initiation. That usually means committing a crime and having sex with someone. That proves you’re a man. By sharing crime and women, it creates a bond. It’s different with each gang, but the elements are the same," Sirene explained.

"How do you know so much about gangs?" Trixie demanded.

"My dad was on the gang unit in Miami. I asked questions; he answered. He was killed by gang members. We were walking out to the car when he was gunned down. They told me he was dead before he even hit the ground. I remember holding my hands over the wound, trying to get it to stop bleeding. I don’t really remember much more than that," Sirene said quietly. Her gray eyes had tears in them.

"Oh, how awful! It must have been hard on you," Honey cried with tears in her eyes also.

Trixie and Diana were both holding back tears.

"Yes, I’m still have nightmares about it, but they don’t come as often. This is the first time I’ve told anyone about it, besides Dan. So I guess I’m learning how to deal with it," Sirene admitted.

The girls were quiet for a few minutes. Each feeling sorry for Sirene and at the same time thankful that they still had their parents.

"So, now you’ve got me curious. What was sex like?" Diana asked, getting the subject back on Sirene’s love life.

"To be honest, it wasn’t the greatest. Not anything like they write in the romance novels. But then again, he was loaded, and I was doing it for the wrong reasons. It hurt a little, but not that bad and it was messy. Since I told my boyfriend that I didn’t really like it the first time, he talked me into trying it again. It was a little better the second time. Even though we used protection, I worried about getting pregnant. Then when I told him that I didn’t want to have sex with him anymore, he dumped me. So it wasn’t a very good experience. I wished I had waited," Sirene said with a sigh. "My advice to you all is wait until you’re willing to take on the responsibilities of a baby. I found out that even if you use protection, you can still get pregnant."

"Do you think once a teenager has sex that it’s easier or harder to ignore it?" Diana asked.

Sirene smiled. "Well, until I met Dan, I didn’t have any trouble turning the guys down. I had already decided that when I have sex again, it will be on my terms. But I have to admit that Dan can be very tempting."

"Like chocolate?" Trixie asked innocently, smiling.

"Oh, you!" This time Sirene threw the pillow at Trixie. "Just do me a favor, if any of you are thinking about having sex, please come talk to me first. Believe me, with the crowd I ran with, I know a lot more about it than you all do."

"Well, I don’t think we have to worry about that anytime soon," Trixie said. "Especially if we’re going to wait on Jim, Brian and Mart."

"I can guarantee that Mart and Jim will be ready before Brian is," Honey said, thinking about the talk they had on his birthday.

"Well, that is how it should be. I think you all are very lucky. Each one of you has so much to look forward to. Since you’re interested in guys that have a dream for the future, they’re not going to do anything that might compromise that dream. They’re interested in real relationships and will be willing to wait," Sirene said.

"Well, I’m willing to wait, but once I’m done with school, Mart Belden better look out!" Diana declared, giggling.

"Wouldn’t it be perfectly perfect if we’re all still together after we’re done with college?" Honey said dreamily.

All of a sudden, Sirene sat up and very still. Her eyes turned silver and she stared blankly.

"Sirene, what’s wrong?" Diana asked anxiously, putting her hand on Sirene’s shoulder.

Sirene closed her eyes and shook her head. "I’m not sure. It was like I was trying to see a figure through the fog. I’ve never seen that before."

Honey got the chills listening to her.

"Well, it’s gone now. I don’t know about you all, but I’m for bed," Sirene said, yawning. "Tomorrow promises to be a busy day."

"I’m with you," Diana said, getting up. She and Sirene were going to sleep in the room next to Honey’s.

Sirene and Diana said good night to Trixie and Honey as they left.

Trixie and Honey got into bed and turned off Honey’s light.

"I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier, but are you okay?" Trixie quietly asked her best friend.

"Right now I am. I admit that when it first came out that Tansy might be Jim’s sister, I was upset. But now it seems like she just might be a cousin. I really hope so, because things will get very complicated if Tansy ends up being Jim’s sister," Honey answered.

"I hope Tansy’s his cousin too. Jim would be very hurt if he found out that his dad had left a pregnant woman to marry his mom," Trixie said.

"Even if Jim and Tansy end up being brother and sister that doesn’t mean that Jim’s dad did anything wrong. Maybe he didn’t know about Tansy’s mom being pregnant," Honey suggested.

"That could be. But I think you would rather Tansy be his cousin than his sister," Trixie said sleepily. "But can you just imagine Jim’s face, if Tansy is his sister, once he realizes that he has an older sister?"

Honey giggled. "I didn’t think about that. He would have an older sister and a younger sister putting him in the middle. Now that could be interesting."

"Why do you think Tansy ran out of the room crying?" Trixie asked.

"I don’t know, but it was a very emotional moment. Maybe she realized that she’s closer to solving who her father was than she had every imagined she would be. I think the answers are in the diaries."

"Wouldn’t be the first time that a diary solved a mystery," Trixie answered.

"Well, maybe tomorrow, we’ll find the answers. Good night," Honey said, turning over to her side.

"Night, Honey," Trixie said. "Tomorrow might bring answers to several questions."

 

 

Meanwhile In Mart and Dan’s Room…

Dan and Mart were stretched out, each on a twin bed, each wearing boxers and a T-shirt.

"So everything is set for tomorrow night?" Dan asked Mart.

"Yep, I confirmed the arrangements today. I have to admit that I’m surprised that we’ve managed to pull this off without alerting Trixie. As far as I can see, no one is even aware of anything going on," Mart answered.

"I think we were lucky that they’ve been so busy lately," Dan said. "I just found out today that Sirene has never gone to a formal dance before, so I really want tomorrow night to be special. She hasn’t been treated very well by the guys in her life so far."

"I take it that you plan on changing that?" Mart inquired.

"Yeah, I do. She’s pretty special, and I don’t mean just because she’s psychic. I have to admit that I even like her acerbic side. Her sarcasm towards people she doesn’t like can be very entertaining. But I think the one thing I like most about her is that she would protect her friends with her life.

"I’m glad that she and Diana have become best friends. I love my sister and brother, but sometimes it gets a little crowded. It’s been nice just spending time with Diana alone or with you and Sirene."

"I noticed that you and Diana are getting to know each other better. Do you think it’s wise to spend so much time with her?" Dan asked.

"How else am I going to develop the friendship that I want?" Mart asked.

"I can understand that part, but I would think that it’s hard on you, physically that is. After all, you have a least four years to wait before you can move to a more physical relationship."

"I am only human. But my dad made it very clear to Brian and me that we might not be able to control our physical response to someone, but we can control what we do about it. Fact is I’m not ready to take the responsibility for what might happen if we did make love. That is a huge step."

"Yes, it is. I’m glad that you’re willing to wait. There’s plenty of time for that. I guess I was just checking in to see that your hormones weren’t going to over take your brains."

"I can appreciate that, because I was going to ask you the same thing about Sirene. Things seem to be moving fast between you two."

"Well, Sirene and I are in a different situation. We’ve both grew up a little faster than most of you, and we both have some experience in this area. Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything that would hurt her. Which means no sex unless we both fall in love with each other. But to tell you the truth, it might be difficult. She’s used to guys using her. So she’s protecting her heart with a vengeance."

"I don’t believe it. Did you just use the L word? Surely you can’t be in love? You just met her!"

Dan looked over at Mart. "What does time have to do with anything? Maybe you Beldens and Jim want to pussyfoot around, but I’m not like any of you. I don’t have a problem with being in love and admitting it. I’m going to have to give Sirene time, because she’s not ready to hear it yet, so this is just between us."

"I guess if you’ve already had a few girlfriends in the past, it’s easier to tell the real thing from just infatuation. That’s why I’m taking my time, not because I’m afraid of falling in love, but I want it to be really love."

"That makes sense. I think the best anyone can do is to go with his gut feelings. Sometimes that’s all we have to go on."

Mart laughed. "Well, as long as those feelings are above the belt and not below."

Dan chuckled. "So true, Belden, so true."

Both guys said good night and turned off the lights.

 

Meanwhile in Jim’s Room…

‘So, how are you really doing?" Brian asked his best friend. Jim was on his bed, wearing a pair of sweat pants. Brian was lying on the roll away bed in a pair of pajama bottoms.

"Hanging in there. I keep telling myself that there is no way that my dad would have left a pregnant woman to raise a child on her own. So Tansy’s father has to be my uncle. I also keep wondering why Dad never mentioned a brother to me?"

"Hopefully, the diaries will give us some information. But even if it turns out that Tansy is your sister, your dad may not have known about her. Tansy’s mother may have never told whoever Tansy’s father is that she was expecting."

"That’s true. I’m not sure, though, that I like the idea of having an older sister. Especially one that seems a little strange."

"I’m sure that has more to do with upbringing than with genetics. If she had been allowed to go to school like everyone else and had more social contact, she might be more normal."

"That could be it. But I’m not betting on it. Since Sirene came into town, there seems to be a lot of strange things going on."

"I’ve noticed that. I have to admit that I just don’t know how to take her. She was right on the money about the cellar and what we would find there. I’ve been trying to figure out how she could have known about any of that. So far, I haven’t come up with any ideas."

"Yeah, that threw me too. Maybe you and I should rethink some of our convictions. As everyone has pointed out to us, there are a lot of things that are unexplained."

"I’m not ready to jump on the band wagon just yet."

"I guess all we can do is keep our eyes open. I’m sure that if Trixie or Honey had any doubt, this incident convinced them."

"Since they were half way to believing her, yeah, I would have to agree with that," Brian said. "Speaking of Honey, you’re going to have to be very careful how you handle things if Tansy turns out to be your sister. I think that Honey will feel insecure about her place in your life if that happens."

‘I know that she knows I love her, but you’re right! Having a biological sister could give her some doubt. If that happens, I’ll just need to be sure that I let her know that she’s my sister, and that we have a special relationship that no one can interfere with."

"I did learn something new today. I always thought that Honey got her spirit from your dad, but after this afternoon, I realize that she may have inherited it from your mother instead."

Jim chuckled. "I know what you mean. You could have knocked me over with a feather when she said she believed in psychics and then wanted to go help find the cellar."

"What impressed me was the way she told your dad off. I’ve always had this image of her as being subservient to your dad. Boy, was I wrong!" Brian said, laughing.

"Well, I have to admit that Mother usually lets Dad make all the decisions, and I’ve never seen her disagree with him over anything. So I was a little surprised by her today."

"Changing the subject here, but do you still plan on talking to Trixie tomorrow night?" Brian asked.

"Yes, I do. So don’t worry! If everything goes all right, then after tomorrow night, Honey should have some spare time for you."

"As it should be, my friend, as it should be." Brian said. "We need to get some shut eye. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day."

Jim commented, "You’re right. Tomorrow should be not only busy, but interesting."   

Chapter 11

Saturday Morning

"I’ve been thinking," Trixie announced at the breakfast table.

"Do we really want to ascertain what my kinswoman has been ruminating before we’re done consuming our regalement?" Mart asked the group while stuffing muffins in his mouth.

"Yes we do. As a matter of fact, I would rather hear what Trixie has to say than watch you stuff your face," Brian commented dryly.

"I’ll second that! So speak, Trixie, the floor is yours," Jim said grinning.

"As I was saying, before being rudely interrupted, is that I think we should take a look at Tansy’s mother’s diary," Trixie said. "I was thinking that it seemed kind of strange that Tansy’s mother would describe the house but not Tansy’s father. Most women that write in diaries will mention something about the man they’re interested in."

"Trixie’s right! So there is a good chance that Tansy’s mother described his eyes or his hair color or some thing to identify him," Honey said.

Brian looked at Honey, while Jim had his eyes on Trixie. Both wondering what would they find if they read Honey’s and Trixie’s diaries. Not that they would read it without permission but they were curious.

"Seems to me that keeping a diary is a good way to let secrets out. Chances are eventually someone is going to read it," Sirene commented.

"Now that I think about it, the diary did seem impersonal. There was a lot of description about the summerhouse and the house itself, but was very vague on why she was there. Near the end of the diary, she talked about a son being born and how she wished that she had a son," Jim said.

"Oh, how awful for Tansy to read something like that!" Honey exclaimed.

"Well, I have to admit that I did just scanned through it. But I’m willing to bet that Tansy has read every word of it. If there was anything in that diary to point her out who father is, I think she would have mentioned it," Jim added.

"I didn’t think of that. But you’re right. She saw the same pictures as you did. So if there was anything in her mother’s diary about eye color or built than she would have caught it," Trixie said with a sigh.

"Well, it was a good idea. I know that I’m ready to hit the cellar this morning. Who’s with me?" Jim asked.

Everyone but Dan and Sirene, nodded their heads in agreement.

"Count me out. I don’t like small-enclosed areas. I also told Regan that I would help with the horses. I knew that you all would want to head back to the cellar this morning," Sirene said.

"I’m with Sirene. I figure that helping out with the horses would give you more time in the cellar. We have to be at the gym around one o’clock and the girls will have to start getting ready for the dance as soon as we get back. That is if we want them to be on time," Dan said grinning.

"Well, I’m not going to argue that statement. I already know that it’s going to take a lot of time to get this mass of hair up," Sirene said, grimacing.

"Just out of curiosity. Why didn’t you make an appointment for a beautician to create a magnificent coiffure for you?" Mart asked.

"Because the only time they could do it was at ten am this morning. My hair would have been a disaster by seven o’clock this evening. So Diana is going to help me with it," Sirene answered.

"Well, at least you have some hope! My hair is hopeless! There is no way that I can dress it up!" Trixie moaned.

"Hey, I happen to like your hair just the way it is," Jim assured her.

"Then that says it all, doesn’t it?" Honey said smiling.

"Well, if we don’t get moving, we won’t have time to complete everything we want to," Brian said, pushing back his chair.

Sirene and Dan headed towards the stables as the rest of the Bob-Whites when down the hill leading to the back of Crabapple Farm. The Bob-Whites stopped in and inquired as to whether Mrs. Belden needed anything done before they went over to Ten Acres. She told them that Bobby was over at the Lynches, so she didn’t need anything done at this time. As they walked towards Ten Acres, Trixie and Honey watched as Brian was laughing at something that Jim was telling him. Both had been thinking about what Sirene had told them last night. As much as Trixie wanted to confront her brother, Honey had convinced her to do some investigating first. Trixie was going to talk to her Mother and see if she could pick up some clues that way. They both knew that it might take awhile to discover the truth but they were determine to find out one way or the other.

"I thought I smelled cinnamon buns in here?" Peter inquired coming into the kitchen.

"Well, you did, but the Bob-Whites beat you to them," laughed Helen.

"That beats all! What good is having them spend the night somewhere else if I can’t even get one breakfast bun?" complained Peter.

Helen slowly turned to face her husband, started untying her apron. "Well, since the house is empty and I can assure you that no one will darken our doors for the next few hours, I can think of a few things we could do that we can’t do when they’re here."

Peter stood up, with a gleam in his eyes, walked over to the back door and locked it and pulled down the window shade. Then he walked over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. When his lips met hers, the fire started. Helen pulled away slightly, trying to catch her breath. "I think we should take this upstairs,"

Peter lifted her up and sat her on the sideboard. "Oh, I think here will be fine."

A few seconds later Helen was in total agreement with her husband.

 

 

Meanwhile at Ten Acres…

When the Bob-Whites arrived at Ten Acres they were surprised to find Tansy, Matt and Madeleine standing in front of the summerhouse. They noticed that Jupiter and Lady were tied to a branch.

"Hello, I was wondering how long it would be before all of you showed up," Madeleine greeted the Bob-Whites. "I manage to talk Matt into stopping and taking a peek at the cellar. We arrived a few minutes ago and found Tansy waiting."

"I hope you don’t mind, but I would like to see the cellar," Tansy said quietly.

"Of course we don’t mind. We know how important this is to you,’ Honey said to Tansy.

"Since there’s no talking your mother out of this, we might as well get this over with," Matt said.

"Your father had already planned on going down the cellar. He had Regan open the trapdoor first thing this morning and had a battery operated fan blowing fresh air down there," Madeleine commented as she followed the Bob-Whites into the summerhouse. "We’ll have to have this place cleaned up."

"I told you it was dusty and dirty. I doubt if the stairs, the tunnel and the cellar are any cleaner. There may still be spiders down there," Matt told his wife.

"Yes, you told me and told me, but I’m still going down there!" Madeleine said determinedly.

"Have it your way, but I don’t want to hear any complaints," Matt said, sighing.

It was decided that Brian would take the lead this time, with Honey following him, he went down the stairs. Trixie followed with Mart and Diana right behind her. Jim indicated to Tansy that she was to go next, but Tansy told Jim that she had to go last. Jim wondered about that but decided not to push the issue. Jim went to the steps and waited at the bottom for his mother, she was right behind him with Matt following. They followed Jim down the corridor that led to the cellar.

"Oh, how wonderful! It’s like a secret room that you’re always reading about," Madeleine exclaimed as she entered the room and started walking around. "Look at all these books. Show me where you found the jewels?"

Jim showed his Mother the drawers that had held the jewels and birth certificates. Then he opened the drawers that held the diaries. Madeleine picked up a diary and gently opened it. It was dated two years ago.

Matt had been looking at the walls and ceilings. "I think this place must have been built during World War II. I would guess that your great-uncle James built this then moved his treasures down here. Of course why he did that is unknown. He could have thought that Japan might win the war or Hitler. So he could have built this to keep it away from them. Maybe the diaries will tell us."

"It looks like someone kept the diaries up. Some of them look to be very old," Madeleine said as she looked at the other diaries.

Tansy walked over. "I was born in March, so my mother and father had to have gotten together late June or early July the year before I was born. That’s the one we need."

Just then Matt called over to Madeleine. There was an extremely rare book he had found and her wanted he to see it.

After Madeleine walked away, Jim came and stood by Tansy while she looked through the diaries.

"I found something!" Trixie cried.

Trixie had noticed that the bottom shelf of one of the bookcases did not have any books. She looked closer at the shelf and had noticed a couple of long shiny tubes. She pulled the tubes out. They were long cylinder tubes made out of metal. Everyone had walked over to Trixie after she had announced that she had found something.

"Here, Trixie, let me see that," Matt said. Trixie handed one of the tubes to Mr. Wheeler.

He unscrewed the top and carefully pulled out a rolled up piece of cloth. The cloth had string tied around it, to keep it in a rolled up position. Mr. Wheeler untied the string, slowly unrolled the cloth. He turned the cloth around so everyone could see it. There was a coat of arms on it. The shield had a green dragon with lightening bolts behind it, underneath were the words: We fight for our country but die for our friends.

"Wow! That must be your family motto," Mart said.

"I love the dragon!" Trixie remarked.

"Someone worked hard on this. What beautiful needle point!" Honey exclaimed.

"And we all know how much you love needle point. Especially if it’s in code," Trixie said teasing Honey. Trixie had finally remembered where she had seen the symbols that Honey had sewn in Brian’s sweater. But she has yet to get to the sweater long enough to decipher it.

"I love the combination of threads and someone used very intricate stitches. Someone very talented did this piece. I wonder how old it is?" Tansy said.

"We can have the cloth tested. That would give us some idea of a time line. But it can’t be that old because usually a family motto is in some foreign language such as Latin or Greek. I would say that someone translated the family motto to English," Matt answered.

"But remember Matt, this could have been done right after the Fraynes came to this country. This cloth could be anywhere from a hundred years old to ten years old," Madeleine reminded her husband.

"True, since we don’t know when the Fraynes settled in America. This is a very interesting find. It seems like this cellar has the history of the Fraynes in it," Matt said.

"Well, until we can get it tested, we better put it back in it’s case," Madeleine recommended.

Trixie and Jim had opened the other tube. They unrolled the heavy stiff paper. They had found a family tree. It was in more detail then the family bible.

"Look, here’s where it shows that Jim has an uncle!" Trixie exclaimed. Under Jim’s grandfathers name, off to the side, was the name Lucas James Frayne. Under that name was Tansy Marie Gifford.

"If I’m reading this right. This shows that Jim’s grandfather had an illegitimate child named James. That would make him Win’s half-brother. This also shows that Tansy is Lucas’s illegitimate child," Matt explained.

"So that means Tansy is my cousin," Jim said, looking over at Tansy.

"So I was right. When I saw his picture, it was like I knew that he was the one," Tansy said. "Oh, I’m so happy that you’re my cousin and not my brother."

"Hey, I resent that! I happen to be a good brother, ask Honey," Jim said laughing. He too was happy that Tansy was a cousin and not a sister.

"Oh you know what I mean. I can’t wait to tell Regan!" Tansy said excitedly.

"So does this mean that Honey has a new cousin too?" Diana asked.

There was a moment of silence. Honey looked over at Tansy, than Honey walked over to her.

"I know that technically the answer is no. But since Jim is my brother and he is your cousin, then I would be very honored if you would allow me to be your cousin too," Honey told Tansy.

Tansy clasped Honey’s hand, holding it for a moment. She could feel Honey’s mixed emotions. There was sincere happiness for her brother and relief, but most of all there was love.

Tansy dropped Honey’s hand. "I never expected that. You are a very special person. But before I can become any sort of family to any one here, there’s something you need to know about me. I’m a empath."

"Oh, no! Not another psychic! When did Sleepyside become the psychic hotline?" Brian asked.

"I am not psychic!" declared Tansy. "I just very sensitive to people’s emotions. Sirene is the psychic."

"I don’t mean to sound dumb, but what’s an empath?" Trixie asked.

"Empaths are people who can feel what others are feeling. Some have to actually be touching a person; others can just be close to them. Am I right?" Madeleine asked Tansy.

"Yes, that’s about it. I’m a touch empath. Although if someone is feeling a very strong emotion, then I might pick it up. That’s why I stopped going to a public school and why I don’t like crowds. Too many people bumping against me," Tansy added.

"But you’re claiming that you’re not psychic. Sorry, but that sounds like some form of ESP to me." Jim said.

"No it’s not. Just think about it. How do you know when you’re being watched? How do you know when someone is worried or hurt? It’s just something you sense. That’s all my empathic ability is. It’s just more developed than your senses are. Some people have extraordinary hearing or smell. This is the same thing," Tansy explained.

"Well, when you put it that way, it makes a weird sort of sense," Trixie said. "After all Jim has the same special ability towards animals that you have and he’s keeps saying that he’s not psychic."

"That’s right! My so call ability with animals is nothing more then having patience and a knack for copying the sounds they make, " Jim said.

"Well, I think we can add one more person to our family. As for Tansy’s special ability that is something she and Honey have in common. Honey’s always been very sensitive to other people’s emotions," Madeleine stated.

"Well, as long as no one expects me to start calling them cuz or auntie! I guess adding a few more people to my circle of family and friends won’t kill me," Tansy remarked, pretending to scowl.

‘Hey, are the Bob-Whites included in this circle?" Trixie added.

Tansy smiled. "Gosh! I thought that the Bob-Whites came with Honey and Jim."

"That’s right! Just out of curiosity, how would you’re aunt like to be called aunt by all of us?" Jim asked.

"Aunt Roiya! Forget it. She doesn’t even like me calling her aunt. But she will insist on Roiya. She hates being called Miss. Gifford even more than she does being called aunt. I’m going to tell Regan about what we found. I also want to take the diaries that are written the year before I was born and the year I was born, is that all right?" Tansy asked.

"Sure! Now that we found the family tree, we don’t need the diary to find out who your father is," Jim said. "I think I would like to read them from the first one to the last one in order."

"Great! I’ll talk to you later," Tansy said. She walked over and took the two diaries and headed back to the corridor.

"Just a minute. Maybe one of us should walk you back to the steps. It’s very dark in the tunnel," Brian said.

"Don’t be silly. There isn’t anything in this tunnel to stumble on. I’m use to the dark. I’ll be fine," Tansy insisted.

After she left everyone went back to looking at the family tree.

"I have a question. Why wasn’t Tansy and Lucas’s names in the family bible?" Honey asked.

"If Jim’s grandfather wasn’t married to Lucas’s mother, how did Lucas get the name Frayne on his birth certificate?" Trixie asked.

"How can you tell that they’re illegitimate?" Diana asked.

"Please, one question at a time. In a lot of family bibles, children born out of wedlock are not entered in. If Jim’s grandfather knew that he had fathered a child out of wedlock, he would still have the right to have the child carry his name. Since we’ve seen pictures of Lucas with Win, we have to assume that Lucas was brought up knowing he was a Frayne. The reason I know that he and Tansy are illegitimate is because the lines leading from Jim’s grandfather name to Lucas is dotted and the lines leading from Jim’s grandfather and grandmother to Win is solid. Look at Lucas’s line, it only leads to Jim’s grandfather, not his grandmother. Now Lucas’s mother’s name should have been next to Jim’s grandfathers with a dotted line connecting them. Just like Tansy’s mothers name and Lucas’s name is. You’ll notice that there are only dotted lines for them. That tells us that Lucas and Impatia never married," Matt explained.

"Wow! That sure is a lot of information for a piece of paper that just has names, lines, dates and dots on it," Trixie said impressed.

"Where did you learn such details about family trees?" Honey asked her dad.

"Didn’t you ever look at the wall in the hall at your grandmother’s house. If I wanted to marry your mother I had to study that family tree, so that I would know what I was getting into," Matt smiled. "Mother Hart likes to impress people with how detailed the Hart family tree is and how far back it goes."

Madeleine rolled her eyes. "Mother spent a lot of time updating that thing. I’m happy to say that job did not fall on me to continue."

"Gosh, I think that’s neat to have so much information about your family history,’ Diana said.

Jim had been quiet after Tansy had left. He was having trouble taking all of this in. For years he had thought that his biological family was lost to him, like they didn’t even insist. Now he had some part of them back. He honestly couldn’t say what he was feeling. His emotions where mixed.

"This has been an experience. But we need to get back to the house. Your mother and I have a few things that we need to take care of," Matt said. "We’ll take the Coat of arms and the family tree back with us. We need to have them look at by a professional and cleaned up. Then, if it’s all right with Jim, I think we should frame them."

"Oh, Matthew, what a wonderful idea," Madeleine cried.

"Thanks, Dad. I would like that," Jim said quietly.

After Matt and Madeleine left, the Bob-Whites stayed looking at more of the books. They found books about history, biographies, old cookbooks, and books dating back to the 1800’s. They found mysteries and romances. Mart had discovered a first edition of Tom Sawyer. Diana discovered books about art and artifacts.

"Goodness, Sleepyside library would love to have some of these," Honey said. "What caught your interest, Brian?"

She walked over to him, where he was looking a thick, plain looking book.

Brian looked up, his brown eyes shining with excitement. "This is an old medical book, dated 1802. This whole shelf is about medicine. Most of it is very old but by reading them in order, it tells the history of medicine."

"Then, they’re yours," Jim said. "I know that Trixie loves mysteries, so the cabinet with all of Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Radcliffs are hers. Mart can take the old dictionaries that he’s been eyeing. Diana can have the art book she was looking at."

"Jim are you sure? Shouldn’t you wait until your father get that book expert out here before giving anything away?" Brian asked. "Maybe you should talk to your parents about this first."

"I’m sure. I’m the legal heir. According to my great-uncle James last will and testimony, everything he owned belongs to me. So why shouldn’t I give away some books if I want to? I also want to give some of those jewels that we found to Tansy, plus anything she might want that’s in here. It doesn’t seem fair that she didn’t inherit anything," Jim said stubbornly.

"Then to be fair to her, we shouldn’t take anything until she decides what she wants," Honey said.

"I know that I would feel more comfortable in taking these books after you’ve talked with your parents and Tansy about it," Brian said.

"Brian’s right. As much as I would love to have these Lucy Radcliffe books, I think it would be better if we wait,’ Trixie said agreeing with her brother.

"All right! I’ll talk to Dad and Tansy first," Jim said.

"Well, I don’t know about everyone else here, but my stomach says that it’s time to ingest some ambrosial sustenance," Mart said.

"If that means you’re hungry, that’s nothing new," Trixie remarked. "But we do need to get going. We’re going to have to hurry if we want to eat lunch before going to the gym."

"I forgot all about that! Who’s the moron that volunteered us to help with the decorations?" Mart asked, as the group closed up the cabinets and headed out of the cellar.

"I believe this time you’re the one that opened your big mouth," Diana said. "If I remember correctly, when Miss Anderson batted her big blue eyes at you, asking if you knew any students that might be willing to help out, you volunteered all of us.’

"She did not bat her eyes at me. She’s new to the school and still doesn’t know a lot of the students. I was just being nice," Mart said a bit defensively. "Besides, your eyes are the only ones I ever notice."

Diana smiled at Mart. "As it should be."

"Oh please, this is getting gooey. Every time we turn around one of you are making goo-goo eyes at the other," Trixie groaned.

Jim grinned. "At least they don’t spar like Dan and Sirene. Half the time I don’t know what to make out of those two."

The Bob-Whites stopped off Crabapples Farm to check in with Mr. and Mrs. Belden. They were sitting at the kitchen table eating lunch. Mrs. Belden reminded everyone that dinner was going to be at the Manor House that night. It had been decided that Bobby would spend the night at the Lynches. The rest of the Belden family would eat and dress at the Manor House. This way both families could get pictures of the couples.

Mrs. Belden asked if they wanted anything to eat, but Jim told her that Cook had lunch waiting for them.

Dan and Sirene were already eating when they came in.

"We were going to wait for you but your parents came in and told us to go ahead and eat. They said you all might be a little late in getting back," Sirene told them. "Tansy gave us an update. She sure is sensitive about being psychic!"

"Well, you did tell her that her grandmother told you that her father and mother wasn’t dead. You didn’t even warn her that you were psychic, " Dan said a little dryly.

"She knew I was psychic. I could tell," Sirene said defensively.

"But she didn’t know that you commune with spirits. You just blurted it out," Dan said.

"So, she was trying to use her abilities to see what I was feeling," Sirene said. "She obviously haven’t been taught any manners dealing with psychic abilities."

"Well, you were mooning over my uncle," Dan said.

"I wasn’t mooning, just paying close attention to what he was saying," Sirene said innocently.

"If you had gotten any closer to him, you would’ve been in his lap," Dan argued.

Sirene stood up. "I’m going home. I have a lot to do before tonight and I know that you Bob-Whites have to go to the gym."

She walked to the doors leading out of the dining room and turned around. "Just so that I don’t waste my time, are we still on for tonight?"

Dan looked up at her, his dark brown eyes inscrutable. "Yes, we are. I’ll pick you up at Diana’s around six forty-five."

Sirene walked out without another word, but everyone could tell she was upset.

"Okay, do we want to know what that was about?" Diana asked.

"She tried to make me jealous by flirting with Regan. Then Tansy walked in while Regan was showing us how to repair one of the leather straps. Tansy saw Sirene hanging all over Regan. Tansy told us what happen down in the cellar. I know Tansy wasn’t happy seeing Sirene that close to Regan. Out of nowhere Sirene dropped the bomb on Tansy by telling her that her parents were alive. Tansy turned white. I thought it was best to get Sirene out of there. So I grabbed Sirene by the hand and brought her up to the house. That’s when I told her that if she wanted to flirt with every guy around that was fine with me. That left me free to flirt with other girls."

"Sirene must be crazy to pull a stunt like that. What did she think she was going to accomplish?" Diana said.

Dan shrugged. "Let’s just say that I may be responsible for some of her actions. I may have put too much pressure on her today. We were out riding and I brought up the subject of her seeing a counselor. I think she really needs to. I haven’t told anyone this before but I’ve been seeing one for almost a year now. It was part of my probation. It really helped me. But she didn’t want to hear anything about it. So she tried to make me jealous as pay back for confronting her about something she’s not ready to face."

"Good thing you know what motivates her to do the things she does," Jim said.

"The only reason I can figure out what’s going through her mind is because we’ve talked a lot in the past month. We talk about everything. Communication is the key to any relationship," Dan said.

The Bob-Whites finished eating their lunch and hurried so that they could get to the gym on time. The day was going fast and they still had a lot to do.

 

Meanwhile On the Bluff…

"How did your aunt handle the news that you found out who your father was?" Regan asked Tansy. They were sitting on a blanket with a picnic basket in front of them.

"Nothing surprises my aunt. She just told me that I better start preparing myself, because she was pretty sure that Mr. Wheeler was going to find him. I’m not sure how I feel about meeting him," Tansy said.

"I’m not sure there is a way to prepare yourself for that type of meeting. I think people just have to wing it," Regan said.

"I’m just glad that it’s probably going to take some time to track him down. I need time to get use to the fact that Jim’s my cousin and it seems that I also inherited the whole Bob-White gang."

"It is hard to be around Jim without being around one of the other Bob-Whites. They’re a pretty tight group,’ Regan said. "But they’re good kids."

"Listen to you. You act like you’re so much older than they are. Is Sirene a Bob-White?" Tansy asked cautiously.

Regan’s green eyes looked directly into hers. "No, she isn’t. But she is very close to my nephew. So they’re around the stables a lot. Tansy isn’t interested in me. My guess is that Dan made her mad, so she flirted with me to get even. It’s a stupid and careless thing to do, but that’s Dan’s problem not mine."

"I guess I was a little jealous. I know that you were enjoying it."

Regan smiled. "Sure I was but not for the reasons you think. I was enjoying watching those two. Dan was jealous but he wasn’t going to let her know that and she was getting angrier because he wasn’t responding to what she was doing."

"I hope our relationship isn’t going to be that complicated. I’m a simple person. I like things straight forward and I always want to know where I stand."

"You seem pretty sure that we’re going to have a relationship."

Tansy smiled at him. "Well, we are. I know that we’re going to be friends and probably lovers but if it moves beyond that is totally up to you."

Regan shook his head. "I have to admit that I’m having trouble with the casual way you talk about being lovers. You’re still very young and I know that you haven’t a lot of experience in that kind of relationship."

"The reason you’re having a problem with this is that you seem to think you’re so old and you’re confusing me with Honey and Trixie. You seem to keep forgetting that I’m four years older than they are and only four years younger than you are. I’m not as naïve as they are. I may not have been around a lot of people, but I do know about desire. My aunt hasn’t protected me that much."

"Tansy, people just don’t go around talking about this stuff, especially right after meeting each other," Regan tried to explain.

Tansy sighed. "Regan this is the way I am. I say what’s on my mind. I can’t ignore feelings. Since I pick up other people’s feelings, I have to know what mine are. Otherwise it could get very confusing on whose feeling what."

Regan laid back and looked up at the sky, thinking over what she had just said. He was beginning to realize that if he wanted to be around her, then he was going to have to come to terms with his own feelings and desires. She just seemed so fragile and young too him.

Tansy looked down at the handsome man lying next to where she was sitting. She really did love the way he looked. He was so strong and muscular, with broad shoulders, but not to bulky. She also liked the way he treated animals and how patience he is with younger people. It was no mystery to her why she was falling in love with him. She also knew that he was fighting his desire for her. He kept confusing her size with immaturity. Tansy was hoping that by spending more time together, he’d realize that she was a woman, not a child or a teenager.

"Look, it’s not like you have to make any major commitment now. Why don’t we just get to know each other better and see what happens?" Tansy suggested.

Regan looked over at her, relieved that she was willing to slow things down a bit. "That’s a good idea. Sometimes people rush into things too fast and it’s hard to backtrack. So tell me how you get that bird to come to you?"

Tansy smiled. She held up her arm and let out a birdcall. The hawk came out of the sky and landed on her arm.

Tansy made a few more sounds, running her free hand over the hawks beak and head.

"Would you like to touch him?" Tansy asked Regan.

"Yes, I would, if you think he’ll let me." Regan sat up very slowly. Tansy took Regan’s hand and showed Regan how to pet the bird. All the while she speaking quietly to the bird. The hawk looked at Regan with intelligent eyes and allowed Regan to touch him.

After a few minutes the hawk took off. Regan watch the hawk take flight, amazed that he had been able to touch such a wild creature.

"So how many animals do you communicate with?" Regan asked curious.

"I think it comes down to trust more than communicating. I’ve been roaming these woods since I was an infant. My mother use to take me out with her before she left. I think that they’ve just become use to me. There are some deer and a couple of foxes that will come over to me. Jim has a much stronger talent in that area than I do. But I’m not sure he’s aware of it."

"He does seem to have a magic touch. Nightrider seems to have settled down a lot since I’ve been allowing Jim to ride him. He doesn’t act up as much when Jim’s around."

"Did you find out why Jupiter is having trouble jumping?" Tansy asked.

"No yet. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong with him."

"Just a thought, but did this problem begin before or after Nightrider arrived."

Regan thought for a few minutes. "Now that you mention it, Jupiter started acting up right after Nightrider arrived."

"Maybe Jupiter doesn’t like the idea of another horse. He has been the dominant male of the bunch, now there’s a younger stud around. Animals can get hang-ups just like humans do. I think the solution is simple. Just make sure that Jupiter gets fed and water first. Be sure that he gets attention paid to him and he gets ridden before Nightrider."

"Well, I have to admit that a lot of attention has been paid to Nightrider. I didn’t think about it until now, but I bet you’re right. Jupiter just needs to be reassured that he’s still kingpin around the stables. I’ll try out your suggestions and see how it works."

They spent the rest of the afternoon walking through the woods. Tansy showed Regan a lot of things that he had never noticed before. Regan realized that she was very knowledgeable about the animals, birds, plants and trees.

Regan walked her to her home as it got closer to dinner time. He made sure that he didn’t mention anything about the homecoming dance. He was pretty sure that Tansy never had a chance to go to dances and games like the other kids did.

"Oh, by the way, you are invited to Thanksgiving dinner unless you all ready have plans," Tansy told Regan as the approached the front door of the old house.

"Well, Sirene’s grandfather has already invited Dan, Mr. Maypenny and me for Thanksgiving dinner," Regan said. "But if it’s all right with your aunt, I could come over for dessert?"

Tansy laughed. "That really is a good plan. I didn’t really want to ask you because my aunt is the worse cook. But she made me promise that I would ask. But since I make the dessert, you should be safe from food poisoning."

"So who does the cooking in your house?" Regan asked grinning.

"Most the time I do, but for some reason my aunt insist on making Thanksgiving dinner as well as Easter dinner. Luckily, she allows me to do Christmas dinner. I’m not the greatest cook but it is edible."

"So it would be somewhat safe to come over for Christmas dinner?" Regan asked, still grinning.

Tansy smiled. "Well, you, Dan and Mr. Maypenny are welcome to come for Christmas dinner if you want, but I can’t guarantee how good it will be."

"I can’t speak for Dan or Mr. Maypenny at this moment, but I’ll chance it." Regan said. "How about coming over for an early ride tomorrow? I have a feeling that the Bob-Whites won’t be ready to get on a horse until later in the day tomorrow."

"Okay, I’ll be there about seven. I love early morning rides."

"Then I’ll see you around seven." Regan said, looking down at her. He really wanted to kiss her but felt that it was too soon for that. Tansy smiled at him, then stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. Then she walked into the house.

Regan stood on the porch for a few minutes after she went in with a shock look on his face. He walked away trying to figure out how such a young, innocent girl could start a fire in him with just a gentle kiss.

 

Chapter 12

Saturday Evening

Madeleine and Helen looked at their daughters. They were both thinking how beautiful they looked.

Trixie was wearing a sapphire blue gown, made out of satin. It had a scoop neckline with short sleeves. The dress was streamlined, with a laced ribbon underneath the bust line. Chiffon was draped over the dress so that it had v-shape in front and flowed longer in the back. She had on long matching evening gloves. The dress was very flattering to Trixie’s shape. She had two sapphire combs in her hair.

Honey was wearing a hunter green gown. The dress had a square embroider empire neckline with short sleeves

It narrowed at the waist then gently flared out. It had a crepe back with a satin ribbon. Her hair was left long in the back but swept up on the sides with an emerald hair clip on each side. The dress and hairstyle showed off her beautiful neck. She also had on long matching evening gloves.

"You both look beautiful. Now make sure you come down the stairs slowly. Matt wants to get this on film," Madeleine said. "If you run into the guys before you get downstairs, wait before they put on your corsage because Matt wants that on film too."

"I wan to get a picture of you two right now. So go stand over by that window," Helen said.

After taking a few snapshots, Helen and Madeleine left so that they could make sure that Matt had the camera all set up.

"Goodness, I’m actually nervous," Honey admitted.

"Oh, do you feel like you have to throw up too?" Trixie inquired.

Honey gave a small giggle. "How elegant you sound Miss Belden. I hope you don’t tell Jim that."

"I hope I don’t fall on my face. I’m happy that I was able to find low heel slippers."

"I admit that these shoes are comfortable. I can’t believe Sirene is going to wear such high heels. I hope Diana will be able to talk her out of it."

"Well, I guess we better get going. If I haven’t thank you yet for letting me use one of your evening coats, let me thank you now."

Honey gave Trixie a small hug. "As far as I’m concern it’s yours. It looks better on you anyway."

Honey walked out of her room with Trixie following her. Just as she was entering the hallway, Jim’s bedroom door opened. Brian walked out looking very handsome in his tux. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Honey. She literally took his breath away.

Jim pushed his friend out of the doorway.

"Honey, you look great," Jim said, not seeing Trixie behind her. Honey moved out into the hall revealing Trixie.

Jim stood very still, his green eyes wandering from her head to her toes.

"Breathe, Frayne, breathe," Brian whispered to Jim as he past him going towards Honey.

Jim gulped and all he could say was "Your beautiful".

Trixie blushed. "Why thank you Mr. Frayne. You look nice yourself. "

Jim held out his arm to her, still in awe. He had always though of her as being pretty. It was her spirit and open heart that had attracted him. But tonight he saw for the first time how truly beautiful she was. Trixie took Jim’s arm thinking that she was so lucky to have such a handsome escort tonight.

Brian smiled at Honey. "Madeleine Grace Wheeler, you look magnificent."

"Thank you. I must say you’re looking extremely handsome tonight. But tell me, did someone let the cat out of the bag or did you just assume that I would wear green?" Honey said, noticing his hunter green cummerbund.

"Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it? Some things are meant to be kept secret," Brian answered while holding out his arm to her. "So if I may have the honor of escorting you downstairs, we can get this show on the road."

Honey took Brian’s arm and gracefully headed down the hallway that led to the stairs. Honey and Brian gracefully walked down the stairs. Both parents watched them, thinking what a beautiful couple they made. Trixie and Jim followed them down. Trixie clinging tightly to Jim’s arm, hoping the whole time that she didn’t trip. Jim put his free hand over hers and whispered, "Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall."

Matt had filmed the whole thing, while Madeleine and Helen were snapping pictures. Peter had gone into the kitchen to get the corsages while the couples where getting their pictures taken. He handed one to Brian and the other one to Jim.

Matt insisted that Brian and Honey stand in front of the stairs while Brian put Honey’s corsage on her wrist. Honey rolled her eyes while her father fussed over angles and lighting. Brian just smiled patiently and stood where he was told. Finally Matt told Brian that he could proceed with giving Honey her corsage. Brian gently lifted up her left wrist and slid the corsage on. Honey smiled at the pretty flowers that matched her gown.

Jim and Trixie had been quietly watching the whole thing. As soon as Honey and Brian moved, they moved into their place. Jim knew that Trixie was uncomfortable in these situations and he wanted to get it over with so that Trixie would relax. Jim has also decided to go with a wrist corsage, so within minutes they were ready to leave. Trixie fingered the pretty flowers, thinking about the first corsage that Jim had given her.

"This time I get to escort you instead of just meeting you there," Jim whispered to her as helped her on with her coat. Trixie smiled, not really too surprised that he had known what she had been thinking.

The coupled said good-by to their parents and went out to the sedan. Matt had decided that for such a formal occasion that they needed something a bit fancier then the BWG station wagon, so he had told Jim that he could use the sedan. Tom had made sure that it was extra clean and polished for this occasion.

Jim helped Trixie into the front seat making sure that he dress did not get caught in the door. Brian did the same for Honey, putting her in the backseat.

As Jim and Brian moved around to the other side of the car, Jim whispered to Brian, "Just remember that I can see you in the rearview mirror."

Brian smiled. "Not my hands you can’t."

Jim chuckled knowing that his sister would be safe with his best friend.

 

Meanwhile At The Lynch’s House…

"My goodness, I didn’t think we could get this mess up. But, thanks to you, it doesn’t look half bad," Sirene told Diana as she was looking in the mirror. Diana and Sirene had decided to get dress together at the Lynch’s house. Since they were double dating, they thought it would be easier for Dan and Mart to pick them up in one place. Plus Sirene needed help with her hair, so it seemed silly for her to rush back to her house. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch had invited the Hartman’s over for dinner, so that they could share in this event.

Sirene and Diana heard the doorbell ring.

"Oh my goodness, is it that time already?" Diana gasped. She finished putting on a lilac choker with a small cameo on it. The gown was satin with netting from the waist down. It was strapless, the color deep purple with lilac lacing all through the top and waist area before flaring out. There was a satin jacket that came with it. Diana’s hair was worn down, shining and flowing. She had matching evening gloves.

Sirene looked at Diana, admiring her friends coloring. Now she could see why Diana liked purple. Sirene sighed wishing she were as tall as her friend was. She was thinking about wearing the high heels Diana had talked her out of.

Diana looked up. "No, don’t even think about it. You look terrific and besides, Dan likes you short. Probably makes him think he has the advantage."

Sirene smiled. "You’re probably right. If I wear heels, he might think that I need to bolster my confidence up."

Diana just chuckled at her friend. She knew that Sirene was at a total lost on how to proceed with Dan

Sirene was wearing a dress that was made out of silk; it was the color of fall, different browns and reds running through it. It fitted her body like a glove, with a v-neck line. The dress had scarf like material flowing in v-shape layers over the silk. It had long sleeves made out of silk with the scarf flowing down in a v-shape. Every time Sirene moved the scarves gently flowed drawing eyes to her body. The dress had a high collar back so it framed the back of her neck before dipping down her front. Her hair was pile high, with loose ringlets.

There was a knock on the door. Diana answered it. Harrison announced that the gentlemen were here to pick them up. Both girls headed down the stairs.

Mart and Dan were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Mart wasn’t surprised because he knew that Diana looked beautiful in anything. He even smiled a bit because she was wearing her color.

He bowed to her as she descended the stairs. "You look exceptionally gorgeous tonight, my fair lady."

Diana curtsey. "Thank you and may I say that you are looking very handsome, sir knight."

Mr. Lynch rolled his eyes. "Why can’t I have a normal daughter who has a normal boyfriend?"

Mrs. Lynch giggled and playfully slapped her husband. "Just take the picture will you. Diana you look beautiful and Mart you look very handsome. Now I want you two by the fireplace. I want some pictures of you there. You can give Diana her corsage there."

As Mrs. Lynch hurried them into the living room, Sirene had finished coming down the stairs.

"Excuse me! But where do you think you’re going dress like that?" roared Mr. Hartman.

"Oh, hush now," Mrs. Hartman said to her husband. "I’m the one that picked it out. She looks beautiful in it and it’s perfectly decent."

Sirene had frozen at her grand-father’s comments. For the first time since meeting her, Dan saw indecision. He stepped up the one step that separated them and took her hand.

"You take my breath away," he whispered. "If your were trying to get my attention, let me assure you that you have it."

Sirene looked up and smiled her confidence back up. "I see that you do have something besides jeans and T-shirts. I’m going to have to keep my eyes on you. Because as good as you look, those cats out there will grab you as soon as I look away."

Mr. Hartman still wasn’t sure about the dress. He thought that it just showed off too much of his grand-daughters natural endowments.

Mr. Lynch took several pictures of Dan and Sirene because Mr. Maypenny, Regan and the Hartman’s wanted pictures of them.

Just as Jim and Brian did, both Mart and Dan had gotten wrist corsages. They walked out of the house after saying good-night to Diana parents and the Hartmans. There in the driveway was a full length white limousine, with a chauffeur holding the door open for them. Diana and Sirene gasped. They never dreamed that the guys would come up with a limousine for a Homecoming Dance.

"Mart Belden, how did you do this?" Diana said as they walked towards the limousine.

Mart and Dan help the girls into the back of the limousine. Mart settled next to Diana, with Dan and Sirene across from them.

"What I want to know is how did you two afford this?" Sirene said looking around. "I know that isn’t very romantic but I’m dying of curiosity."

Mart and Dan looked at each other, pleased that they had totally surprised the girls.

"Jerry Nelson’s dad has a taxi service with includes limousine’s. So Mart and I have been working after school for him. He had a lot of things that needed fixing up at his place," Dan explained.

"So all this time that we though you all were at school working on a science project, you were really working for Mr. Nelson?" Sirene asked.

"Yep! Believe me it was hard keeping this from everyone. We let Regan in on it so that he could help cover with the horses and of course my parents and Mr. Maypenny knew what we were doing," Mart told them.

He looked at Diana. "So are you surprised?"

Diana smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek. "Surprised and touched that you would go to all this trouble for me."

Mart blushed. "Well, since Dan and I don’t have our driver’s license yet and there was no way we were going to have Dad or Regan drive us, we had to come up with something."

"Well, Diana aren’t we lucky? Not only are we being escorted by the most handsome guys but we’re going to our first formal dance in style," Sirene said smiling up at Dan.

"If that’s true, don’t you think that all of this deserves a kiss from you?" Dan demanded.

"Oh, yes it does. Thank you for mentioning it," Sirene answered with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

She leaned over and kissed Mart’s other cheek. Then settled back next to Dan with a grin on her face.

Diana giggled and Mart laughed at the look on Dan’s face.

"You will pay for that Miss Hartman," Dan growled at Sirene.

"I sure hope so, Mr. Mangan," Sirene said teasingly, looking up at him from under her eyelashes.

They arrived at the school. It was interesting to find out that they weren’t the only ones in a limousine. There were several parked outside of the gym.

They were coming up the walkway that led to the gym when they ran into Jim, Trixie, Honey and Brian. The girls exclaimed over each other dresses while Jim and Brian questioned Mart and Dan about the Limousine.

They entered the gym and even though they had help with it that afternoon, they couldn’t help but comment on how pretty it looked. They committee had done a fabulous job at decorating it. The group grab two tables that were set up and put them together so that they could sit together. Trixie and Honey took off their evening coats and laid them behind the chairs. The guys went and got drinks for their dates. At first everyone just mingled around. The couples staying close to each other. Then the band started up.

Brian, Mart and Dan weren’t too surprised when other guys started asking their dates to dance. But it did surprise them that Honey, Diana and Sirene turned the other guys down and seemed content to just dance with them.

Jim on the other hand was holding on to his temper by a thread. It seemed that every time he turned around some guy was waltzing off with his date. Trixie had only danced two dances with him by the time the dance with half over. It seemed like he had been reduced to a servant boy, there just to get her drinks.

She returned to the table after dancing with Nick Roberts. It had been a slow dance and Jim didn’t like how close they had danced.

"Trixie, how about taking a walk with me?" Jim asked with clinched teeth.

Trixie had been enjoying herself. She looked up in surprise, realizing that Jim was angry.

"That would be nice. It’s kind of warm in here," she said, not sure why Jim was mad.

Jim tucked her hand in his arm and walked her outside.

"Oh dear! I hope they’re not going to fight," Honey said, worried.

"I’m sure Jim will hold his temper. It’s not like she did anything wrong," Sirene said.

"Of course she didn’t!" declared Diana.

Brian, Mart and Dan looked at their dates in astonishment.

"If I was Jim, I would have lost it a long time ago," Mart said.

"Ditto. When a guy ask a girl to a dance, he expects her to dance with him, not to go off with everyone who asks her,’ Brian added.

"Especially when she’s looking exceptional beautiful," Dan said. "Believe me, if Sirene had been dancing as close to another guy as Trixie was dancing to Nick, I would’ve made a major scene right there and then."

"But we’re not Trixie. It’s not like Jim and Trixie has an understanding," Honey pointed out.

"And Jim didn’t object or up until a few moments ago show any sign that he didn’t like it," Diana added.

"He can’t expect her to read his mind. All he had to do was tell her that he would prefer her to spend all of her time with him," Sirene said.

The guys just looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They didn’t think it would be wise of them to point out that Sirene, Diana and Honey had enough sense not to dance with anyone else. They last thing they wanted was an argument, especially one that they would end up losing one way or another.

Jim had taken Trixie outside. The moon was shining bright. He walked her a little ways down the lit walkway that led to the parking lot.

"Jim, why are you mad at me?" Trixie asked innocently looking up at him

Jim looked down into her beautiful blue eyes. He could tell that she really did not understand why he was angry. He could feel the anger drain out of him.

"I’m not angry, " he answered her. "I was jealous."

Trixie was shocked. She knew that she had been jealous a few times but she never believed that Jim would ever be jealous over her.

"I know, I know! I shouldn’t have been. But I couldn’t help it. I don’t mind other guys drooling all over you but I hated seeing you in their arms," Jim admitted.

They had walked to a part of the sidewalk that had a big Oak tree hanging down over the walkway. Jim stopped her under it, beginning careful to keep her on the concrete so that she wouldn’t get her dress dirty. He turned her to face him.

"I know that it was my fault that you were dancing with others tonight. I didn’t say anything. I’m not interested in dancing with another girl and I guess I just assumed that you felt the same way. So when they asked and you said yes, I didn’t know how to respond," Jim explained.

"Jim, I didn’t want to dance with them all, but they asked and I wasn’t sure what to say and you didn’t say anything and I didn’t want to hurt their feelings, so I said yes, " Trixie explained. "All you had to do was tell me that you wanted me to tell them no. But when you didn’t say anything after the first guy asked, I figured that you didn’t care."

Jim said ruefully, "I realized that now. Although I try to control my temper, sometimes it does get the best of me. That’s why I brought you out here. I thought if I could get you away from everyone, then I could cool down enough to talk to you about it. I was afraid that if I tried saying anything inside that one of those guys would walk by at the wrong minute and I would totally loose it."

"I guess I can’t blame you for getting mad. I guess I’m not use to having guys pay so much attention to me. It might have gone to my head and I probably overdid it," Trixie admitted.

"Trixie, do you want to be with me?" Jim asked.

"Yes, I do. I won’t lie and say that I haven’t enjoyed dancing with the others. But I would rather dance with you than anyone else."

"I have to tell you something. I know everyone thinks we’re too young to know how we feel but I don’t believe that," Jim said, moving closer to her. He reached down and tilted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes.

"I love you, Trixie Belden. I want you to be my girl. I know that we’re young and we have a long way to go, but I truly feel that we’re made for each other. I don’t want to miss time being together just because others can’t understand our connection," Jim declared.

Trixie was in shock once again. She had no ideal that Jim felt this way. It was hard for her to take it in.

"I’m speechless. I never expected anything like this," Trixie admitted.

"Just tell me how you feel. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks," Jim urged moving his hands to her upper arms, caressing her gently.

"I’m not sure. I mean love is such a big word and I’m not sure what it means between kids our age," Trixie said confused.

"Than don’t use that word. I know it’s confusing, believe me. I’ve used a lot of words to describe my feelings for you since I’ve met you. It didn’t happen overnight. It took me a long time and a lot of internalizing before I realized exactly what I was feeling. Just use what ever words you feel comfortable with," Jim said encouragingly.

"Well, I like spending time with you. You always make me feel like I can do anything. I think you’re the best person I’ve ever met, except for Honey. I like dancing with you more than anyone else. I was thrilled when you told me that I was your special girl and I treasured your bracelet. I hate when you pay to much attention to any other girl," Trixie said.

"So why were you embarrassed about wearing my bracelet?" Jim asked.

"I guess because I started thinking that you didn’t mean what I thought you meant. I didn’t want to act like a stupid girl that went around making a big deal out of something that was no more than a memento of our adventure," Trixie explained.

Jim smiled gently at her. "Trixie, I would like for you to wear the bracelet again. This time know that it means that you and I are a couple. It’s not going to be easy. We’re up against parents and friends who think we’re way too young."

"I’m more than happy to wear your bracelet again, but I like the way things have been. I’m not sure what you expect out of me," Trixie said trying to grasp Jim’s meaning. As much as it thrilled her to have him say that he loved her, it also scared her. He sounded so sure and committed.

"I just wanted you to know how I feel. Where we go from here is totally up to you. If you want things to stay the same, then that’s fine with me. You tell me when you’re ready to move up the next level. We have lots of time," Jim assured her.

"Okay, then we just go on as we’ve been doing, but maybe we could spent a little more time together, just you and me. It would be nice if we sat together when we went to movies. Of course, handholding is okay. I guess stuff like that would be nice, " Trixie said, blushing.

Jim grinned. "Yes, that all sounds wonderful."

Trixie frowned. "But what if one of us wants to date other people."

Jim sighed. "I know this is hard for you to understand, but I’m positive that I’ll never be interested in another girl as long as I have you. As for you dating other guys, well, I guess it’s up to me to keep you so interested in me that you won’t even think of anyone else. But, even though it would be hard for me to handle, if seeing other guys will make you happy then I’ll have no choice but to step back and wait for you to figure out that you and I were meant to be."

"I guess it is hard for me to understand. You’re so good looking, nice and intelligent. It’s hard to believe that you want someone like me," Trixie said.

"I think it’s very intelligent of me to want someone who is beautiful, smart, fun, kind, adventurous and has a curl that I just love to tug," Jim answered.

"Well, the curl part is right," Trixie said wrinkling her nose at him. "I have a feeling when everything you’ve said tonight sinks in, I’ll probably start grinning ear from ear. But for now, we need to go back in. I have a feeling that my brothers will start searching for us soon."

"Probably, but one more thing, before we go in," Jim said looking down at her. Trixie looked up to ask what, when he leaned down and gently kissed her. It was a sweet and tender, just like she had always secretly dreamed it would be.

Jim moved away from her and took her hand and started walking back towards the gym. He looked down at her and was quite satisfied with the dreamy look on her face.

"Well, if that look on their faces means anything, I would say that they didn’t have a fight," Sirene commented to Dan when they saw Trixie and Jim come back into the gym.

"Seems everyone is getting kissed around here but me," Dan said.

Sirene looked at Dan. "I don’t believe that Brian had any sweet lips on him yet. But if you want I think I could arrange for that to happen."

"Sure, go ahead. No since in leaving him out of the fun. Just remember who you’re going home with," Dan said casually.

Sirene knew a dare when she heard one. Dan had been acting like he owned her all night. It was time for her to show him that he couldn’t dictate to her. She looked around and spotted Brian and Honey standing in a corner talking to Diana and Mart. She got up from the table and walked over to them.

"Honey, Diana, Trixie just came back in. I’m sure she’s ready to visit the power room now," Siren said.

"Oh, I see her. We better go talk to her. We’ll be right back," Honey said. Diana and Honey walked over to Trixie and the girls walked toward the girls’ locker room.

Sirene stepped up to Brian and whispered something, When Brian leaned closer to hear what she said, she kissed him. Brian pulled back totally stunned. Mart raised his eyebrows and looked toward where Dan and Jim were standing. Sirene smiled at Brian and Mart and left without saying a word, heading towards the locker room.

Dan chuckled, shaking his head, totally amused at Sirene’s antics. Jim was stunned. "Did Sirene just kiss Brian?" Jim asked.

"Yep! She kissed Mart earlier. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if you’re her next target," Dan answered smiling.

‘Let me get this straight, she kissed Brian and Mart and you think she’s going to try to lay one on me but you’re not upset about this. I’m missing something somewhere," Jim said confused. Brian and Mart had walked up to them.

"Well, her kiss to me was just on the cheek and Diana was sitting next to me," Mart admitted.

"Does someone want to explain to me why I just got kissed?" Brian said bewildered.

They all looked at Dan.

"It’s very simple. Sirene knows that I want to kiss her. So she’s going to kiss all of you but she’ll refuse to kiss me," Dan explained.

Jim, Brian and Mart looked at each other, then looked back at Dan, still confused.

Dan sighed. "Sirene is trying to call the shots, she’s trying to take control of the relationship. So she’s playing these games hoping to unsettle me. It’s what’s she’s use to."

"So what are you going to do?" Jim asked, happy to be involved with a girl that is as straight forward as them come.

Dan smiled. "I’ll play but they’ll be by my rules."

Brian and Mart shrugged their shoulders. They couldn’t understand why Dan would even bother. Sure Sirene was beautiful and sexy but they take their girls over her any day.

The girls came back to the table. Honey leaned over towards Brian.

"So, I hear you’ve been kissing other ladies while I was away," she said.

"I didn’t kiss anyone. She kissed me. That wouldn’t have happen if you had stayed by my side," Brian said calmly.

"Oh, I see how it works. You need me to chase away all of these big bad girls from you," Honey teased.

"That’s right! I can’t be held responsible for what they might do if you leave me here," Brian said his brown eyes twinkling.

"Now I’ve heard everything. My oldest brother trying to con my best friend into staying by his side," Trixie said rolling her eyes.

"Hey, mind your own business. I didn’t pry into why you and Jim were outside for so long, did I?" Brian remarked putting his arm around Honey’s chair.

Trixie couldn’t help the blush that came to her cheeks. But she did smile as Jim followed Brian’s example, putting his arm around the back of Trixie’s chair.

"So, when do I get my kiss?" Jim asked surprising the girls.

"From what I hear, big brother, you are ready got your kiss," Honey retorted.

"If you girls are going to tell tales, at least get it right, I kissed her, she didn’t kiss me," Jim answered back. "Since we know how you girls like to stick together, I figured that Sirene has already filled you in on the fact that she kissed Brian and why. So I’m willing to bet that she’s already cleared it with Trixie to kiss me."

The girls looked at each other then started laughing.

"Well, I guess the gig is up," Sirene said then she stood up and walked behind Jim, bent down and kissed the top of his head. "Sorry Jim, but Trixie wouldn’t let me kiss you anywhere else. I got the impression that the rest of you is hers."

Jim chuckled. "She’s more forgiving than I am. I wouldn’t want a guy to kiss even one strand of hair on her."

Trixie just smiled at him. She was beginning to realize the she had a boyfriend and that meant that she was free to tease him or hold his hand or anything else that came to mind. The last dance was called. The couples got up and went to the dance floor.

Trixie cuddled up against Jim as he put his arms around her. They slowly moved across the dance floor, just enjoying being with each other.

Diana put her arms around Mart’s neck, with his hand resting gently on her hips, looking into each other’s eyes. Mart pulled her closer, she rested her head on his chest, eyes closed.

Dan took Sirene in his arms and smiled down at her. He ran his hand gently down her back than back up again, watching her reaction. Sirene shivered and tried to move closer to him but Dan kept a small distance between them. Dan ran one hand along an arm, back to her shoulders, caressing down to her hips. Sirene could feel the heat of his touch through her silk dress. She just stared into his deep brown eyes, not sure what to do. Dan just smiled at her, with a glint in his eyes as they danced slowly around the room.

Brian held Honey away from him. He had kept a respectful distance all night. He had been the one to set the rules. Holding her close and tight was not in the set of rules he made for himself. She had been honoring the boundary of the relationship he had set up. He could do no less. But as they danced the last dance and he could smell her sweet scent, he pulled her a little closer, folding her hand in his, resting them on his chest, her head resting on his chest next to their hands. He laid his chin on her head wondering why he couldn’t keep his distance the way he knew he should. Just like the time he kissed her at his birthday party. He didn’t mean to do that but she looked so beautiful and she was so willing to work out some sort of relationship, he couldn’t help himself.

The music died and the couples slowly pulled apart. They went back to the tables and gathered up their belonging and walked out of the gym. They had all enjoyed the dance. Mart, Diana, Dan and Sirene gotten into the limousine that were waiting for them. The talk was casual small talk. When the limousine stopped at Diana’s house Mart got out with her. He walked he up to her door. Diana turned and faced him.

"Well, according to all the romance novels I’ve read this is where I tell you that I had a great time," she said. "But to be honest, I had a wonderful time. I can’t thank you enough for making my first formal something beautiful that I’ll always remember."

"I always want to make you happy. You know that I would do anything for you," Mart said seriously, his blue eyes looking intently into her eyes.

Diana smiled. "I know. Just like I want to make you happy."

Mart leaned down as she reached for him. Their lips met. Diana pulled away looking at him. Mart looked back at her. Both of them smiled. Mart leaned down and brush her lips and whispered "Good night my sweet Diana. Thank you for a magical night. My dreams will be all that much more sweeter due to the taste of your lips."

Diana turned a way and opened the door; she glanced back one more time at Mart, stars in her eyes.

Mart walked back to the limousine. As he got in he notice that there was silence. He leaned back and closed his eyes. A few minutes later the limousine stopped at Crabapple Farms; Mart got out saying good night to the silent couple.

The next stop was the Hartman’s house, where a porch light was on. Sirene got out of the limousine. She was determined that she was not going to kiss Dan. She had to take control of this relationship while she still could. She silently admitted to herself that he was getting to her. She had learned long time ago that if people think they have control over you than they’ll use you. Everyone was like that.

Sirene stopped at the door and turned to Dan.

Dan smiled at Sirene and said, "Well, it’s been and interesting night. I was honored to have you as my date. Good night."

Dan turned away and walked down the few steps out into the night.

Sirene stood on the porch watching him walk away. One part of her wanted him to just keeping walking, but at the same time she wanted him to come back. She walked in the house slowly. She just didn’t know what she was going to do about Dan. What scared her even more was the fact that she wasn’t sure that she had any choice in the matter.

The limousine driver stopped at the Manor House. Dan paid off the driver and walked up to his uncle’s apartment. He was spending the night at his uncle’s. He felt that he had put on a pretty good show for Sirene. He was confident that she had no ideal how he really felt about her kissing other guys. He hated the way things were going between them but he couldn’t let her confuse him with the guys she knew in the past.

Regan was sitting watching a late movie.

"So how did it go?" he asked.

"Music was good, punch so-so and food wasn’t too bad," Dan said as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"So is Sirene still trying to put you in your place?" Regan asked turning off the television.

"Yeah, she tried. I hope I’m doing the right thing, but I don’t know how else to play it. She really doesn’t trust people who are straight. I’ve notice that even with Honey and Trixie, she’s looking for hidden meanings. The only person she trusts totally is Diana," Dan answered.

"Well, all I can say is to go with your gut. I’ve recently learned that there are some unusual women out there. Since they don’t come with an owner’s manual all we can do is go on instinct and hope for the best."

Dan looked at his uncle. "Somehow I don’t think Sirene or Tansy would appreciate that statement. So what has Tansy done to upset your apple cart?"

"Besides just being Tansy," Regan said dryly. "It’s funny, but your problem is that Sirene is complicated. Where my problem is that Tansy is too simple. As far as she’s concern something either is or it isn’t, it’s black or white. She doesn’t seem to understand that some times things are more complicated then that."

Dan smiled at his uncle with a wick gleam in his eyes. "Maybe you’re the one that’s making things more complicated then it has to be. Did you ever think of that?"

Regan looked over at his nephew wondering how did he know so much at fifteen.

Dan headed to the extra bedroom. "On that note I’m calling it a night. I’ll see you in the morning."

Regan got up and said good night to his nephew. As Regan got ready for bed he wondered if maybe Dan was right.

 

Meanwhile…

Brian walked Honey up to the porch. Jim and Brian had decided that Jim would drop Brian and Honey off at the Manor House and then Jim would drive Trixie home. Brian was more than willing to walk home if it meant spending a few minutes along with Honey.

Honey smiled at Brian. "It was fun tonight. I’m so happy for Jim and Trixie. I think Trixie was still in shock when she was telling us about it. I have to admit I was surprised that Jim did that."

"I have to admit that I was worried when Jim had told me what he was going to do. I mean she’s only fourteen and he’s only sixteen. At least Mart left an opening for him and Diana if it doesn’t work out. But Jim just jumped in. He’s so convinced that he and Trixie are meant to be that it’s hard to talk to him. He won’t even listen to logic," Brian said amazed.

"Well, I do know that since he’s made the committeemen, he’ll work real hard to see it through. I won’t be a bit surprise if ten years from now they end up married," Honey said.

"I just hope that Diana doesn’t get any ideal in her head that Mart should be make the type of declaration that Jim made to Trixie" Brian groaned.

Honey looked closely at Brian. "That’s not what you’re really worried about. You know that Diana knows Mart well enough to know that isn’t his way. You’re worried that I might want more than we have."

"I guess the thought did cross my mind," Brian admitted. "It’s bad enough with Diana and Mart making sheep’s eyes at each other. Now having Trixie and Jim going mushy, well, it can get to be too much."

"First of all I can’t see Jim and Trixie making sheep’s eyes at each other. I think you’ll find that in dealing with each other, except for maybe holding hand, they’ll keep things private. I don’t think you’ll see any drastic change in them. As for us, I’m content with the way things are. If I feel a need for change, I’ll get the courage from somewhere and talk to you about it."

Brian smiled down at Honey. "You always know the right thing to say to me. I don’t know how I got so lucky having such an intelligent, beautiful lady as my special friend. So may I kiss this friend good-night?"

"Well, if you’re sure that it won’t break any rules, it’s okay with me."

Brian moved closer to her and bent his head down. "This may bend them a little," he whispered before kissing her.

 

Meanwhile…

Jim pulled up at Crabapple Farm. Trixie had been talking about Mart and Dan surprising Diana and Sirene with the limousine. She was amazed that they had kept it a secret. Trixie got out of the car with Jim’s help, still chatting on. Jim just smiled because he realized that she was chatting because she was nervous.

Trixie stopped at the door, turned to look at Jim.

"This seems silly," she said. "Here we are at my front door and I don’t know what to do. I mean think about it. We usually just go in without even stopping. How many times have we all walked through each other’s front doors? But tonight it’s like those doors are intimidating or like a statement has to be made. It’s just weird."

Jim chuckled. "I’ve never thought about it, but I guess you’re right. Because right now, at this front door, I’m thinking about kissing my girl good night."

Trixie blushed. "I hope someday that my face will stop turning red when you say things like that to me."

Jim leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, then he whispered, "But I adore seeing you blush."

Trixie turned even redder and shoved him away laughing. "Jim Frayne, you can be such a tease."

Jim just chuckled then leaned back down and gave her a good night kiss. Trixie kissed him back this time. They broke away, each a little breathless. Jim quietly said good-night and left without looking back. Trixie watched him walk away, then went in the house, with a faraway look in her eyes.

Soon the deep night was among the inhabitants of the Manor House, Crabapple Farms, the Hartmans' House and the Lynches home, with everyone sleeping. But on the bluffs stood a person, her long hair blowing as the wind picked up. She knew that trouble and possible danger was coming. She raised her head and chanted ancient words, hoping to protect those who slept so innocently.

The End

Comments:

I just want to thank Susansuth for the wonderful job of editing that she has done. She’s the greatest!

Please forgive any mistakes made in chapters 11 &12. It was self-edited, so all goofs are mine.

Please remember that dealing with the paranormal means that not all things can be explained (or at least I can’t explain them). So some questions will have to wait to be answered in future stories if at all.

As always, Trixie Belden and company belongs to Random House, who finally wised up and started repainting them, as no I did not call an ask permission, because I’m not making any money off of this story. (although, they should thank all of the fanfic writers for keeping TB alive while they were sitting on their hands).

Of course all characters not belonging to Random House belongs to me (isn’t it neat to own characters) and is from my own weird imagination.

All views about psychic/paranormal are also from my imagination. Anything in this story that might parallel another story or a person is pure coincidence.

TBH Main