Dan!
That Dan-I-am!
That Dan-I-am!
I do not like that Dan-I-am!

 

“Mangan!” Wendell Molinson was practically growling as he punched the button to switch off his cell phone. “We’re going to have to make some changes.”

“What’s up, Captain?” Dan drawled lazily from the back seat of the Frayler van.

“Margie – can you stop at the next exit? Maybe someplace with some food. I’d like to get the boys a quick snack.”

Margery Trask nodded. As the only female in a van full of males, it still seemed incredible to her that they had all insisted that she do the driving. But Regan deplored automobiles and driving. Dan had clearly been more interested in catching a nap on the trip, and Wendell, while willing and qualified to drive, was not covered on the insurance policy.

“Something on the case?” she asked in a quiet voice. She didn’t mind if Dan or Regan overheard the question, but she didn’t want the six students sitting behind them to pick up on the undercurrents. As far as her six charges were concerned, she wanted them to view this trip strictly as a holiday excursion.

Wendell replied with a nod.

The break came past the half-way point, so everyone was ready to stretch their legs, grab a snack, and avail themselves of facilities. Wendell handed Margery a handful of bills. “Get them ice cream or something, but eat inside. I’ll need some time to talk with Mangan.”

“Come in when you’re done, so I’ll know we’re good to leave.” She was comfortable now in her relationship with the police captain, but she was not yet able to read him to such an extent.

Dan stretched and watched as the boys chattered and kidded each other on their way into the establishment. “Okay, Captain. What’s going on?”

“Trixie and Jim are being followed. It’s Brad’s vehicle, but they haven’t been able to confirm the identity of the driver.”

“Is it a problem? What do you want to do?”

“I need someone I can send that isn’t tied down with six students. Who else is heading to Newport?”

“Well, Mart and Di left last night – they’re already there. Honey and Brian are with both sets of parents on the Wheeler jet. Mr. Maypenny is holding down the fort at Sleepyside along with Tom and Celia. Tad needed to take care of some business so he hooked up with Trixie’s friend Elizabeth Wilson; they’re probably about an hour behind us on the road.”

“They didn’t invite Spider?”

“Yes, but I think he decided to stay behind when he found out that Tad had a ride with Liz. Not sure why.”

“Call this Liz person. See where they are. I think it’s time for you and Tad to change places.”

“Why?” Dan demanded. “Tad can be trusted to take care of what needs to be done. Liz is already an honorary Bob-White since she joined the business with Trixie and Honey. She knows the score. God only knows, the girl can take care of herself. In that respect anyway, she’s just like Trixie.”

“You might trust Tad Webster, but he doesn’t know the score and Spider didn’t want him to know. Don’t ask me why, but I have to trust Spider on this. Call her.”

In less than a minute, Dan was talking to Liz on her cell. Her car, traveling east, was much closer than Dan had believed possible.

“How can you possibly be that close?” he demanded of Liz. “You left a good solid hour after we did!”

“Maybe you drive slow, how should I know? What do you need?”

“Stop at the Hope Valley exit. We’re at the McDonald’s there. We need to switch places.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Can he hear me?” Dan asked, rolling his eyes.

“No, of course not!”

“Then stop at the Hope Valley exit. I’ll brief you when you get here. Make something up to explain to Tad, but we won’t be telling him what’s really going on.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s really going on?”

“Trixie and Jim are being followed. I’ll tell you the rest later.” Dan disconnected the phone. “She’ll be here in ten minutes or so. I can’t believe they’re that close.”

“Margie’s a pretty conservative driver,” Wendell pointed out. “Even with both of us in the van, she won’t exceed the speed limit.”

“Are you saying Tad would?”

“Most likely he’s pushing it all the way. Stopped him myself more times than I can remember when he was in high school. That’s how Spider wanted it handled back then.”

Dan laughed. “Well, at least you didn’t have any problems like that with the Bob-Whites.”

“Yeah, just kidnappings, smuggling, extortion – nothing serious like speeding,” the police captain retorted as he started walking towards the restaurant.

 

 

Regan grinned at he looked at his nephew. “I think I know why they were so close.”

“Oh?” Dan gulped another swallow of coffee.

“With a ride like that, you’d probably make good time as well.” Regan nodded toward the window behind Dan, who turned to watch Liz and Tad exit a silver Jaguar.

“I don’t even like cars, and I have to admit that one’s really something! Looks as though Liz is the one with the heavy foot.” Regan stifled a grin, noticing his nephew’s mouth had dropped open.

Dan stood up. “She’s going to get herself killed driving something like that. What in the hell was Tad thinking?” He strode purposefully toward the door.

Liz and Tad approached the restaurant, laughing and smiling, obviously having a good time. “Exactly how fast were you driving that car?” Dan demanded. “What were you thinking, buying a car like that? That’s nothing more than an accident waiting to happen.”

Liz pulled off her sunglasses and studied the irate detective, who was fuming in front of her. “What do you care, Daniel? It’s my business, not yours.”

“I’m making it my business right now! You can’t be successful as a detective in a car like that. It will only draw attention to you. You need something sedate and understated.”

“Hmmm, well, normally I would agree with you. But you see, I’m on vacation, Mangan. It just so happens that this is a pleasure trip, so I rented a car to have fun driving. You do know how to have fun, don’t you? Or are you always sedate and boring?”

Tad snickered drawing a fulminous glare from Dan. He controlled his grin and remarked casually, “I don’t have a problem with her driving.”

“Yeah, that’s no surprise. How many speeding tickets did you get in high school anyway, Webster?”

“Youthful indiscretion, nothing more, my friend. Besides, those offenses can no longer be held against me. But do we really want to compare the follies of our youth, Mangan?”

Dan clenched his teeth. “Miss Trask would like a break. Do you think you could swap with me and take over?”

Tad frowned. He was more than a little enamored of Trixie’s gorgeous blonde friend. “Well, of course I could. But why can’t you take over for her?”

“Neither the Captain nor I are covered on the school’s insurance. We’re not allowed to drive the students. You know how Uncle Bill feels about driving; he would never have even come on the trip if he thought he’d have to do any interstate driving.”

“Okay.” Tad nodded. “Let me grab my bag. The way Liz drives, you’ll arrive at the Inn well ahead of us.”

Dan and Tad made the switch while Liz stopped inside to freshen up. Waiting until Liz was well out of earshot, Dan asked the question point blank. “How fast did she drive, really?”

“Let’s just say when she told the rental agent she wanted a high performance sports car, it wasn’t just so she would look good in it.”

Dan groaned. “Please say she checked the box to allow additional drivers.”

Tad laughed, “She did. She offered to let me drive but it was clear she was getting such a kick out of it, that I declined. You got a thing for her, Mangan?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“You seem a little tense. You know me well enough to know that I’m not going to poach, but if you’re not interested, give the word. I’d like a shot.”

“Let’s just say neither of us have the right kind of bank account for her to be interested in us,” Dan replied. “She’s high maintenance all the way. She’s been hanging with Honey’s cousin quite a bit. I think they’ve got something going.”

“You sure about that, man?” Tad frowned as he looked towards the restaurant. “I know what you mean about high maintenance. But still, she didn’t give me the impression of being concerned about money. Knows everything and anything about football. Said it was a religion where she’s from. Not to mention she’s smart. She said Wimpy’s had the best burgers of any place she’d ever eaten.”

Dan shrugged. “Like I said, she’s not interested in me.”

“Okay, dude. But since you didn’t answer my question, I’m going to take it that you are interested in her.” Tad turned away, and left a sputtering Dan standing behind the silver Jag.

 

 

“If you’re going to keep driving like that, then pull over!” Dan demanded, glancing in frustration at the speedometer. He couldn’t even imagine trying to explain to local law enforcement why Liz was driving so fast.

“Seems like it would be important to get there quickly and get a lead on this car that’s following Jim and Trixie. Have you checked in with her lately?”

“Yeah, she said they were leaving the local shopping center and as best they could tell, no one tried to follow them inside. They’re heading back to the Inn.”

“Do you think they should do that?” Liz puzzled. “Maybe they should go someplace different, or just keep running errands.”

Dan shook his head. “They may as well head back. If he picked them up at the town hall then there’s a pretty good chance he knows where they are staying and what’s going on. Besides, what can he do to them? We’re not going to let anyone get near them. The best thing for us is to head straight to the Inn and evaluate the security there. We can make sure they don’t rent any more rooms out, for one thing.”

“Jim and Trixie rented them all.(period)” Liz had already explored that angle. “There aren’t any available. All the staff, entertainment, food and everything was arranged by the Harwells – you know -- the older couple who had reserved the Inn for their anniversary party and had to cancel at the last minute. It would be difficult for someone to infiltrate the wedding. But you’re right, let’s get there and evaluate the situation. The sooner the better.” She pressed her right foot a bit harder on the accelerator, causing Dan to groan.

“At the rate you’re driving, we’ll be lucky to get there in one piece.” He rolled his eyes and shifted his gaze to the passing scenery. I’m only going to give myself an ulcer if I keep watching the speedometer. “If you get pulled over, I’m not getting you off by telling them I’m in law enforcement,” he muttered.

Liz laughed. “Danny, if I get pulled over, I’ll get my own little self off, don’t you worry ’bout a thing. Besides, first they’ll have to catch me.”

Dan groaned again, and slid down in the seat, deciding the best thing for him at this point was to try and sleep. He shook his head at the sound of Liz’s laughter.

 

 

“What do you think?” Dan asked, as he met back up with Liz in the lobby of the Mansion at Cliff Walk.

“Not too bad, actually,” Liz admitted. She glanced at the sketch she had made during a walk-around of the property. “A couple of entrances that aren’t that well secured, but I tested by calling the front desk. I couldn’t get them to admit to a room number. Of course, Jim and Trixie didn’t request “no publicity” status when they checked in. I asked when I did, and it is available. I suspect they may have a few celebrities staying here from time to time. We couldn’t handle security for a state visit here without a lot of guards and security personnel, but we could probably pull off a discreet celebrity wedding.”

Dan looked over her shoulder at her notes. His finger tapped the paper, “Those are better secured than you think. They have alarms on them, but they’re only turned on after 8:00 p.m. The only entrance besides the front door that is accessible after eight is the terrace.”

“Hmmm, missed those alarms. Where were they hidden?” Liz looked up at him.

“This one was in the fire sprinkler,” Dan pointed to the paper, “and this one was in a floodlight.” His finger moved to indicate the gate in question.

“Dang it, I checked the smoke detector, I didn’t even think about checking the actual fire sprinkler. Are you sure the one in the floodlight was working? My detector didn’t pick it up.” Liz kicked herself mentally for missing the camera and security beam.

“It could be dead. We’d actually have to test all of them to make sure they work, but I think you can say, with some degree of certainty, that they’ve had some celebrity visits.”

“What do you say we go find out who’s in charge and test these alarms? I’d like to make sure they’re all working. And let’s change Jim and Trixie to “no publicity” status. Even if Brad -- or whoever -- knows they’re here, he doesn’t have to know when they check out.”

“Do you think we should ask them?” Dan looked at Liz, doubting for a moment, whether they should interfere in the security for their friend’s wedding

“No. You can blame me if you’re worried. I’m planning just to tell Trixie after the fact. We can let their parents and the Bob-Whites know what’s going on when they check-in.”

Dan whistled. “You and Trixie must be pretty good friends if you’re just going to tell her how you’ve arranged security like that.”

“Listen, security is my thing. I’m more than a little irritated that some cop picked up on two security cameras that I missed. Trixie being annoyed with me is the least of my worries. I’m still upset with her over the apartment she had in Sleepyside. That place has zilch in the way of security provisions. I’m going to force that landlord to put cameras up in the hallways before I move out of there. Just you wait and see,” Liz fumed, remembering her angry conversation with Trixie’s landlord about the building security. “He’ll be counting his blessings yet if I don’t get Honey to sue him.”

“Uh, Liz,” Dan began tentatively, “remind me not to ever let you get really mad at me, okay?”

“Oh, please! Just because I want people to do the right thing,” she tossed her hair, in a movement so similar to Trixie’s that Dan had to choke back a laugh. Instead, he simply shook his head.

“I’ll never understand how you two girls can be so much alike and yet so different… and still be such good friends.”

“That’s your problem, Daniel. You’re not supposed to understand.”

 

 

“I can’t believe the girls left us to go shopping!” Brian flopped heavily onto the comfortable sofa in the Inn’s lounge.

Dan shrugged. “They’re females. Shopping is their number one sport. If they had a shopping Olympics, I suspect Liz would take home the gold medal.”

Mart snorted. “She’d have tough competition from Diana. But you’re right, I can see it now – competitions like the fastest to max out a credit card and most items purchased in five minutes.”

“Yep,” Dan added. “Don’t forget the best bargain finder competition and who can try on the most shoes in fifteen minutes. I don’t think I’ve seen Liz wear the same pair of shoes twice.”

Brian’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve noticed what kind of shoes Liz wears?”

“Well, yeah. Don’t you notice stuff like that?”

“No!” Brian and Mart answered together, exchanging knowing looks.

“Must be the police training,” Dan replied casually, checking his watch.

“Must be the fact that you are a goner!” Mart retorted. “When did you fall in love with her?”

“What are you talking about? I’m not in love with her!” Dan sat up straight.

Brian snorted. “I dare you to show me one man that is not in love, who notices what a kind of shoe a girl is wearing.”

“Be careful there, Bri,” Mart warned. “You know the guys on that designing show Di watches, those guys always notice shoes.”

“Fine, show me one straight man.” Brian revised the challenge.

“You guys are crazy,” Dan insisted. “There is nothing like that between Elizabeth and me. She can’t stand to be around me. She likes the pretty-boy type, you know… Honey’s cousin, Ben Riker. Guys like that.”

Brian shook his head. “You’re wrong.”

“Nope, I’m not. She likes to change clothes three and four times a day, and eating at fancy restaurants and guys that treat her like a princess, bring her chocolates, peel her grapes, you know – high maintenance. Like some of those girls Mrs. Wheeler was always introducing us to when we were at school in the city. Snooty.”

Mart frowned. “Liz isn’t the least bit snooty.”

“Nope, she’s not,” Brian agreed. He leaned back, folding his heads behind his head and speaking directly to his brother. “That just proves our theory. Danny boy is sunk. The girl has him hooked and he doesn’t even know it.”

“You two are crazy!” Dan muttered, shooting a fulminous look at both men. “For the last time, she thinks I’m rude, crude and obnoxious.”

“Well, of course she’s right about that!” Mart grinned. “But Brian’s right. We’ll make you buy us both a beer when we’re proven right, but you have been hooked.”

“We’ll make him buy us a case of beer,” Brian corrected quickly. “I give him a year. He’ll be shopping for a diamond ring by this time next year.”

“Six months,” Mart countered.

“Wanna make a bet out of it?” Brian offered.

“Yep, it’s a bet.” Mart reached out to shake Brian’s hand.

“And if you’re both wrong?” Dan demanded.

“We’ll buy you a case of beer,” Mart said cheerfully.

“Maybe we should buy him some shoes,” Brian suggested.

“Yeah, high heels or sandals. Maybe a pair of pumps.” Mart nodded.

Dan threw a pillow at Mart, hitting him squarely in the head. “Sheesh, you’ve been my best friend for years and you don’t even know that boots are my best look in footwear!”

 

 

Dan stood quietly a few feet behind Liz who was sipping champagne and watching Trixie and Jim dance to the strains of Elvis singing Love Me Tender. He glanced down at Liz’s feet, noting the glittery red toenail polish. Those are new shoes she’s wearing, or at least I haven’t seen them before. What would she call them? Oh hell, look what Mart’s got me thinking now! They’re either shoes or boots! It doesn’t matter anyway, they’re cute and I like seeing her toes. Look at those heels, she’s noticeably taller.

He stepped up next to her attempting to start a conversation, but really hoping he could persuade her to dance with him. “I didn’t know you could sing like that!”

“Like what? A bad tryout for American Idol? ” Liz didn’t spare him as much as a glance, but continued to watch the dancing.

Shit, Mangan! Now she thinks you were insulting her singing. “Uh, no. Like someone who should have been the winner of American Idol.” Dan tried again. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and immediately removed them, remembering Tad telling the students earlier not to stand around with their hands in their pockets.

“Thank you, Daniel.”

“You’re welcome, Elizabeth.”

She turned then, and bestowed a gracious smile on him. “I started out playing the piano, but my hands never got big enough to do the reaches necessary to be a great player. Since Mother was entering me in every pageant within a 100-mile radius of home, I needed a new talent. That’s when I started singing.”

Dan picked up her hand and studied it. Wow, she does have tiny hands. Cute little fingers too. “Your hand looks fine to me.”

“Thanks, but just look--” She splayed her open hand against Dan’s comparing the two in size. “Short fingers. Just not enough reach there.”

Dan captured the dainty hand and stared at it. Her fingers were slender and graceful, and her nails were embellished with sparkly red polish. Everything about her seems to glitter. The band started another song, bringing him back to the moment. Dan cleared his throat. “Would you like to dance?”

“Sure, let me get rid of this.” She waved the champagne flute, and a waiter appeared to take it from her.

Most of the guests joined Trixie and Jim on the dance floor. Liz looked around and smiled. “I don’t think that Jim and Trixie even realize the rest of us are here.”

“Nope. I’m betting right now they wish we weren’t!”

“Maybe.” Liz got quiet contemplating her friend’s future happiness.

“Isn’t it odd how a fifty year old song seems to suit Jim and Trixie?”

“What do you mean?” she frowned as she recalled the ballad played earlier.

“Elvis, can you imagine picking an Elvis song as your song?”

“Yes.” Her answer was short and she paused a moment before continuing. “You do know that Elvis lived in Memphis?”

Dan rolled his eyes. “Yes, I know where Elvis lived. But good grief, they could have picked something a little more modern.”

“They really couldn’t have picked anything else. There wasn’t time. Love Me Tender was the Harwells’ song from their wedding fifty years ago. When Jim saw it he seemed to think that if it the Harwells were happily married for fifty years then it was a keeper.” Liz stiffened slightly before she concluded in a prim tone. “Besides, Elvis is a classic – he never goes out of style.”

“I asked Jim how many suitcases Trixie brought with her.” Dan attempted to change the subject to safer ground, inwardly berating himself for not realizing a girl from Memphis would always think Elvis was in style.

“Two,” Liz replied absently. “She had one for her Mom’s wedding dress. Doesn’t it look great on her?”

“Yeah. I guess that means you’d have at least twelve suitcases, huh? How many did you bring to Rhode Island?”

Liz’s eyes narrowed as she studied Dan. “I have four suitcases and a garment bag. It never seemed to bother you before how much luggage I brought. Why do you care? I don’t have any plans to elope.”

Dan shrugged. “Just making conversation, Lizard. No need to get uptight about it.”

“I am not uptight!” she hissed.

Further conversation was interrupted when Mart gave a quick Bob-White whistle to get everyone’s attention.

“Traditionally the best man gives the first toast, but since Jim and Trixie already decided to abandon tradition, the esteemed father of the groom has graciously permitted me to bestow the inaugural salutation.”

“Geez, Mr. Wheeler, I thought when we talked earlier you agreed to let Mart give the first toast,” Dan interjected, grinning.

The room erupted in laughter as Mart turned a faint shade of pink. He bowed in deference to Dan, who gave him a friendly wink.

“As I was saying… it is my honor to give the first toast to the bride and groom. It was tempting indeed to pull from my repertoire one of the many humorous incidents between these two and apply a witty wedding pundit to it, like suggesting their wedding song be Love in an Elevator.” Mart paused as the crowd broke into laughter. He winked at Trixie. “Sorry, Trixie but that was for Bobby, since he couldn’t be here. In the end, I decided it was better to offer my sincere congratulations on the termination of your companionless isolation and articulate an appreciation of your determination to conclude the desperation and frustration which has precipitated so much consternation in terminating your sequestration thus bestowing upon you the inspiration to make a consolidation of your accumulated possessions and ending the aforementioned companionless isolation.”

Dan rolled his eyes and whispered to Liz, “Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to let Mart give the first toast.”

“Hush, he’s doing fine.” Liz’s eyes twinkled as she noticed the huge grins on Jim’s and Trixie’s faces.

Mart continued. “However, all of that aside, the very fact that Jim and Trixie had the good sense to invite us all to their elopement -- and we could have a field day with that -- I realized it was a time for a more solemn toast.” Mart raised his glass. “James … Beatrix… To the world you may have become one, but to one another you are the world.”

 

 

“You’re not crying, are you?” Dan asked, noticing that Liz was blinking rapidly as Trixie and Jim left the reception in a cloud of bubbles and good wishes.

“No,” she sniffed. “They just look so happy!”

Dan rolled his eyes. I’ll never understand the female mind. One minute I’ll think Liz might forgive and forget and in the next, I’m sure she is just toying with me. She had danced with Tad, Captain Molinson, Sam and Dennis - the two oldest students, even his uncle. Dan knew it was no small feat for her to persuade his quiet uncle to get out on the dance floor. But she had managed it and Bill Regan had smiled the entire time.

Liz turned around; her face composed once more, and gave a small frown. “This must be when the band takes its supper break. It figures, just when we need dancing to distract us.”

“We could always play some music to dance to,” Dan suggested with a shrug as he looked around the room. I suppose it’s because it’s New Year’s Eve, no one is really eager to call it a night. Well of course, Jim and Trixie, but they have different reasons for leaving before midnight

The group of family and friends, including the six Frayler students, were ready to continue the party until they rang in the New Year.

Dan looked around and noticed Tad striding quickly to the band platform. With an easy hop up on the platform, Tad grabbed the microphone. “Evening, everyone. Since its New Year’s Eve, the students of Frayler Academy are going to ask the rest of you to join them in a few moments of karaoke. The songs and equipment are up here, and our students will perform the first song if you’ll just give us five minutes to get organized.”

Tad was immediately surrounded by six chattering students.

“Coach, why do we have to sing? We don’t know any wedding songs.” Dennis was the first to speak.

“Yeah, we did the Christmas program, do we have to sing again?” Charlie was clearly not excited about singing again.

“Come on guys, this is for your headmaster. We can do the song I taught you in the van, you know it; we’ll just have to see if they have the music for it in the karaoke play list.” Tad had been disappointed that the students hadn’t had an opportunity to perform the song he taught them for Jim.

“That’s a wedding song?” Benji asked his voice full of doubt.

Miss Trask joined them then to add reinforcements. “Boys, Coach Webster is correct. This is an excellent way for you to contribute to the wedding festivities.” She glanced at Tad. “Do they have that song?”

“Yes,” he grinned. “Don’tworry, guys, if you’ll give me five minutes to get this hooked up, the words will be on that monitor. You won’t even have to worry about remembering them.”

True to his word, Tad Webster deftly connected the karaoke machine. Liz walked up to see if he needed any help.

“Nah, I’ve got it.” He smiled at her. “You gonna sing something?”

She shook her head. “I hadn’t planned on it, why?”

“The guys aren’t gonna feel too good if they’re the only ones who sing. You did okay at the wedding. Kind of a slow song, and mushy, but you did okay.”

“Well, thank you, I think.” She was more than a little miffed. His backhanded compliment definitely struck a blow to her ego.

“If you wanted, we could make it a private challenge.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll sing a song if you will. Whoever the crowd likes best wins.”

“What do we win?” She smiled at the thought.

“If I’m better, which I will be – hey, no offense, I’m a pretty good singer – then you agree to go out with me. If you win, which you won’t, then I get to go out with you.”

Liz laughed at his audacity. “I’m not sure I would want to win.” She looked around the room and then back at Tad. “How about this: if I win, you pay for a dinner for two, for me and whoever I choose to invite.”

“Are you kidding? Jim would kill me if I let the students date.”

She laughed again at his good natured teasing. “Okay, any single man I choose over the age of twenty-five.”

Tad thought as he looked around the room – Molinson, Regan, Dan and myself – okay, she really does want to go out with me, she just needs to save face. Or is it Mangan she really wants? Hmmm…

“Well?” she interrupted his thoughts.

“I’ll ask ’em and if they agree, it’s a bet. But it won’t matter because I’ll win.”

Liz gave him a questioning look. “What’s your experience in singing?”

“Hey! I’m a decent enough singer. I do alright. When I was playing ball they even asked me to sing the National Anthem a few times.”

Liz’s eyes narrowed. “I get the distinct feeling you’re setting me up.”

“Nope! Promise, ask Mangan -- I’m a decent singer.”

Liz looked up and saw Dan a few steps away. With a nod towards Tad she asked him point blank. “Webster here says he’s quite a singer and wants to challenge me to a karaoke contest. Is there something I need to know?”

Dan shook his head. “I’ve heard him a couple of times. He’s no slouch, but then, he never won a beauty pageant either.”

“Hey! All the girls go for my good looks and charm. Singing to them just lures them into my open arms that much faster.”

“In your dreams, Webster,” Dan muttered. “What’s the challenge?”

“She loses, she goes out with me.” Tad grinned, knowing such a bet would make Dan furious.

“And if she wins?” Dan asked, his brown eyes darkening at the thought of Liz out on a date with Tad Webster.

“Then I guess she gets stuck with you, Mangan, and I have to pay,” Tad answered. “Although you might be able to convince your Uncle to take your place, or perhaps the Captain. I already warned her that the students were off limits.”

Dan was silent, his hands clenched in his pockets. I remember Tad went on some kind of tour the summer before our senior year … and it seems like singing was involved. He’s certainly no slouch but from what I heard at the wedding ceremony, Liz should win, hands down. He glanced at Liz, and noticed she was staring at him.

“You don’t mind if I cheer for Liz to win then, do you, Tad?” He managed to hold back a grin when he saw her jaw drop in surprise.

 

 

Dan and Liz knew they had to be the last two people awake in the Inn, except for the front desk clerk. The two of them, full of good spirits and champagne, were still laughing about the karaoke contest long after it was over. Now it was well into the New Year, and they were making a final check of the alarms before turning in.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get over the look on Uncle Bill’s face,” Dan said for at least the fourth time. “He may never recover.”

Liz giggled, “You don’t think he’s mad at me, do you? He seemed okay when he finally turned in for the night.”

“Are you kidding? I think you might have made this trip worthwhile for him. That alarm light is blinking, isn’t it?” He interrupted the conversation to make sure the side door alarm was turned on and active.

“Yes, it’s activated. I guess you’re right. After all, he did give me a kiss after the ball dropped.”

Dan shot her a look. “What kind of kiss?” The words had come out before he could stop them. He wasn’t at all sure how he had managed to miss the sight of his uncle kissing the attractive blonde security expert.

She turned off her electronic device and took a step closer to him. His remark to Tad earlier that evening had given her enough courage to make a move. The numerous glasses of champagne had helped, too.

“This kind.” She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the lips. “He also said I was really something and if you weren’t smart enough to go out with me because of winning the contest, then he certainly wanted to be my second choice.” She put her hands on his arms as she spoke.

“Am I?” His voice was husky as he moved to close the gap between them even more.

“Are you what?”

“Am I your first choice of eligible bachelors?” His hand moved to unfasten the small gold clip that was holding her hair up. He smiled as the hair tumbled down and he slid the clip easily into his jacket pocket.

“Maybe.” She found it was becoming very difficult to breathe normally.

“Only maybe?” This time his hands moved to bury themselves in her long, silky tresses.

“It depends,” she finally managed to get out.

“Depends on what?” His eyes smoldered as he stared into her brown eyes, witnessing the same desire he was feeling.

“If you kiss better than your uncle or not.”

Dan was done with words. His lips captured hers, just as he had wanted to on the day he went with her to the city to look at apartments. Just a subtle brush across her lips at first, tender and soft, lingering before moving to kiss the rest of her face – the cheeks, eyebrows, forehead – before returning to her lips. He noted with pleasure that she trembled as she shifted to raise her hands from his arms to his neck. He kissed her again, this time crushing her mouth, demanding more, kissing her so thoroughly that when he finally pulled back they were both gasping to breathe.

She stared at him, her eyes wide with shock at the sheer passion he had ignited within her.

“Do you like antiques?” he asked, his tone serious.

Liz blinked, not understanding how he could make the leap -- from a kiss that set her senses on fire, to asking her if she liked antiques. “They’re okay.”

His hand slid up and down her bare arm. “I’ve got this huge antique four poster bed in my room upstairs. I don’t have any idea what kind it is. I was thinking if you liked antiques, we could check it out tonight.” He leaned forward and nipped her ear. “And again in the morning.”

“Oh!” She closed her eyes and swallowed hard, resolving to stand strong against the temptation to do just what he suggested.

“I can’t, Dan. It’s just that I don’t know enough about you yet to do something like that.”

“Like what?” He moved another half step closer, positioning himself to be as close as possible without actually touching her.

“My grandmother….” She swallowed again and took a deep breath. She could smell him now. A clean, fresh scent that was spicy, sporty, and very sexy. “My grandmother told me to never mar--, um…. sleep with a man unless I know seven things.”

“You know seven things about me.” His voice was husky and his meaningful stare created uncertainty that perhaps her grandmother was not so smart after all.

“Not these things.” She resolved to stand strong.

“What things are they?” His hand continued to caress her arm.

She cleared her throat. “Well, the first one is how he spends his money.”

“However you want me to, Dixie.” He answered immediately, with a kiss to her neck. “Now can you come upstairs with me?”

“That’s not… Dan!” She pushed him away then. “Dan, that’s not what she meant! I don’t know if you’re frugal or careless with money. If you give money to charities or if you have a budget and do you save money, those kinds of things. For all I know, you spend all your money on beer and cigarettes.”

“Have you ever seen me anywhere near a cigarette?”

“No,” she shook her head. “But I still need to know more about you.”

“You could ask, Trixie or Honey. They’d tell you I’m not a wastrel about money.”

“No, they wouldn’t,” she chided. “You’re their friend and they don’t talk about their friends like that. They’d just tell me to ask you or watch for myself. They might tell me you were a good person, but that’s all they would say.”

Dan thought for a moment and realized she was probably right. Trixie would never dish personal information on her friends. Not even to another friend.

“You’re the security expert. You can’t hack into my banking records and find that kind of thing out?” He shot her a veiled look from downcast eyes, wondering what her reaction would be to his last suggestion.

“Daniel Mangan! I would never, and I mean never, hack into my friends’ bank records. And just because I can hack doesn’t mean that I would do something so unethical, not to mention illegal! How dare you suggest…”

He grinned and held up a hand in protest. “I take it back! I’m sorry! Gosh, you’re really something you know? When you get angry you’re even more beautiful. Are you sure you don’t want to check out that antique bed?”

She snapped her mouth shut. There was nothing else she could say. What I want and what I’m going to do are two different things. “Come on, Mangan. Let’s finish this job up. We’re both going to need to be up earlier tomorrow than either of us wants to think about.”

“Then you’ll come to my room with me?” He tried not to sound hopeful, but didn’t quite succeed.

“No,” she shook her head and looked at him. “We don’t always get what we want.”