Ready for Anything Under the Sky

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Ready for anything under the sky.

 

Monday morning was business as usual at the Belden-Wheeler Agency. Honey, showing a competitive spirit similar to Bobby and his friends, was pursuing the insurance account with a vengeance.

Despite her focus on winning the business, Honey noticed something different with her best friend this morning.

“Trixie,” Honey spoke from her friend’s doorway. “Trixie,” she said a second time and frowned as she watched Trixie staring dreamily out of her office window. Third time was the charm, when she exclaimed, “TRIXIE!”

“What?” Trixie asked, perplexed at Honey’s expression.

“This is an important account for us,” Honey reminded her friend and partner.

“Yes, I know.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Honey asked carefully. “Do you need me to handle it?”

“Why, Honey Wheeler Belden, what is that supposed to mean?” Trixie cried.

“You just seem so preoccupied today, I want to make sure you can focus on this and not overlook anything. This is our first shot at winning something totally on our own. It’s not an account Daddy steered toward us, or Dan, or any of our friends. This one came to us by good old word of mouth and our solid reputation. I want to win.”

“So do I!” Trixie said emphatically. “Don’t worry, Honey. I’m not going to blow our big chance. We’ve been working all year to get to this point. Oh, what the heck am I saying? We’ve been working since we were thirteen to get to this point.”

“Okay,” Honey nodded handing over the file she had set up. Honey was a stickler for office organization and the operations side of their business. Much to Trixie’s relief, Honey handled the bills, the lease, the phones, everything but the computers, in their business. More than once, Honey’s organizational skills, sharpened from her stint at the Boston District Attorney’s office, had helped them figure out the answer to an investigation. “Do you want to tell me what’s on your mind?”

“No,” Trixie smiled at her friend with twinkling eyes. “Not yet anyway, but soon.”

“Okay,” Honey answered, puzzled. It’s not like her to keep things from me. I wonder what’s up.

 

 

Back in Sleepyside, Brian Belden was getting the same sort of reaction from his best friend, and now colleague, Jim Frayne. They had just returned to the offices of Frayler Academy and Jim had stopped to ask his secretary if he had any messages while he was gone. His disappointment was obvious when she shook her head. Betty Newsome wondered what was up with her boss. Even she could tell something had happened to Jim over the weekend.

“What’s up with you today?” Brian asked curiously. “You’re as edgy as I think I’ve ever seen you.”

“Nothing,” Jim retorted and then grabbed the phone immediately when it rang. It was simply Regan letting him know he had to call the vet about the school dog, Speck. It seemed Speck had gotten into a fight with some animal and Regan was concerned that his injuries might be more serious than they first appeared.

After Jim hung up the phone, Brian leaned forward. “What gives, Frayne? And don’t tell me nothing, because it’s obvious you have something on your mind.”

“Yeah, I do.” Jim ran his hand through his hair and looked at Brian. “I’m just not ready to talk about it yet, okay?”

Brian nodded and wondered if Jim had met a girl over the weekend or something. He decided to keep the discussion centered on work. “So, what did you think about the resumes Dr. Carlos sent you?”

“They look pretty good. I think the key to making this counselor concept work is for these kids to get paid and to get college credit for their work.”

“Well, we can handle the payment easily enough.” Brian answered.

“Yes, that’s not the problem. We want the best and the best want to get credits. Dr. Carlos promised to help. It just seems like it’s an endless stack of forms.” Jim moaned; he hated the paperwork part of his job.

“So, how many students are willing to consider the work without college credit?” Brian asked.

“Only three so far,” Jim admitted.

Brian’s disappointment was obvious. “Well, are they any good?”

“One might be.” Jim pulled the resume off the top of the stack. “Brad Thomas. Dr. Carlos highly recommends him.”

“Well, interview him and get a background check done then,” Brian advised. “The one area where we’re hurting is staff. Even with Margery and Regan working for Frayler, we’re still incredibly short-handed.”

“That’s the understatement of the week!” Jim muttered. He did not want to be reminded of his staffing shortage. For the first time in the weeks the school had been open, he resented the lack of free time it afforded him. He desperately wanted to spend time with Trixie. He knew that six students didn’t seem like much to the outside world but fulfilling his plan for the school’s future meant a solid foundation was mandatory. Jim was taking this foundation very seriously.

By Tuesday evening, Trixie was exhausted. Work seemed incredibly busy at the moment. Between some minor employee background checks for Wheeler Industries, as well as the one Frayler Academy had requested be expedited, she was working all out on the insurance account file Honey had given her. Hard as she tried to focus on her work, Jim Frayne would not stay out of her thoughts. She ran her fingers through her tangled curls and sighed to herself.

She was so tired that when her phone rang she simply picked it up without checking the caller id display.

“Hello, Shamus,” the familiar voice teased. “I had a few minutes and was hoping you were home so I could hear your voice.”

Trixie smiled. It was the voice she wanted to hear, the one that made her heart beat a little faster. If she closed her eyes, she could hear that voice over and over again, whispering the words she held closest to her heart. “Yes I love you, I’ve always loved you. I love you because that’s who I am, nothing can change that. I love you because you’re Trixie, my special girl.”

“I’m home. Tired, but home.”

“Wish I was there with you. I could rub your feet and make you forget how tired you are.” Jim told her wistfully.

“I wish you were here too,” Trixie admitted softly. “It’s hard to believe you’re only fifteen minutes away, but you might as well be in the next town.”

“Well, don’t forget you’re all mine Friday evening.” Jim smiled as he looked at the calendar on his desk. He had drawn a red star and written Important Date/Personal in Friday’s block. “Dress casual, we’re going to eat burgers at Wimpy’s and then see the new movie at the Cameo.”

“Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. Are we still on for riding in the morning?” She anxiously hoping he hadn’t forgotten.

“Yes, that’s really why I called. I wanted to make sure you could get an early start. Don’t you leave for the city fairly early?” Jim asked as he played with the letter opener on his desk.

“Yes, but I’m catching a ride with your Dad in the morning. He’s not leaving until eight-thirty, so we’ll be fine.”

“Great! Well, sweet dreams, Trixie. I love you.” Jim hung up the phone and looked at the clock on his desk making the calculation in his head, only nine hours, twenty-seven minutes and some seconds until I get to see her again.

On her end of the phone line Trixie murmured back to Jim, “I love you too.” She hung up the phone. She didn’t even bother to eat, she was so tired. Knowing she would be asleep within five minutes, Trixie only hoped for more of the same dreams she had been dreaming.

 

 

Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place for Honey on Wednesday during their commute into the city. Matthew Wheeler innocently asked Trixie if she enjoyed her morning ride.

“Yes, the weather was perfect for riding.” She responded honestly, preoccupied due to continued worrying over the insurance account file.

“Did you ride by yourself?” Honey asked in surprise.

Trixie looked up from the file she had been studying. Her flush gave her away before she answered, “No, Jim and I rode together. We exercised Jupiter and Susie just like always.”

Perception sharpened Honey’s gaze, but she said nothing. Later, as they were walking into the office together, she suggested a girl’s night out on Friday.

“Brian will be on twenty-four hour hospital duty Friday how about you, Diana and I get together? You could sleep over; we could have a girl’s night out.”

Trixie mumbled something about having plans.

“Trixie,” Honey was perplexed. “We haven’t had a girl’s night in ages and it’s obvious something is up with you.”

Trixie sighed, “Honey, I can’t I have plans Friday night.” What Trixie had was a date with Jim and since their schedules did not leave them much free time, there was no way she was canceling.

“What kind of plans? Can’t you postpone them or reschedule?” Honey wailed.

“No. I have a date.”

Honey stared at her friend. “A date?” she said incredulously.

Trixie simply walked into their office after she unlocked the door, smiling as she flipped on the lights.

Honey grabbed her arm before she could go into her own office. Trixie stared at her best friend in surprise.

“Trixie, is that all you’re going to tell me?” Honey asked. She could not keep the tone of astonishment out of her voice.

“Yes,” she replied simply.

Honey was taken aback. This was her best friend, the one she told everything to-- almost everything anyway. This was not like Trixie! “Okay, just let me know when you’re ready to talk.” Honey walked back to her own office and shut the door. It was time to call Brian to find out what he knew. After all, I AM a detective. It’s not like I can’t figure this out on my own. Honey mused to herself as she dialed.

On Friday evening, James Winthrop Frayne II arrived five minutes early for what he privately considered his first real date with Beatrix Alicia Belden. There had been school dances and he had escorted her to many functions over the years. This was a date, a boy asking a girl, just the two of them with no hidden agendas or group plans to consider. After eating, he planned for them to catch the late movie at the Cameo; or if Trixie preferred they would rent a movie.

“Hi, Jim,” Trixie greeted him with her usual brilliant smile.

“These are for you.” Jim offered her a delicate bouquet of white orchids. In Jim’s mind, there was no other flower that suited his special girl. An orchid was unique and different; its fragile appearance was deceptive as it was actually sturdy and resilient. He knew that most guys would have brought roses and for a change would bring a color other than red. Jim Frayne was not most guys. His girl was special because she was different, both strong and delicate.

“Thanks,” she replied demurely as she softly touched the petals of the flowers while surreptitiously inspecting her date. He looks fine. I’m glad we’re casual tonight. Trixie had always thought Jim’s outdoorsy good looks incredibly sexy.

“Are you ready to go?” Jim asked politely. They were a little stiff at first. Although they had talked daily they hadn’t seen each other since their all too brief ride on Wednesday. Their job and career responsibilities were managing to keep them quite busy.

“I just need a minute.” Trixie wiggled a bare foot at him and held up the bouquet. She needed to take care of the flowers. They were easy. Pulling a tall, clear drinking glass out of her cabinet she filled it with water, shoving the orchid stems down in the water. She took a step back and looked at the glass on her small kitchen table. Yep, that looks pretty good, she thought to herself, as she hurried back to her bedroom.

Jim studied the arrangement carefully. I can’t believe she just plunked those flowers into a glass like that and they look fantastic! Mother would have spent at least twenty minutes arranging them in a crystal vase. How does she do that?

Trixie disappeared for only a minute and returned wearing shoes and a familiar silver bracelet. She quickly grabbed her purse by the door and handed Jim a jacket.

Jim had said casual, and Trixie was very much into casual. She wore simple blue jeans and a navy blue sweater. Damn, if she doesn’t look like she could be sixteen again. Jim observed silently but with much pleasure.

As Jim helped her slip the jacket on, he dropped a kiss on the top of her head and murmured, “I like you in blue; it’s my favorite color.”

She smiled; she was glad that hadn’t changed.

Wimpy’s was fun and comfortable for their evening out. They were able to relax and talk and get back into a comfortable groove with each other in the familiar surroundings. They ate burgers, shared fries and generally caught up on each other’s lives.

“So staffing is your biggest problem,” Trixie said thoughtfully.

“Yes, it’s difficult to find resident teachers. It’s a big responsibility.”

“But is it really necessary that they teach?” Trixie inquired.

“What do you mean is it necessary? It’s a school,” Jim explained.

“Well, from what you’ve said it seems as if you really need a dorm counselor or a set of house parents. Do they really need to be able to teach a class?”

Jim thought about what she was saying before he answered, “If I found the right person, I guess I wouldn’t care if they could teach a class. Another Regan would be great, someone who would coach them in a sport or help supervise homework, that kind of thing. Regan’s only part-time, you know.”

“I know just the person, and I’ll bet they would be interested.”

“Who?”

“Tad Webster,” she said, nibbling a french fry. “He hates his job in the City. He misses Mrs. Vanderpoel, Spider and Sleepyside like crazy.”

“How do you know all that?”

“Well, I am a detective,” she laughed. “Seriously, I ran into him a few weeks ago in the city and we were talking. He would probably love to live in at Frayler.”

“What’s he doing, didn’t he go to college?”

“Yes, he went to the community college in White Plains and played baseball there. He has an associate’s degree in health and physical education. He spent some time trying to get drafted by the majors, played some minor and bush league ball and gave it up when he messed up his arm. He’s been working as contract labor for the Yankee’s, but it’s basically just maintenance work and he hates it. His job is seasonal and ends after the first of November.”

“You learned all this in one meeting?” Jim was incredulous.

“Pretty much, some of it I knew already from Spider and Dan, of course.” Trixie shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt to talk to him; he’s looking to make a change.”

When they had demolished their burgers, the large order of fries and milkshakes, they decided to walk to the Cameo in order to continue talking a bit longer.

Snuggling on Trixie’s sofa later that evening, Jim was surprised at how willing he had been to simply be with her, to catch up on her life, and laugh with her. They kissed their way through a great deal of the movie, sitting on the back row like two teenagers. In fact, both of them were surprised the back row wasn’t already occupied by the teens from the high school. Later, they learned most of the high school crowd was at the homecoming game.

Jim knew he was already in love with Trixie, but that evening he realized it was more than just love. He was startled to realize that he needed Trixie to complete his life. When he held her in his arms, every star and planet in the universe was properly aligned, and all was right with the world. The feeling almost overwhelmed him. He smiled at her, pulling a curl. She gazed at him adoringly and smiled back.

“Is it okay for me to do that now?” he asked with a smile that was shyer than his familiar grin.

“Yes.”

In the past Jim had looked at Trixie fondly and when he wanted to culminate his feelings he pulled that springy curl. Now, the curl tugging was the catalyst for starting so much more. He couldn’t just pull a curl, now he had to run his fingers through her silky hair. It wasn’t enough just to kiss her tenderly, now he had to caress her neck and shoulders as he kissed her. It was amazing to him how much he wanted her.

He sighed to himself and withdrew slightly. “Trixie, it’s getting late. I can get away for a few hours tomorrow night; we could rent a movie if you like.”

Trixie shook her head, “I’m going over to Mart and Di’s to watch the ball game.”

Jim nodded, “They invited me, too. If you’re going to be there, I’ll try to stop by and see you there.”

“Okay.” Like Jim, she had fallen hard, and reluctantly scooted back a little, smiling as she did. “I had a nice time tonight.”

“Me too. Can I ask you something?” He asked as he held onto her hands.

“Of course you can,” she answered him promptly.

“This is my bracelet you’re wearing tonight, isn’t it?” Jim’s thumb softly caressed the wrist where the silver identification bracelet rested. It was so worn, the name engraved upon its surface was indecipherable.

Trixie nodded shyly. “Yes.”

“So you agree you’re still my special girl?” he asked carefully.

“Yes, if you want me to be.”

Jim pulled her into a tight embrace once again, “More than anything in the world,” he murmured before he reluctantly released her and stood up. “Trix, I better go now.” When he left, Trixie leaned against the door of her apartment, still incredulous that this new relationship was real.

 

 

Friday was Mart and Diana’s shift to stay overnight and supervise Frayler’s students. Until Jim could hire a permanent staff they all took turns on the weekends, doing their best to give Jim some free time away from the school. Despite his obvious excitement over the fulfillment of his life’s dream, his friends worried he would soon burn out with the nonstop responsibility. Of course, it hadn’t taken much for Mart and Di to figure out Jim’s plans that night included a date with Trixie.

Diana smiled as she made sure the boys had everything they needed for the night. They were allowed to stay up later on Friday nights.

“Good night guys, you know where we are if you need us.” Diana told the group before leaving them with their movie.

“Good night, Mrs. Professor Belden!” They all chorused as she smiled and shut the door. She looked around and sighed with contentment, once again satisfied with her life and extremely pleased with her job at Frayler. Mart and I are so lucky, she thought to herself.

Jim had designed the school dormitories together with Mart and Brian. The design included wings of rooms for the students of six rooms each. Each student wing included a common area, a small kitchenette, a guest suite and bathrooms. While each student would have the privacy of his own bedroom, each shared a connecting bathroom with another student as well as a common, comfortable area for relaxing, watching television or spending time with the other students in that wing. The connecting wings included four full live-in suites for counselors or dorm parents assigned to each wing. Since Jim only had six students, only one student wing was opened and furnished. However, all of the counselor suites were being used; one by Jim, another by Mart and Di, Regan and Margery Trask used the remaining two. All of them had living quarters elsewhere and considered this a temporary but necessary solution.

Diana met Mart in the connecting hallway after she had checked on the boys. He was returning from setting the alarm and they walked back to their suite to settle in for the evening. Mart would check again at curfew to make sure the boys had observed lights out, but neither of them liked to stand over their charges. They recognized the students’ needs for unsupervised time together.

Di smiled at Mart, “Do you regret giving our notice at the apartment?” she asked him as she squeezed his hand. They had become so comfortable staying at their Frayler suite that they had turned in their notice to give up their apartment.

“Are you kidding? Do you realize how much our house fund is going to start growing with that rent amount added?” Mart grinned just thinking about it. At the end of the month they would vacate the apartment and become full-time resident teachers at Frayler.

“Just making sure. After all, we made another major decision at the same time.” Diana reminded him.

“Well, sure, but we have plenty of room here, Di. You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

“No, I’m not. I love all those boys, they’re great kids. Jim could have done a lot worse.”

“We agree then, so how about a movie?”

Diana nodded. “Sure, pick one out and get started. I’m just going to change into jammies first so I can be comfortable.” Diana had decided the time was ripe to give Mart some payback for his role in keeping Jim from dating Trixie back in high school.

“Sure thing, I’ll pop some popcorn as well. Diet Coke for you?” he asked automatically knowing her favorite drink.

“Yes, please. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Di smiled and left. It would take her but a moment to set this particular trap.

Mart was a firm believer that microwave popcorn might well be one of science’s greatest inventions, since it took exactly two minutes and forty-five seconds for him to have a bowl of his favorite snack food. He fixed sodas while the microwave worked its mysterious magic and was sitting on the sofa ready to start the movie when Diana finally made her appearance.

“I imagine Jim will just stay at Trixie’s tonight, don’t you?” She said innocently as she walked out of their bedroom. She had deliberately worn Mart’s favorite negligee.

Mart was watching his sexy and beautiful wife closely and it took a moment for her words to sink in.

“What? What did you say?” He asked, not believing what he thought he heard.

“I don’t expect Jim will be back tonight. Don’t you imagine he’ll just stay at Trixie’s?” Diana repeated, carefully brushing her hair.

“Hell no, he better not!” Mart sat up almost spilling the bowl of popcorn he had in his lap.

Diana managed to suppress a grin; it was the reaction she had hoped for. “Why, what do you mean?” she said in surprise. “I mean, it’s his night off and they probably can’t wait to spend it together.”

“Diana, please, say you don’t believe that,” Mart begged.

“Mart, what has gotten into you? I thought this is what you wanted, Jim and Trixie to be together.”

“Well yes, but not like that, at least not yet, I mean, gleeps Di, I wish you hadn’t even put that image into my brain.”

“Martin Belden! The way you carry on, one would think you were a prude.”

“Di, we are talking about my sister. My little sister,” Mart implored. “I simply can’t think of her like that. It’s almost as bad as imagining my parents.”

“What’s wrong with imagining your parents together?” she demanded with an innocent smile. “I mean, there are four of you and everything; I imagine it was something they did pretty often. They seem very affectionate.”

“Diana, please. You’re killing me over here. I don’t want to think of Moms and Dad together that way, much less Jim and Trixie. Hell, they aren’t even engaged.”

“Really Mart, you are positively provincial in your attitude. Do you happen to remember what century this is? Couples don’t wait until marriage anymore. I’m sure Jim will want to stay tonight with Trixie and she’ll probably want him too as well.”

“Diana, I implore you, even if you believe that such a thing is true, lie to me, please. Tell me that my sister would never do something like that before she was at least engaged to a man.” Mart’s face was a study in the art of supplication

“Lie to you, huh?” Her eyes were wide and her long lashes fluttered. “Like, do I need to remind you of our dating years, Mart? How often did you try and convince me that there was no need to wait? Don’t you think Trixie, Honey, and I all discussed your arguments?”

“You talked about us with Trixie?” Mart said weakly.

“Well, not exactly,” Diana admitted. “But why do you think it would have been okay for us to be together like that when we were dating and not Jim and Trixie?” She asked him, letting her robe slide off her shoulders. She snuggled up next to him now, sliding her hand up under his tee shirt.

“Hmmmm,” he murmured as he stroked her hair. “I like this.”

Diana smiled to herself, before leaning over him and moving his bowl of popcorn carefully to the table next to the sofa. “Mart, you didn’t answer me, why would it be okay for us to have sex while we were dating and not Jim and Trixie?” She managed to brush his chest quite seductively while she moved the popcorn.

“Di, I don’t want to think about Jim and Trixie right now, much less talk about them.” Mart said in a low voice as he slipped one of the spaghetti straps off her shoulder, revealing more of her creamy skin.

“No Mart, I want to talk about it!” Diana insisted. “Surely you realize that Jim is quite an attractive man. He has such a supple physique and then there is that magnificent ass.”

“What do you know about Jim’s butt?” Mart cried sitting up with a jerk.

“You should know exactly what I know about it, Mart.” Diana reminded him, trailing a finger down his neck and shoulder, “You were there.”

“That doesn’t mean you should have been looking,” he grumbled. Diana had managed to hit on one of his sore spots.

“I’m not sure how we could have gotten the job done without me looking.” Diana responded carefully. “But I’m going to ask you one more time. If you don’t answer this time then I guess I’ll just go take a bubble bath and read for a while. Why did you push for us to have sex while we were dating, but now it’s not okay for Jim and Trixie?”

“It’s not the same thing. We were more mature and responsible than Trixie. You know how she is, Di. She’s so impetuous! She’ll just act without thinking.”

“Oh, Mart, Trixie hasn’t acted without thinking carefully in almost ten years. Are you always going to hold a few impulsive decisions she made when she was thirteen against her?” Diana’s fingers were now making Mart hot and bothered.

“Yes, I am,” he admitted freely kissing his wife passionately. “Can’t we talk about something else now?”

“So you agree then, Jim will probably spend the night with Trixie?” Diana murmured against Mart’s neck.

“No, I don’t agree. But I’m definitely having a conversation with Dr. Frayne this weekend,” Mart answered without thinking.

“No, you’re not!” Di answered emphatically as she straddled Mart, and placed her arms softly around his neck.

“I’m not?” he quavered.

“Mart, you and I both know that Jim will not spend the night at Trixie’s apartment. I was just teasing you to pay you back for those high school years. But you are not discussing Trixie with Jim. Not tonight, not tomorrow, not anytime unless I give you my very own written permission!”

“Diana, I just want to make sure…” Mart started.

“Mart, look at me. You are not going to do that. You must realize what it looks like to both of them; it looks like you don’t trust them. You do trust them don’t you?”

“Well, of course, you know I do. I would trust either of them with my life,” Mart admitted.

“Okay, you trust them with your life but not with each other’s? Is that what you are saying?” Diana honed the point of her inquisition.

“Okay, I promise I won’t say a word.” Mart grinned at his lovely wife. Brains and beauty, I have to be the luckiest guy in the world, he thought to himself.

“Now, promise you won’t say many words either, or send an email or a letter.” Diana grinned too; she knew what he was thinking.

“I promise never to verbalize or otherwise communicate any concerns to Jim or Trixie about their relationship, without the express written permission of my gorgeous and sexy wife. But, if he hurts her, all promises are off,” Mart warned.

“Jim would never hurt her.” Diana wiggled so she was even closer to Mart. “I just want them to have what we have.”

“Diana, no one could ever have what we have,” Mart told her tenderly. “You wore this to distract me didn’t you, so I would promise not to interfere?”

“Of course, sweetie, it is your favorite, right?”

“It’s my favorite once it hits the floor,” Mart teased as he caressed her arms.

“Hmm,” Di nuzzled his neck before leaning back and grabbing the hem of her gown. In a sexy cross arm move that drove Mart insane with desire she pulled it over her head and dropped it on the floor. “Now, is it your favorite?”

“My very favorite,” he answered as he kissed her. In a move that took her breath away, he stood up with her still straddling his waist, his hands cupping her derriere. “Let me show you why,” he told her in a husky voice as he carried her into the bedroom. No one could have this, Mart thought to himself. What we have is just too perfect.

 

 

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