Do You Dare to Go In?

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked
Some windows are lighted, but mostly they're dark
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?

 

All of the Bob-Whites were busy leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. Brian worked extra shifts, Honey and Trixie ended up spending the night in the city to get ahead on some cases, Jim worked added hours in training new staff, Diana and Mart covered extra classes for Jim. They all had one purpose: to free up time to spend with friends and family over the holiday weekend. Even Dan and Spider managed to squeeze in the weekend off from their assignment to the joint-task force.

The day before Thanksgiving was always busy for Helen Belden. She traditionally spent the day cooking, baking, slicing, dicing and preparing most of the food that would be served at her annual Thanksgiving Open House. Helen was delighted with the offers of help she had received from her daughter and daughters-in-law. Trixie and Honey arrived early that morning. Diana would join them that afternoon.

The trio had only just started working when Celia arrived with a large pound cake and a sack full of sweet potatoes.

“Do you want me to peel these potatoes for you?” she asked as she set the bag on the tile floor and carefully deposited the cake on the counter.

“No, I have plenty of help,” Helen teased giving the girls a wink. “Diana will be here this afternoon. Just sit down and have some coffee, or would you prefer tea?”

“Tea, please” Celia replied as she sat and picked up a cookie to nibble from the tray Helen slid in front of her. “Trixie, have you made any progress on Tim’s problem?”

“Well, yes and no.” Trixie answered as she measured and mixed the ingredients for dough. Kneading dough was her favorite task in the kitchen. “Jim and I managed to talk with some auto mechanics from White Plains, but by the time I found a slightly wrecked car and made it over to their shop, there was no sign of my bowling friend who gave me the information. When I pumped the repair manager about waiving my deductible, he acted like I was crazy.”

“What do you think that means?” Celia asked, smiling gratefully at Helen as she set the fragrant cup of tea in front of her.

Trixie shook her head, “I think his buddies ratted him out and the shop manager was warned.”

“Oh, Trixie!” Honey wailed. “It could be he was the one doing it and the shop manager fired him. We don’t know that’s what happened.”

“I know, Honey, but she did ask me what I thought and that is what I think. The shop manager looked too much like a weasel to me.”

Honey smiled as she worked. Bad guys always looked like weasels to Trixie!

“What’s next?” Celia asked, as she sipped her tea.

“Well, we have a couple of options; we can go back to the bowling alley and see if we run into Buddy and his friends. We can wait a few weeks and send someone else over to the auto repair shop, or we can just kind of shop around the various mechanic shops in White Plains, Sleepyside and the surrounding townships.”

“That sounds like it will take quite a bit of time,” Celia said hesitantly.

“It will, but we want to see what we can do for Tim. Honey asked our client to run some claims data on auto repairs in this area. Hopefully, they’ll assign us some cases and we can get paid for this.”

“Trixie-- we don’t want you to be out anything working this case.”

“Celia, if you think you could stop Trixie now, then you forgot what she’s like,” Honey chimed in as she looked up from the casserole recipe she was following carefully. “There’s going to be no stopping her now.”

“Okay, but if you hit too many dead-ends or roadblocks, promise me you won’t waste your time when you could be doing work for paying customers.”

“Don’t worry, Celia,” Honey winked. “We’re expanding as quickly as we can. Trixie’s roommate from college is going to be working for us by the end of the year. She’ll be in town this weekend. Do you remember meeting Liz?”

Celia nodded as she replied. “She should be a great addition to the team. Isn’t she some kind of computer whiz?”

“Yep, brains, beauty and a terrific hacker. She could have any job she wanted with the Government.” Trixie said proudly, as she dumped her dough out and began to enthusiastically knead and pound on it.

“When will she arrive?” Celia asked as she sipped her tea.

“Around six or so tonight, Jim, Dan and I will pick her up at the train station.” Trixie replied casually.

Honey looked up suddenly peering at Trixie. That remark was altogether too innocent. “What are you up to?” she demanded.

“Jim’s SUV will have plenty of room for Liz’s luggage.” Trixie replied with an innocent air that belied the twinkle in her eye.

“Trixie Belden, you are up to something,” Honey responded. “Give, we won’t tell.”

“Well…. It’s just that I’ve always thought Liz and Dan would hit it off,” Trixie answered, with a wicked grin. “I just want to throw them together and see what happens. You remember how well they seemed to get along when I brought her to New York and we stayed with the guys.”

Honey thought back. It was the same weekend Brian had blatantly flirted with her, asking her if she were interested in being more than just friends, but she did remember the playful banter between Liz and Dan. There had definitely been an attraction between the two of them. Honey frowned. Trixie was so obvious! She knew Dan and Liz would figure it out immediately. Before she could say anything, Celia interrupted.

“Well, our Dan needs a nice girl, that’s for sure. He spends entirely too much time at work and that task force just consumes him. Even Mr. Maypenny is worried about him. Will Dan have any time this weekend to spend with the Bob-Whites?”

Trixie smiled and gazed off into space with a silly look on her face. “Yes, Dan’s off work the same as Jim. Spider took off to spend Thanksgiving with Mrs. Vanderpoel, Tad and the boys at Frayler. Dan and Spider have worked so hard on this task force they haven’t used up their leave. They can only keep so much to take forward into next year and the county, township and NYPD all want the task force finished by the end of March. Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Vanderpoel are hosting Thanksgiving for the school. Thanks to us getting that background check through so quickly, Tad officially started to work on Monday. There should be plenty of opportunities to put Liz and Dan together.”

She was pleased at the way everything had come together for Tad to start work at Frayler. Tad was excited and he believed a holiday week like Thanksgiving was a great time to start working with the kids at the school. He was savvy enough to understand that the boys would act differently without the presence of their headmaster. Tad would learn a lot more about the boys and their quirks without the formality of classes and the presence of Jim. Tad had even won a battle that Trixie had not; Jim was going to allow the boys to call him Coach.

Celia stood to leave, “Thanks for the tea, Helen. You girls sound like you have it under control. It’s amazing what all you do. Tom and I appreciate your help.”

“You’re welcome, Celia. We will see you tomorrow and thanks for the cake and yams.” Helen told her.

Trixie set the bread aside and asked Moms what she should do next. Helen took a look around the kitchen and shook her head, “I don’t guess you would want to dust the downstairs, would you?”

 

 

The day before Thanksgiving was busy for Jim Frayne as well. Classes for the most part were over for the week but the boys had some projects to do for the upcoming Holidays. He had started his morning spending time with his students, an activity that always left him in a good mood.

It was now well into the morning and he was heading over to Manor House to meet his Dad before he left for the city. He smiled as he remembered his conversation with Peter Belden, pleased with how things had gone during their meeting.

“Jim!” Matthew said in obvious pleasure as Jim walked into his study. “What brings you here today? I thought you had a lot to get done before your break this weekend?”

“Margery said you had to make a quick trip to the city today for a meeting. I thought you might want a ride to the station,” Jim offered.

“That would be great! But tell me, why are you really here? We both know I have Tom, or his business anyway, to give me all the rides I need.” Matthew smiled jovially. It was obvious to Matthew that Jim had important news to share.

“I met with Peter Belden,” Jim said simply.

 

 

“How’s the school, Jim?” Peter asked pleasantly, genuinely interested in how Jim was doing.

“It’s going pretty well, sir. I’m really here to ask you a question about Trixie.” Jim told him honestly.

“Trixie?” Peter asked, noting a hint of anxiety on Jim’s face. “What can I help you with Jim?” Peter asked quietly, his eyes full of a curiosity Jim had seen often enough in Trixie’s blue eyes.

“I’m in love with your daughter” he admitted apprehensively.

Peter laughed, “Okay, Jim. What’s going on? You’ve been in love with my daughter for at least ten years.”

Jim smiled to himself, wondering why that had been obvious to everyone but Trixie!

“We... Me…” Jim’s anxiety was about to get the best of him, when he took a deep breath. “Sir, Trixie and I, we finally understand each other. What we feel for each other, it’s the real thing, true love, she’s everything to me -- the light of my life, my everything, all of that.” Jim felt as if his words sounded corny and quaint, not recognizing like Peter did, the blatant sincerity in his voice that made them ring true to the one man who loved Trixie as much as Jim.

Peter sat there frozen for almost a full minute digesting what Jim had said to him, realizing what was coming next, he was going to lose his princess to this young man. Peter wondered briefly, if Jim knew what a wonderful treasure he was getting.

Jim flushed, realizing who he was with and wondering what Peter was thinking. “What I’m trying to tell you, sir, I want to ask your daughter to marry me. It would mean a lot to me to have your blessing.”

Peter nodded thoughtfully, “Jim, the only person who really matters is Trixie. If her answer to you is yes, then, I guess you could say there isn’t anyone I’d rather have as my son-in-law.”

Jim could breathe again; he realized he had been holding his breath. “Thank you, sir! I promise you she’ll always be the most important thing in my life.”

“I’m counting on it, son. Now, do you want me to get that ring you gave her out of the safe deposit box?” Peter Belden offered.

Jim looked surprised, “You don’t think she will want a new ring?”

Peter Belden laughed. “Just how well do you think you know Trixie? That girl will always be my princess and there are a lot of unusual things she might want, but I promise you another diamond ring isn’t one of them. Let’s go get you the ring, son; you take care of the rest.”

Jim’s head nodded slowly, “Thank you, sir.”

“You are most welcome. Now if you think you could just manage to call me Peter I think we’ll consider ourselves squared away.” Peter Belden’s dark eyes looked serious enough, but his grin gave him away. For a moment, Jim saw Brian looking at him instead of Mr. Belden.

“I think we are square then, Peter.” The two men shook hands.

 

 

“Are you going to tell me what made you finally decide to do this?” Matthew asked Jim curiously.

“I need her,” Jim answered simply.

“Jim, if you want to spend the rest of your life with Trixie, then you should know your mother and I have faith in you both. You’ve known Trixie long enough to know what you’re getting into. It will just be one crazy adventure after the other. You’ll never be bored.” Matthew told him half-seriously as he stood to reach for his briefcase.

Jim grinned back at his father. The smile was so like Winthrop Frayne, it tugged at Matthew’s heart.

“I hope you’re right Dad, in fact I’m kind of counting on it. Boring is for wimps.”

The two men laughed and walked out of the room to drive to the station.

 

 

Bobby Belden arrived in Sleepyside on an early train. He was debating the merits of calling Crabapple Farm for a ride or catching a cab and surprising everyone when he crossed paths with Matthew Wheeler and Jim Frayne.

“Hey, Bobby! I had no idea you were coming home for Thanksgiving!” Jim gave him a hearty welcome.

“Welcome home, Bob. You’ve managed to give me some pleasant moments, watching Syracuse have such a great season. We’ll talk tomorrow I hope, but now I have to grab that train.” Matthew Wheeler shook his hand quickly, marveling at how grown up Bobby Belden had become, reminding him of Mart and Trixie, but also, he could see some of Dan, Jim and Brian in the boy as well. The influence of the Bob-Whites was definitely there in the boy’s manners and integrity.

Both of them watched Matthew grab his train before Bobby spoke up. “This is great, Jim. Any chance you can give me a ride to Crabapple Farm? I’d like to surprise Moms.”

“Sure thing! Let’s go.”

As the two men buckled their seat belts in Jim’s SUV, Jim asked how he managed to make it home for Thanksgiving.

“The coach cancelled practices until Friday. I’ll have to go back early Friday morning, maybe even late tomorrow, but at least I won’t miss the open house.”

“How do you feel about your chances for the national championship?” Jim asked.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Bobby shrugged. “I guess we have a shot. How do you feel about your chances with my sister?”

Jim glanced across the car at the youngest Belden. “I guess I have a shot. Why?”

“Look, Jim, I’m no Brian or Mart. I’ve always wanted you to be my brother-in-law, far longer than you could ever imagine. I’ve spoken to Trixie several times since your school came down for the football weekend. Where are things going with you and Trixie?”

“Bobby, like I told your brothers, what’s between me and Trixie is going to stay between me and Trixie. You just need to trust us to do the right thing.”

“Listen, Jim, I’m not Brian nor Mart. This isn’t about anything, well physical, with my sister. I want to know where are you going in your relationship with Trixie?”

Jim shot a look across the car. “Look, I know I owe you a debt in helping us get together, but I’m not explaining our relationship to you. If you want to know that, then ask Trixie.”

“What do you mean owe me a debt? I’m her brother! I only have her best interests at heart.”

“Uh, Bobby, the elevator, remember the elevator? We both know that elevator didn’t just break. You fixed it up.”

“How did you know?” Bobby was flabbergasted.

“Let’s just say that the music was a little too convenient.” Jim smiled, he had been pretty sure it was a set-up and Bobby had just confirmed it.

“Are you going to tell Trixie?”

“Only if she asks,” Jim replied a twinkle in his green eyes.

 

 

Trixie hung her dust rag under the sink, and turned to wash her hands, humming as she looked out the window, stars in her eyes.

Helen studied her daughter thoughtfully, noticing the daydreaming. She knew Trixie was daydreaming about a handsome, red-headed schoolmaster.

Trixie moved pensively to bowl of bread dough she had left to rise and without looking up hummed a Christmas song as she started to knead the dough.

Helen exchanged a look with Honey, her eyebrows raised in question, not surprised when Honey nodded and whispered confirmation that had become normal behavior for Trixie. Helen wondered how involved her daughter and Jim were. Maybe it’s time to push the point, she thought.

“So, how serious are things with you and Jim?” Helen asked, doing her best to sound nonchalant.

“Oh, Moms,” Trixie sighed as looked dreamily out the window. “He is the most wonderful guy in the world.”

“Look out,” Honey murmured, “She’s going to be gone for a while if we don’t pull her back. I recognize that look from the office.”

“Trixie, I know he’s wonderful. So does Honey.” Helen told her daughter kindly, “What I want to know is how are things between the two of you are?”

“Oh,” Trixie replied softly. “Things are great between the two of us right now.” She had stopped kneading the bread and was gazing out the kitchen window. Although she was still standing with them in the kitchen, mentally she was miles and miles away.

“See what I mean?” Honey whispered to Helen.

Helen nodded and then grinned at Honey, giving her a wink.

“So, you really like him, huh?” Helen asked innocently.

Trixie nodded, “Oh yes, more than I ever imagined I could Moms. He is just so, so……”

“Wonderful?” Honey offered, smiling.

Trixie nodded, “Definitely wonderful!”

“Your father always thought he was very honorable.” Helen added.

“Yes, he’s definitely honorable, wonderful and honorable.”

“He’s also very athletic! Even for a brother he always seems so supple to me.” Honey figured she could play along with Moms.

“Jim is unquestioningly supple.” Trixie’s expression was beatific. “He’s wonderful, honorable and supple.”

“He’s a good looking young man, very handsome.” Moms murmured as she pulled her pies out of the oven.

“Well yes, I think so.”

“Hmph, I don’t intend to tell my older brother he’s all that -- honorable, wonderful, supple and handsome.” Honey sniffed. “Next you’ll be saying he’s perfectly perfect.”

“Right,” Helen agreed, “and probably too sexy for his clothes and a fantastic lover.”

“Oh, he’s all that.” Trixie said dreamily. “What?” Trixie came back to the kitchen at Crabapple Farm with a jolt as she realized her mother had just said something she didn’t quite catch.

“I said Jim was sexy and probably a fantastic lover.” Helen repeated herself. “And then you agreed.”

“MOMS!” Trixie yelped.

Helen simply shrugged, “Well, it is an important part of a relationship.”

Honey decided to continue working. It might be better to pretend to ignore this part of the conversation. Of course, she certainly agreed with Moms; it was an important part of her relationship with Brian, a very important part! At the same time it was not a part she wanted to discuss with her mother-in-law.

“Moms, I…” Trixie stammered, looking over at her friend. She knew Honey was only pretending disinterest. “Moms, Honey is Jim’s sister, I mean I don’t think, well…”

“Yes, I know that Honey is Jim’s sister.” Helen continued quietly, “and she’s your best friend and she’s married to your brother and she’s my daughter-in-law. Don’t use Honey as an excuse here, if you don’t want to tell me just say so. I know you don’t need the lecture on being prepared.”

Trixie sighed; if she couldn’t have this conversation with her Moms and Honey she didn’t think she would be able to have it with anyone. “No, I haven’t moved into a physical relationship with Jim, at least not yet. We’ve both held back from that so far.”

Trixie started kneading her dough again; it was easier to get the words out if she just focused her eyes on that big blob of dough. “Moms, I haven’t been with anyone like that and I just need to be sure it’s the right time.” Trixie explained.

“Oh, I thought that you and John had probably, well, never mind.”

Honey giggled, looked up and caught Trixie’s eye before they both burst out laughing.

“What?” Helen asked, “What’s so funny about that?”

“What is it about John that everyone thinks that?” Trixie asked the room at large. She smiled at her mother. “Moms, John is gay. He wanted to meet Dan. Actually he wanted more than just to meet him, but I was finally able to convince him that Dan would not be interested. He’s a really good friend and I guess we were a touchy-feely team, but John and I never did anything other than be there for each other.”

“Oh my, what a waste,” Helen whispered as she remembered John.

“Hmm, that’s pretty much what Honey thought too.” Trixie said dryly.

Helen wasn’t quite finished. She leaned across the table and grabbed Trixie’s arm so that Trixie looked into her eyes. “Sweetie, I trust that you’ll know when the time is right. Your father and I, we always thought Jim was the one for you. Both of us only want you to be happy.”

Trixie nodded. Things were quiet for a few minutes before she broke the comfortable silence.

“Moms, was there ever any one for you besides Daddy?”

“There was a time when I was interested in a different man, but it didn’t work out.” Moms answered, slowly.

“Who was it?” Trixie and Honey asked curiously.

“Uncle Harold,” Helen replied. She laughed at Trixie’s expression of astonishment.

 

 

Another Thanksgiving in Sleepyside! Ben thought to himself as he loaded up his briefcase with the paraphernalia he considered essential to a long-weekend away. Blackberry, laptop, cell phone, iPod, he was ready. He knew there would be a car waiting for him at the station.

I wonder what will be happening this year. One thing Ben knew for sure was that there would never be a dull moment in Sleepyside. How in the world did it ever get to be called Sleepyside? Even since the days of Ichabod Crane and all those crazy stories Brom used to tell Bobby, it’s never been a sleepy little town!

The train was packed, but then it was that time of year. Ben mused to himself, smiling from time to time as he flipped through various tunes on his iPod. His music tastes were quite eclectic. He had everything from classical to hard rock to the country and western tunes he loved. He was thankful that with his iPod he was spared listening to any Christmas music yet.

Wonder what will be happening with Jim and Trixie this year? He thought to himself. I wonder if they’re still dancing around how they feel. If she’s over him, I wouldn’t mind going out with her. Last time I saw her, she was really something! Brains, looks, energy -- Jim’s a fool , Ben mused. Of course, I don’t think she’s ever forgiven me for that stunt I pulled, even if she eventually fixed things for Jim. Maybe she’ll be willing to let bygones be bygones.

Ben had a small carry-on but he noticed an attractive, petite blond who was struggling with several bags. He gallantly offered to assist her and she smiled up at him, as if she expected help.

“Why, yes, thank you, that would be wonderful!” Her smile turned her from attractive to truly beautiful. Even the small, gold, wire-rimmed glasses she wore didn’t turn him off; in fact, they seemed to accentuate her large, brown eyes.

He assisted her as they disembarked from the train, and she bestowed another gracious smile on him as she signaled for a porter.

“I’ll be happy to help you with the rest of your luggage.”

“Oh, I have too much, I’ll just get a porter to help,” she said, and as if by magic, one appeared to assist her.

“Miz Wilson, I have your bags right over here, just like you had asked,” the porter informed her, obviously bewitched by her charm and the handsome tip she had provided at the beginning of her trip.

“Perhaps I could be of assistance? Do you need a ride? I do have a car.” Ben said cordially.

The young woman frowned, “Thank you, but I need to call my friends. I’m on an earlier train than they expected. A ride won’t do me any good if they’re not home.”

Ben mentally kicked himself. No girl in her right mind was going to accept a ride from a stranger; he would have had more luck asking for her cell phone number. He deliberately loitered, intrigued by the vivacious young woman, who for some reason reminded him of the petite blond he had been thinking of earlier, even though their only commonality was short stature and fair hair.

He heard her talking on the phone then and listened more carefully.

“Dang it, Trixie! Where are you?” the young lady muttered.

It had to be the same person. Should he be quiet or say something? Tough call: maybe he should just make his own phone call and let her overhear him. He made his decision and rapidly punched numbers into his cell phone.

“Celia? …Hello, it’s Ben. I’m at the station and wanted to make sure I didn’t need to pick anything up for you on my way in.” He paused as he listened to Celia.

“Okay, well, is Honey around? I wanted to check in with her. Oh, she’s at Crabapple Farm helping Mrs. Belden. Okay, maybe I’ll just stop by the farm. Are the rest of the Bob-Whites there as well? Great, well thanks, Celia, I’ll see you in a bit.”

He looked up and saw the blond gazing at him thoughtfully, it had worked. “Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked her again, with a charming smile.

“It’s incredibly rude of me to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help but overhear you on your phone just now. Did you say you were going to Crabapple Farm?”

“Why, yes, I am! My cousin, Honey Wheeler, uh Belden, is there. Do you know the Beldens?”

“Yes, the friend I mentioned, Trixie Belden, was my roommate in college. She’s expecting me today, only later.”

“Well, then perhaps you could use that ride after all. Shall we?” he asked doing a high five inside his head.

“Thank you, Mr.?”

“So sorry,” Ben held out his hand. “I’m Ben Riker; I’m an attorney in New York.”

“You’re Ben?” she stuttered in amazement as she shook his hand.

“Now, don’t tell me you’ve heard of me?” he said with a beguiling smile as he began to push her luggage towards the front of the station.

“Well, yes, I have. Trixie’s mentioned you several times.”

“All good, I trust?”

“You’re certainly not what I expected,” she murmured. “Sorry, I’m Elizabeth Wilson.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth. How long are you visiting Trixie? Until the end of the year?” he asked as he began to load no less than seven bags into the trunk of the car the Wheelers had arranged for him to use.

“Just for the weekend,” she said absently.

“But you have seven bags,” he said as he looked at her more closely, peering into her eyes. He thought she was joking with him, but he saw now that her eyes were clear and bright. Ben prided himself on being able to detect dishonesty in a witness.

“Yes, I might have enough to last me for the long weekend, at least I hope so.”

“You did say you were friends with Trixie Belden, correct?” Ben sought clarification.

“Yes, oh you mean because of all the bags? Well, a girl has to be prepared. Five days, three changes per day, plus shoes. You realize there’s a lot going on this week. I just needed to be prepared.”

Ben laughed, “Fair enough!” He walked around to open the passenger door, making sure her coat was tucked in. He noticed that she expected such treatment from the male species, another difference between her and Trixie.

“So, do you have any wild college stories to share with me about our mutual friend Trix?” he said affably as he cranked the car.

None that I plan to tell you,” she answered with a secret smile. “At least not yet!” and she winked at him.

 

 

Diana had arrived back at Crabapple farm and cheerfully started peeling sweet potatoes. “Tad showed up and made me come on over,” she explained. “I told him I was sure you two would save me all the things you didn’t want to do and he felt sorry for me.”

Di knew how to get help from almost anyone! Honey and Trixie exchanged guilty looks as they each picked up a knife. They were almost finished, when Honey moved to dump the peeled potatoes into the sink to wash them. Looking out the window she spied Jim pulling up and announced, “The wonderful, supple, perfect, handsome, sexy, lover boy has arrived.”

“Mart’s here?” Di asked, looking up with a puzzled expression. She was not expecting him so early.

Trixie, Honey and Helen burst out laughing. Trixie laughed so hard she had to sit down, and even Helen had to wipe tears from her eyes.

They were trying to explain to a confused Diana when Jim walked in followed by a grinning Bobby Belden. Both men sniffed the air appreciatively. “It sure smells wonderful in here,” Jim announced. “Are there any free samples being given out?”

Helen hugged Bobby, surprised and happy he had managed to make it home for Thanksgiving.

Trixie gave Jim a seductive smile and fed him a piece of a cookie that had broken when she took them off the tray.

Honey quietly explained the joke about the arrival of the sexy lover boy to Diana.

Helen quickly prepared a snack for her youngest son as she watched the interaction between her daughter and Jim very closely while she worked. It was obvious they were in love with each other. Not just from the way they spoke, touched and looked at each other, but she could actually feel the spark between them. She sighed as she sat down, deep in thought.

“Moms are you okay?” Diana asked worriedly, she had noticed the sigh before Helen sat down.

Trixie turned and frowned. She had been focused on Jim, not her mother.

“I’m fine.” Helen told her. “All this work and preparation, I guess I’m just not as young as I used to be.” Helen knew her excuse was flimsy, but she knew the truth would only embarrass Jim and Trixie. You just couldn’t announce to a room full of people that you were overcome by the fact your daughter had finally found her soul mate.

“Moms, just sit there and let us fix you some tea. You’ve more than earned a break. All we have left is the sweet potatoes, the turkey and the stuffing, right?”

“Yes, that’s all. Some tea would be nice.” Helen smiled gratefully at the “kids” gathered in her kitchen.

“Just sit and relax for a while.” Trixie told her. “Visit with Bobby, while Honey, Diana, Jim and I clean up in here. We can finish up for you. We have hours until we have to pick up Liz, don’t we, Jim?”

The girls and Jim agreed and offered their services promptly. Jim didn’t care what they were doing, as long as he could spend time with Trixie, although he was more than a little anxious to get out from under the watchful eye of Bobby Belden.

Bobby and the Bob-Whites worked diligently, pushing Moms to relax and let them finish the needed work. The party grew livelier as Mart arrived, followed by Brian and then Peter. Everyone was there except for Dan.

Jim watched quietly as Trixie’s dad entered the cozy kitchen. He gave his wife a kiss and a hug, complimenting her and stroking her hair. Jim could tell he was surprised to find her sitting while the others were working. He gave his daughter a kiss, asking how his princess was doing. Then Peter turned to his youngest son and welcomed him home with a hug, and congratulated him on an outstanding season. Without even trying, Peter Belden was a role model to his sons and to Jim. He spoke to each of the Bob-Whites, making them all feel comfortable in his home.

 

 

Ben and Liz arrived at Crabapple Farm at dusk. The windows of the homey farmhouse were lit, casting a warm and welcoming glow into the surrounding yard.

“The only thing missing is snow,” Ben murmured as he parked the car.

“Snow?” Liz asked curiously.

“Oh, just remembering a previous Thanksgiving I spent in Sleepyside. Going by the cars they must have a full house.”

“Yes, and here come some more,” Liz looked into the side mirror and noticed a jeep pulling up behind them in the driveway.

Ben jumped out to open Liz’s door as she demurely waited, expecting no lesser treatment. She heard voices and peered out the window, trying to see who had pulled up behind, them.

Her door was opened and she smiled at her escort, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw not the handsome blond gentlemen who had helped her at the train station, but the dark, brooding eyes of Trixie’s friend, Dan Mangan. She sucked her breath in as he grinned at her cheekily.

“Hey, Dixie. What brings you to Sleepyside?” Not waiting for an answer, he leaned forward and gave her a kiss. Not a peck on the cheek, but the kind of kiss that left her wondering if he was interested. It was the same kind of kiss they had shared when she first met him, five years previously. The same spark of attraction was still there.

Ben glared, not happy at all with Dan’s interference.

“Do you know each other?” he asked more coldly than he intended.

“Yes, I met Daniel several years ago when I spent a Thanksgiving with Trixie,” Liz explained, her voice also more formal than she intended.

Dan grinned, his finger flicked her cheek, “You’re looking good, Dixie. It’s been a while. Where did you manage to hook up with this loser?” He jerked a thumb towards Ben, who was seething.

“We ran into each other at the train station,” she said carefully. “That’s where we learned we were heading to the same place, so Mr. Riker gave me a lift.”

Ben’s eyebrows lifted, So, it’s Mr. Riker now! He wasn’t happy at all with the obvious and palpable sexual tension between the two of them.

Dan gave Ben a look, “You were heading to Crabapple Farm? I figured you to be staying at Manor House.” His meaning was clear, even though his question was formed in an innocent enough manner.

“Yes, but when I called to see if there was anything I could bring Celia, she said most everyone would be here for now,” Ben explained. Deciding to hedge his bets, he remarked with a voice full of innuendo, “I really wanted to see what everyone was doing tonight. You know, in case someone might want to go out and do something.”

Dan choked back a laugh. It was apparent Ben had no idea what was up with Trixie. “Hoping Trixie’s got a yen again this year?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but held his arm out to Liz. “Let’s go in, Dixie! I imagine Trix is going to be pretty excited to see you. Are you staying here or at her apartment?”

Ben glared at their backs, before trailing after them. He wasn’t used to competition. Most of the women he encountered were more than willing to fall at his feet and usually straight into his bed. His fair good looks and the fact that his family was wealthy was usually enough. He shrugged. Oh, well. There’s still a chance with her, after all, she wouldn’t ever pick that loser, Mangan over someone like me! Not once she realizes how much more I can offer her.