Chapter One

Jim Frayne stared at the phone he had just hung up. His sister Honey had kept him on the phone for almost two hours, digging details out of him about the mysterious happenings at his school, The Great Outdoors School of Learning. She had promised to get back to him within the next day to let him know when she’d be arriving.

Of course Jim hoped Trixie would come. Honey’s partner and the love of his life.

His green eyes strayed to the pictures on his desk. One was his adopted family, Honey and her parents, who had adopted him when he was fifteen, rescuing him from a vicious stepfather out to gain his newfound fortune. The others were taken years ago, with the old gang, the Bob Whites of The Glen. One of his favorites was the gang in Arizona, at Uncle Monty’s dude ranch. She had driven him nuts on that trip, procrastinating her math homework he was supposed to be tutoring her in. But at the fiesta, in her pretty flowered dress, any irritation he had felt evaporated.

His other favorite was taken the evening the girls graduated college. As always, his eyes strayed to the pretty blonde seventeen year old in the middle that he had his arm around.

In his desk drawer was another picture of her, a beautiful shot of her the night she and Honey and their friend Diana had graduated high school. He had taken it himself, right after she opened his gift, a special ring, and she had looked at him with such love in her eyes. On his bookshelf in his bedroom was a photo album filled with pictures of the old gang over the years, and another dedicated to the Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency, containing all the clippings of newspaper stories.

Tearing his eyes and mind away from Trixie, he stared at the most recent letter from one of the school’s investors and financial backers, Thomas Wellington the Third. A friend of his father and a generous donator, Wellington was worried about some bad press the school had received over the summer, and the accidents that kept happening around the school.

Jim hoped he was just being paranoid and not reading a subtle threat of withdrawal of money. The number of students had been dropping steadily the last few years. Learning to survive in the woods, camp, hunt and fish was no longer popular when video games, email and drugs were easily attainable. More and more children were turned out on the streets with no hope of turning their lives around. Boys and Girl Clubs, the Boy Scouts, 4-H, all the once-staples of modern America life were in danger of extinction.

Brian Belden, his resident doctor, best friend, and Trixie’s oldest brother poked his head in.

“Any word?”

“Honey said she’ll be on her way within a couple of days. Says Trixie will come one way or another.”

Brian snorted. “She’s the only one who could make her.”

“Mother and Dad said they’ll be here for Christmas, your Mom said they were looking forward to it. I think Bobby might even show, and Di’s family.”

“Wow, we’ll have a full house,” Brian grinned. Jim knew it had more to do with the deep love he felt for Honey than anything else. Brian too had given up their chance at a future so they could both pursue their dreams. Luckily for them they had maintained a close friendship, seeing each other several times a year. He and Trixie hadn’t been that lucky.

“Make sure Di knows so she can order supplies,” he said absently. Brian nodded.

“You all right buddy?”

“Yeah just. . .” his voice trailed off.

“She’ll come around one of these days and realize she’s been pretty silly,” he said softly. They almost never discussed Trixie. It was an unspoken off limits topic.

Jim shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. We’ve both moved on.”

Brian tilted his head to one side and snorted before heading to his room. Jim opened the drawer and stared at the old picture.

***

“No, no, and no,” Trixie Belden said flatly.

Honey crossed her arms over her chest.

“Trixie, Jim needs our help.”

“You can figure it out as well as I can,” she replied.

“He said he, Mart and Brian have been trying for months to figure it out. Mart finally threw in the towel and said quote, time to get Moll Dick in here, end quote,” Honey said.

Trixie half smiled. Compliments from her middle brother were rare. However, him using Jim’s old nickname for her had always rubbed her the wrong way.

“Honey, you got all the details. Go out there and find out what’s happening.”

“Well, there’s something more, I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Yes?” Trixie fixed her blue eyes on her slender friend.

“Christmas is in two weeks.”

“I know. Moms knows we’ll be there as usual.”

“Actually, we’re not having Christmas at your house this year.”

“Since when?” Trixie frowned.

“Since Jim invited everyone a while back to have it out there,” Honey braced herself for the storm.

Trixie’s mouth fell open. “And were you planning on telling me this?”

“I just did.”

“Honey Wheeler! You wait until two weeks before to tell me that we’re supposed to spend Christmas at the boys school?”

“I was waiting for the right moment,” Honey smiled sweetly.

Trixie just glared at her.

“I’m not going.”

“Trix!”

“I’m not.”

“It would break your mother’s heart to not have everyone together at Christmas!”

“Tell them I’m on an assignment. In Africa,” she said flatly.

“I will not. Mother and Daddy will be there and all of Di’s family too. All the Family.”

The ‘Family’ was what they called their combined families, having lumped them into one big family years ago.

Trixie threw up her hands. “So everyone’s been planning this little shindig?”

“Pretty much,” Honey said cheerfully.

Trixie shook her head.

“You shouldn’t be going either.”

“I am perfectly able to manage this trip.”

“Honey, you’re not even supposed to be working, let alone, gallivanting around the country.”

“I hardly call a two week vacation to see my brother gallivanting.”

“I am so not going.”

***

Trixie stared out the window of the SUV as Honey drove along the highway. In the back were their luggage and a load of presents.

Trixie had tried to read her new novel, 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez but she couldn’t concentrate, thinking about the next few days.

“I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

“Trix, you need to move past the whole Jim issue.”

“It’s not a ‘Jim issue’,” Trixie replied.

Honey glanced at her usually cheerful, upbeat partner and best friend.

“Part of you never got him over Trixie. Just like part of me never got over Brian.”

“Brian didn’t run off and break your heart.”

“Yes, he did,” Honey laughed. “The difference is that we’ve managed to move past that.”

“Hmmph,” Trixie opened the can of mixed nuts and began to shove them in her mouth to avoid conversation, turning up the Dierks Bentley cd in the player.

Jim Frayne. Best friend, protector and had saved her life more than once, and against his better judgment, followed her into some scary situations. From the day they met, when he was hiding out in his great-uncles run down mansion he had admired her spunk and enthusiasm for life, and she admired his intellect and skill, and the fact he never lost faith in her. Somewhere along the line, they had fallen in love, to no one’s surprise. Everyone, including Trixie had thought they would get married.

Trixie opened her book and tried to read as Honey drove. Business always slowed down around this time of year. Spouses tried to get along for the sake of the family, goodwill towards men and all that jazz. After the New Year it would pick up as the cheating spouses intensified. They did more than spy on cheating husbands though, they were well known for recovering stolen jewels, paintings and tracking down missing heiresses. The last few years had forged a connection at the FBI, and every now and then their connection gave them a call.

Reading was no use as she thought about Jim’s deep green eyes and the way they always sparkled at her. When packing she had opened her jewelry box and in the very bottom drawer, pulled out the silver ID bracelet he had given her so many years ago, telling her she was his ‘special girl’. Of course Di and Honey had teased her about it but she wore it all through school. Over the years he had given her a number of pieces of jewelry, and she kept every one, especially the big diamond ring that his great uncle had left, and he had given Trixie when she was thirteen, as a thank you for saving him. She had hoped for years he’d eventually give her her own engagement ring.

“I really don’t think this was a good idea,” she said softly. “I should have just come down for Christmas.”

“You know the school will probably be buried under a foot of snow by then,” Honey said sharply.

Trixie sighed.

“Hey, did you get the birthday cards ready for our January clients?”

“Yep. And I sent good ol’ Ralph something special,” Honey snickered.

“I hope you get him back for that horrid clown singing telegram he sent this year,” Trixie said darkly.

Their contact at the FBI was forever sending silly and sometimes embarrassing gifts for their birthdays. His prim and proper attitude masked a wicked sense of humor and love for childish pranks.

“Oh I did,” Honey smirked, “He’s getting a strip-o-gram-at the office!”

It was a good thing Honey was driving because Trixie almost wet herself laughing.

***

Mart, the middle brother between Brian and Trixie peered out the window anxiously.

“They’re here!” he raced to the door and bolted outside, running to meet them.

The girls were bundled in heavy jacket, scarves, gloves and hats but Mart knew his sister’s taller frame. Grabbing her tightly he swung her around as Brian hurried out after him, followed by Diana. Mart released Trixie and hugged Honey as Brian reached them and grabbed their sister. The next few minutes were full of hugging chaos and the boys finally unloaded the luggage to carry in.

“You certainly dress better these days,” Mart smirked, pulling one of his sister’s blonde curls. Trixie resisted the urge to stick out her tongue. She would have pulled one his curls that matched except he still wore the same stupid crew cut he had since he was thirteen.

“Can’t say the same for you,” she replied. “Honey does the clothes shopping.”

“She’d wear the same pair of jeans everyday until they fell off if I didn’t,” Honey grinned, her arms wrapped around Brian’s solid frame. He held her as snugly, unable to stop grinning. Honey didn’t mention that Trixie had taken extra care with her packing, selecting the outfits she felt flattered her most, though Trixie vehemently denied it when Honey teased her about it.

“When is Dan coming? I haven’t been able to get him on the phone,” Mart asked.

“In a couple of days.”

“How’s he doing since Mr. Maypenny passed?” Di asked.

“All right,” Trixie answered, “He grieved for a good while but he’s hanging in there. It’ll be good to be with the Family for Christmas, otherwise he might drink himself stupid.”

“Definitely a special toast to Mr. Maypenny,” Honey said firmly, “He did a lot for all of us. We haven’t been able to replace him, and I don’t know that we ever can.”

Di saw Trixie eyes flit around the room.

“The boys are cleaning up the dining hall. Jim’s upstairs, third door on the right, in his office,” she said softly.

Trixie nodded. It was only courtesy to let their host know they were there. While the others chattered on, she slipped out the room and headed for the staircase.

It was a bit drafty up here, she thought, wishing she had kept her heavier sweater on instead of leaving it downstairs.

The door was partly opened; she pushed it open slowly and peered in.

The broad shoulders she once knew so well were slumped forward. Elbows rested on the desk, hands buried in red hair. A glimpse of heavily muscled arms in the thermal shirt he wore and she caught her breath. Nine years of working outdoors really had filled out his already strong, husky frame.

“The Jim Frayne I knew would never accept defeat,” she said softly.

Jim’s head snapped up and his green eyes fixed on her. Leaning against the door, wearing low riding dark green jeans that clung to her womanly figure. A pale green sweater hugged her curvy figure and accented her fair skin. No makeup, just a hint of gloss. Her blonde curls cropped short and wild. Still the stubborn chin, beautiful lips, slightly rounded face.

“Trix!” he leapt to his feet and crossed the room without thinking. He faltered as he reached for her and dropped his arms. “You look great.”

“So do you,” she murmured, trying not to take in too much of thermal material hugged chest, solid waist and legs. His red hair needed a cut, and his deep eyes were lined heavily with circles and worry but there he was, smiling hopefully at her.

“It means the world to me that you came,” he said softly.

She looked at the carpet for a moment.

“This school has been your dream as long as I’ve known you. I won’t let it die if I can help.”

There it was. All business. She was here to help with the school. Her eyes were cool. Since when did Trixie Belden not glow with life, not bounce with enthusiasm for a new case, imagining every possible scenario and angle to a case?

Jim didn’t know how to answer her. Longing to reach out and hold her overcame him but he knew she was well practiced in three types of martial arts and didn’t want to be on the receiving end of a blow.

Settling for a smile, he tried to look in her blue eyes but he knew she was focused on his nose, not really looking at him. The freckles were faded but still there.

“Honey’ll be up in a minute,” she said softly, dropping her gaze to the carpet. “If she can detach herself from Brian.”

“Typical,” he chuckled. “Greets your brother before her own.”

“Oh I was getting around to you,” Honey announced, hurrying up.

Jim grinned and hugged her tightly, hugging her tighter than needed.

“You’re looking a bit thin,” he eyed her frame, “Trix, you need to fatten her up.”

“She tries,” Honey laughed. “I eat everything I can.”

Jim hid his frown. Honey had always been slender but now she just looked thin, even in the heavy, emerald green sweater she wore with cream colored slacks. Always small chested, she looked almost flat, and maybe it was his imagination but she seemed to be wearing a lot of makeup.

“Few days of good cooking here will help,” he declared, running his hand over her hair. It wasn’t soft like it used to be, it felt almost dry. Was Honey sick?

***

The girls were given a tour of the inside of the sprawling ranch styled villa. Each boy had their own room, small but comfortable. Jim’s bedroom was behind his office, with a private bath, Brian’s was across the hall, and Mart and Diana had the master suit at the end of the hall. There were two guest rooms for the girls, but Trixie knew Honey would be in Brian’s room that night. The families once arrived would take the other unoccupied rooms.

The kitchen was enormous, where Jim explained that Di oversaw the boys cooking, using a lot of Mart’s recipes. Mart was the agriculture teacher, and most of their vegetables were grown on site, canned, stored for winter, and even wheat was grown for bread. Mart’s love for food had led him to dabble in cooking and try out new recipes.

“We try to teach them everything they need to know to be independent. Unfortunately, those skills aren’t so desired any more. With the farmers in trouble and the advancement of computers, people aren’t relying on the basic skills anymore. Everything can be bought over processed, fast and cheap,” Jim said as they strolled along. Brian held Honey’s hand, the dark haired doctor unable to stop grinning

. The art room was huge, stocked with paints and canvasses.

“Not too many students like to paint but a few. I’ll show you the grounds tomorrow. We’ve also got an extensive library. Our English teacher, Miss Nickson, she’s real good about making sure we keep updated with everything, including fiction. The boys have a nice variety. We also have a game room, where we watch movies on Saturday night, has ping pong set up, board games. The boys are trying to convince me to get pinball, but I don’t know. The game room is only open after seven, to make sure the boys have all work and homework done. No skipping classes.”

Trixie felt a swell of pride in her chest. Jim had done so much these last few years. How she hated to see it crumbling!

The tour continued a little while longer, then Jim went to check on the boys for lights out. Slowly the reunion broke up and Trixie was left alone downstairs in the living room. She studied the pictures on the walls, groups over boys over the years who had come through. Various accomplishments were captured in the pictures, Jim in the middle of most of them, smiling and looking proud.

“He shouldn’t have to lose this,” she murmured. “I’ve got to find out what’s going on.”

“Still talking to yourself?”

Turning, she half smiled at Jim. The fire was dying in the fireplace but she suddenly felt very warm.

“Always,” she answered.

He walked across the room to the picture in front of her.

“That was the first group. The first round of boys to come through here. They helped set up the fields, mark the trails. Amazing group. A lot of them still write to me.”

“That’s wonderful Jim,” she smiled at him, a genuine Trixie smile and before he could stop himself he was stepping up to her, cupping her face in his hands.

For a split second Trixie closed her eyes for his kiss, then opened them and stepped back.

“Jim, no,” she whispered.

“Trix-“

“Good night,” she bolted from the room.

***

Shutting the door behind her, Trixie took a deep breath. This was bad. Very bad. She wasn’t here for two hours and she was already succumbing to him.

No, make that wanting to. Those green eyes focused on her and she was nineteen again, breathing labored as he unbuttoned her sweater and slid it off.

With a shaky breath she changed into her pjs, heavy socks for the wooden floors, an old pair of sweat pants and a t shirt.

Climbing into the twin bed, she fell into a heavy sleep of emerald eyes and burning kisses.

***

Honey shut Brian’s door behind her and stepped into his embrace. His room was snug and cozy, his medical books and forensic science novels lining his bookshelves. The dark greens of the room matched his quiet demeanor and solid personality.

Wrapping his arms around her thin frame, Brian held her close for a few minutes, noting she had changed shampoos as he buried his head in her hair.

“I missed you,” he murmured.

“Me too,” she snuggled against his chest, letting him hold her.

“When you cancelled our last two get togethers, I was worried you had really found someone else.”

“Oh, Brian, no,” she pulled back a little and looked up at his handsome face, “not in the slightest.”

“Trixie assured me of the same thing, she said you guys were just swamped.”

“We were,” Honey half-lied, brushing her lips against his. It was a half lie because she had been busy in chemotherapy, not cases.

“How about we try a different kind of busy,” he whispered, his hands running over her hair and cupping her face up to his.

“Ready to play doctor?” she giggled at their old joke.

Brian grinned and was amazed when lifted her up, realizing how light she had become, and she wasn’t heavy to start with.

“I think you need a thorough exam,” he set her on his bed gently, laying next to her.

“Examine away Doctor Belden,” she laughed.

They lay kissing as Brian’s gentle hands began to caress her. Honey fervently hoped he wouldn’t notice how her ribcage stuck out now, or that her breasts seemed to have shrunk.

Brian was convincing himself that it was his imagination that she was so thin. Honey had never had Trixie’s sturdy build.

Pushing his concern out of his head, he made love to Honey.

***

Trixie and Jim both lay awake in their beds, wondering how in the hell they were going to make it through the next few days.

***

Brian kissed Honey lovingly, lingering on her lips. Their warm bodies lay pressed together in his bed.

“What are you thinking?” he asked softly.

Her sensuous lips curved into a smile.

“Isn’t that supposed to be the woman’s question?” she chuckled, wrapping her leg around him.

“Probably,” he tucked a strand of her honey colored hair behind her ear. “But I don’t always know what’s going on in that head of yours.”

Her hazel eyes stared into his black eyes. “Just thinking.”

“Honey, what if-“

One delicate, freshly manicured finger touched his lips.

“Shh. Brian, we agreed a long time ago, no what ifs. No possibilities or wondering what might have been.”

Brian nodded. “I know. It’s just-“

“What?” she asked gently.

His brow furrowed.

“Have you had a check up lately?”

Honey laughed.

“Every February, Dr Belden,” she teased. “Why?”

“You’ve lost a lot of weight, Honey.”

“The last couple of cases were physically rough. Trixie did too.”

“No, she looks fine. You look sick Honey, like you’re recovering.”

“I had a serious case of the flu last month, Brian, I was off work for almost two weeks. It went into pneumonia.”

“Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, irate.

“Because I didn’t want you to worry,” she said.

Sighing, he rested his forehead against hers. Honey could be as tight lipped as Trixie sometimes. He’d have to wait until Honey was ready to tell him the truth.

“Honey, I-“

“Shhh,” she whispered, slipping her hand around his neck to pull him in for a kiss. “There are more important things than me having a cold.”

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