Chapter 4

Brian and Honey took the food to the boathouse before they joined everyone. The group had decided to ride a while before eating. When the two of them joined the others, Trixie didn’t fail to notice that Honey and Brian were holding hands as they walked into the stables.

The ride through the preserve was just what everyone needed. Without any disrespect for what had happened earlier in the day, Dan and Mart had been able to keep the conversation light.

“So do you have big plans for Hallie when she gets here next week?” asked Mart. “You’d better be careful. Cap and Knut have big brother down pat. Just ask Trixie.”

She replied with a twinkle in her eye, “Mart’s right. I thought I had it bad with Mart and Brian looking over my shoulder. Nothing compares to those two.”

“You’re kidding, right?” asked Jim. “If you’re not, you have my utmost sympathies, Dan, my friend.”

Joining in the fun, Diana added, “You must hold some kind of record for maintaining a long-distance relationship while having half the female population of Sleepyside High School falling at your feet in puddles of drool.”

“Well it sure beats being the fifth, or should I say, seventh wheel around here,” Dan fired back.

Six months ago he would have been more defensive about his relationship with Hallie. He had spent many a night wondering why she would be interested in him. For awhile he thought it was because she yearned to have the friendships like the Bob-Whites had and he was the foot in the door. He had image problems with himself as well. He had quickly found out that most of those girls that were supposedly drooling at his feet were either buying into his bad boy image or they were trying to get in with the two richest families in Sleepyside. After much thought he realized that he just really liked Hallie and was willing to maintain the long-distance relationship.

Hallie had come to Sleepyside several summers ago. They had been taken hostage and tied up in a room at the Glen Road Inn during Jim’s cousin, Juliana’s wedding. Their friendship had been forged then and developed with the help of letters and with a few late night phone calls. It wasn’t until last summer, when Hallie spent another summer in Sleepyside, that their relationship developed. Dan was looking forward to June when Hallie would be coming to spend two months at Crabapple Farm.

“Well, Trixie, I hope you and Hallie will have a great bonding this summer,” Dan said.

Trixie sobered a little. “I promise it’ll be better than when she was here last March. She won’t be competing with Mr. Macho, Todd Roberts.” At the sound of that name, all of the rest of the Bob-Whites groaned except Jim.

“So who’s Todd Roberts?” Jim asked his eyes getting a little greener with jealousy.

“Someone you don’t want to know,” Trixie replied, ducking her head with embarrassment.

Brian caught Jim’s eye and shook his head. Luckily, Jim didn’t have the insatiable curiosity that Trixie had and wisely let the subject drop. Someday he might get the entire story.

The group had made their way back to the boathouse. They all dismounted, tethered their mounts and began setting out the food.

“Hey, Dan,” Mart teased, trying to change the subject. “Is that some new cologne you’re trying out before Hallie comes next month? What’s it called, Eau de Wood Chopping?”

The two of them were emptying one of the picnic baskets they had found waiting in the boathouse.

“No,” Dan replied. “It’s just good ole Irish Spring.”

In unison, using their best Irish brogue, Trixie, Honey and Di chorused, “Manly, yes, but I like it, too.” And then burst out laughing.

The bantering went on for several minutes between Dan, Mart and the girls. Dan was a good sport about their teasing, realizing that it was allowing them all to focus on something other than their loss.

They didn’t notice how quiet both Brian and Jim had become. The two of them sat down on the dock away from the others. Neither one of them quite knew what to say, so they both sat there with their thoughts as company.

Finally, Jim said, “God, I hate death.”

Brian looked at him, startled because he had been about to say the same thing. “I couldn’t agree with you more,” he said. “I know that as a physician I’ill be facing death more than other people and I know we’ll all die at sometime but it’s still so upsetting and unnerving.”

“Unnerving?” questioned Jim.

“Yeah,” Brian started. “Most days I go through life thinking I’m invincible. I’m good at school; I have a great group of friends, and to paraphrase my sister, ‘the most wonderful family in the whole world’.”

Jim blushed a little at that.

Brian continued. “Then something like today happens and it throws me for a loop. I knew that Reddy wouldn’t live forever but I never in a million years thought today would be the day he passed away. I was blindsided by it and the feelings that erupted.”

Jim looked at Brian inquisitively but didn’t say anything, sensing that if he did, Brian would not continue.

“I never thought in my mind that Reddy was anything but a dog. He was a loveable dog that was a nuisance to us but still just a dog. My mind didn’t think of him as part of the family. It was more like something we just owned, like a bike, but different.” Brian paused as if to try to form his thoughts into words.

“My heart knew better but failed to convince my mind until today,” Brian continued. “I never realized what a good friend Reddy was. He always listened without criticizing, he knew when the thing you needed most was to take a break and play with him, and he was loyal without question. What more could you want in a friend?”

“I don’t know, but I hope I’m as good of a friend,” Jim replied quietly.

Brian looked over, startled by Jim’s response. “That goes without saying,” he replied.

The two friends talked for several more minutes listening to their doubts and encouraging each other.

While Dan and Mart were entertaining the girls with their antics, Trixie’s eyes kept watch over her brother and friend. She knew that they were both hurting and that they needed to talk it over themselves without any interference. That thought startled her for a moment because six months ago she would have thought that she would have to be the one to solve everyone’s problems, just like the mysteries she loved to solve.

She also knew that if she let them talk for too long they would be very dark and dismal. Then everyone would be affected.

Suddenly, Trixie turned from the group and headed over to Brian and Jim. Fortunately for her, guys don’t sit real close to each other no matter what the conversation was. She plopped herself down between the two of them and said, “How are two of my most favoritest guys doing?” She placed an arm around each of them and planted a quick kiss of encouragement on each of their cheeks. “Dan and Mart’s antics are getting old and you’ve managed to get out of clean-up chores.”

Being the honorable guys that they were, Jim and Brian were genuinely embarrassed that they hadn’t helped with the clean up. “I guess we get to do the tack room clean up tonight,” said Jim.

Brian nodded, “But not until after we finish our ride. I think the horses are getting antsy, as well as a few ‘birds’ I know.”

By the time everyone was mounted, Jim and Brian were enjoying everyone’s company. The weather was perfect for riding. Although the temperature had risen during the day, when the sun started to set, they had quickly cooled off.

Trixie shivered a little as they were heading back to the stables.

“Are you warm enough?” asked Jim who hadn’t allowed himself to get too far from Trixie the entire ride. Not only had he noticed her shiver, he could see the goose bumps on her arms.

“Well, I’m starting to get cold but it’s my own fault. It was so warm when we started out. I forgot how fast it can cool down once the sun sets.”

Jim shrugged out of his sweatshirt and handed it over to Trixie. “Here, wear this,” he said.

“Then you’ll be cold,” Trixie protested.

“I’ll be fine,” Jim insisted and then winked at her, “besides, I’ve got to keep my knight in shining armor image tarnish free.”

Trixie laughed, glad to see that Jim had been able to enjoy the ride and the companionship of his friends.

As promised, Brian and Jim straightened up the tack room after everyone had brushed down their mounts and cleaned the tack. Diana, Mart and Dan headed back to the house to raid the refrigerator and get snacks ready for the evening ahead of them.

Honey and Trixie headed to the boathouse to pick up the picnic baskets. They hadn’t had much time to talk all day.

“How’re you doing, Trix?” Honey asked.

“I think I’m going to be fine,” Trixie confidently said. “I’m sad about Reddy dying, but I know in my heart it had been coming on for some time. I just didn’t want to face it.”

“I know it’s hard and I’m going to miss him bounding out of the house when I come over,” Honey said.

A sad look crossed Trixie’s face, “Reddy hadn’t been bounding for a long time. We just failed to notice it because it was so gradual.”

Deciding that they needed some levity, Honey uncharacteristically remarked, “Well, you’ve still got Mart as a pet.”

Trixie burst out laughing and Honey quickly joined in.

“You are evil,” said Trixie. “I should tell Mart what you said. With the exception of Diana, he thinks that you are the most perfect person in the entire world. He thinks that you can do no wrong.”

“I can’t,” said Honey matter-of-factly. The two girls burst out laughing again.

They arrived at the boathouse and grabbed the two picnic baskets. Honey still was up to some mischief when she said loudly over her shoulder in her best bad actress voice, “My, this basket is sooo heavy. I just cannot carry it up this big steep hill.”

Trixie looked at her as if she was nuts. Then she glanced in the direction that Honey was looking and saw that Brian and Jim had finished up in the stables and were heading back to the house.

Playing along, Trixie said, “Mine is, too. I don’t know how I am going to be able to carry this. I am so weak and frail.” She struck her most melodramatic pose, swiping the back of her hand across her forehead. “Woe, is me,” she finished.

When they knew the guys had seen them, both girls quickly dropped their baskets to the ground and pretended to drag them up the hill.

Jim and Brian quickly caught up to the two of them but didn’t stop to help, continuing on to the Manor House. “I sure hope there’s some more of your mom’s chocolate cake left,” said Jim.

“I was hoping for some of those Toll House cookies Cook makes so well,” said Brian. There was a spring in both of the guys’ steps that hadn’t been there earlier. “We’d better hurry or Dan and Mart will have eaten all of them.”

The guys picked up their pace and started jogging up the hill never looking back at the girls.

Trixie and Honey stopped in their tracks. “Well, how do you like that?” Trixie said indignantly. “You would think they would have at least stopped and walked with us.”

Honey huffed as well. “Some knights in shining armor they are.”

They each bent down to pick up the light baskets when someone else’s hand grabbed the handles. Startled, both girls looked up to see that Brian and Jim had snuck back and surprised the girls.

“Who said chivalry was dead?” asked Honey as she accepted Brian’s offer to carry the basket.

“Not I,” replied Trixie as she relinquished hers to Jim. Somehow by the time the four of them had reached the house, Jim’s arm had found its way around Trixie’s shoulder and Brian’s had found its way around Honey’s.

As they walked through the kitchen door, both guys casually dropped their arms back to their sides and allowed the girls to enter in front of them. They set the baskets on the table and the girls went about putting the leftovers in the refrigerator while Jim and Brian washed up the dishes.

Dan came through the door carrying Twister. Brian groaned. The last time Brian had played that game it had been Honey, Mart, Diana and him. Somehow, when all was said and done, Brian’s hand had been between Honey’s legs and when the two of them had tipped over his hand ended up in Honey’s cleavage.

Of course, Mart hadn’t fared any better. He had managed to just about smash Diana when he fell completely on top of her.

Brian’s mind went back to that day and then he smiled. Maybe it had been worth it to play that game. Sure, he and Honey had been embarrassed, but it had also made him aware of what a great body Honey had. He had had to practice great restraint for several weeks after that.

Honey hadn’t helped matters. It seemed like every time they went out she wore a shirt that subtly accentuated her curves. It left a lot to his imagination and his imagination had begun to run wild.

Despite the results of the last time they had played the game, no one protested about playing it again. When the dishes were done and everything put away, everyone headed into the den.

Despite Jim and Trixie’s conversations earlier, they still felt a little uneasy when surrounded by all of their friends. She was experiencing new feelings about Jim. The feelings were good feelings, but they also made her unsure.

Diana and Mart were snuggled together on an oversized chair. Brian and Honey sat next to each other on the loveseat but they seemed to be trying to put as much distance as they could between them without being obvious. Dan sat down in the middle of the sofa and watched with a wicked eye to see where Jim and Trixie would sit. Dan loved to tease Jim about Trixie.

Jim decided to sit on one end of the sofa while Trixie chose to sit on the floor with her back against the sofa.

“So who’s up for Twister?” Dan asked mischievously.

Everyone else groaned, as it was expected, but were all game.

“I think we should have a tournament,” suggested Diana innocently. “First round will be boys, second round will be girls and then we’ll have a face off.”

Diana’s suggestion was not enthusiastically received, but no one had the courage to say no to it.

Diana served as the spinner as Mart, Dan, Brian and Jim lined up. They were all a little skeptical about what Diana was up to. Diana was known to be sly but she showed no sign of having something up her sleeve.

The game went on for several minutes with no one falling. By now Dan had his right foot on a green spot and his left hand on a red spot. Unfortunately for him, he had to straddle Mart to get there. Mart’s left foot was on a red spot and his left hand was on a yellow spot. Jim had tried to stay in one corner to avoid any awkward situations.

“Okay,” Diana said as she spun. “Right hand blue.”

“I can’t right hand blue,” complained Jim, “because Brian over here is practically knocking me over.” As he tried to place his hand down, Mart did as well. In the blink of an eye, Mart took down Jim and Dan as he fell to the floor, leaving Brian as the only one left standing. Brian groaned.

“I’m going to be the spinner for round two,” Dan announced. “So you better watch out, girls.” He spun and called out the first directions, left hand green. He called out a couple more directions and the three girls had managed to get pretty tied up.

“Hurry up, Danny Boy,” urged Diana. “My right arm is about to give out.” Somehow Diana’s arm had found its way between Trixie’s legs. She began to giggle.

“Don’t make me laugh,” warned Trixie. Before Dan could call out the next command, Trixie tipped over, taking Diana with her. The two of them lay on the floor laughing so hard that tears flowed down their cheeks. Honey won by default.

Both Brian and Honey looked a little uncomfortable about competing against each other. Neither said anything because they knew that it would only make matters worse. Finally, Honey asked, “Tell me again. What are we playing for?”

“Bragging rights,” replied Dan.

“Well, I’m glad were we’re playing for such an important prize,” said Brian. “Let’s get it over with.”

Diana resumed her role as spinner and called out, “Right hand red.” Brian went to one end of the mat and Honey the other. With every move they both remained on their ends of the mat.

Finally, Dan threw up his hands and said, “Come on you guys get adventuresome. New rule, you can’t use the same spot more than once.” Mart nodded in agreement. Brian and Honey blushed.

It didn’t take long for Honey and Brian to become entangled. Diana called out, “Right hand red.” There was only one red spot that hadn’t been used yet. As they both tried to place their hands on the spot they lost their balance and fell over, Brian falling on top of Honey. For several moments neither one moved.

Once again, Brian’s hand managed to end up in Honey’s cleavage, but Honey’s hand was dangerously close to Brian’s private parts as well. They were each caught up in the tension of the situation until Dan said, “Are you guys all right?”

Brian and Honey stared at each other with new understanding. He carefully removed his hand and rolled off of Honey. Honey struggled to sit up and appeared to be very flustered.

Trixie, noticing her friend’s and brother’s discomfort, said, “I think it’s a draw. I declare Brian and Honey co-champions of Twister.”

Mart started to protest but Jim jumped in. “As co-president of the Bob-Whites of the Glen, I declare we can have co-champions.”

By now, Brian had gotten off the floor and had reached down to help Honey to her feet. Once they were on their feet again, they each retreated to opposite sides of the room, not quite knowing what to do with these newfound feelings.

With the excitement of the Twister game behind them, the group couldn’t decide what to do next. It was only ten o’clock which seemed way too early for a house party to end. Mart and Diana challenged Dan and Honey to a game of Cribbage while Jim, Brian and Trixie decided to play Scrabble.

“I don’t know why I bother playing,” moaned Trixie. “Never in blankteen years am I going to beat these two brainiacs.”

“I’ll help you cheat,” volunteered Mart.

Trixie got up and went over to the game cupboard to get the game. “If you helped me cheat I would be spending most of the time with my nose in the dictionary trying to determine if the word was spelled correctly.” Everyone had a good laugh over that.

After Trixie set the game down, she started looking for a pen. “I think there’s a few of them over by the phone,” suggested Honey.

Trixie burst out laughing when she picked up a pen. “Where did you get this?” she asked as she held up a Maid of the Mist floaty pen from Niagara Falls.

Honey giggled. “You’re not going to believe it but Mother has taken to collecting them. After we spent so much time trying to find one for you in London she decided to collect them as well. She tries to pick one up whenever she travels. It’s driving Dad crazy. One trip they spent most of the morning traipsing from tourist spot to tourist spot trying to find one. I think she has almost thirty of them by now.”

Trixie, Brian and Jim sat down to a competitive game. At least Trixie thought it was competitive. She was excited because she was beating both Jim and Brian. What she didn’t notice was that both of the guys were very distracted. Jim caught Brian several times staring at Honey and had to poke him to bring him back to the game. Of course, Brian also had to return the favor as many times or more. Trixie was oblivious to all of it. She was just so excited to be beating both of the guys.

When the game was over, she danced around the room chanting, “I beat you! I beat you!” over and over.

The other table had just finished up with their game as well. “Fifteen two, fifteen four and a pair makes six gives us enough to peg out,” said Diana as she high-fived her partner, Honey. They joined Trixie chanting around the room.

When Trixie finally settled down, she went about helping to pick up the games and the snacks. She gave a big yawn. Mart tried to stifle one as well.

Brian, being Mr. Responsible, said, “I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m exhausted. It’s been a very long and emotional day all around.”

Everyone agreed. As the group headed upstairs, everyone seemed to be hanging back except for Dan. He and Mart would be staying in a guest bedroom next to Jim’s. Honey’s room had two double beds so that the three girls could comfortably sleep in it. Brian would be sleeping on the spare bed in Jim’s room.

Jim not so subtly said, “I’d better check to make sure the terrace doors are locked. Trixie, would you help me?”

“Oh that was smooth,” teased Brian under his breath so only Jim would hear.

“You’re just jealous because you haven’t thought of any way to have some private time with Honey,” Jim teased back. “I saw how distracted you were playing Scrabble.”

Honey, for once not being shy, said, “Brian, I think I left some food sitting on the kitchen table. Will you help me put it away?”

Dan, Diana and Mart laughed at their antics all the way up the stairs. When they reached Honey’s bedroom door Mart started to pull Diana into his arms.

She pulled back and said, “I’ve got onion breath. Let me use proper oral hygiene and go brush my teeth. I’ll be back in a flash.” As Diana entered Honey’s room, Dan and Mart headed to their room. Mart decided he’d better use proper oral hygiene as well and went to brush his teeth. In two minutes Mart and Diana were back in the hall and there was no sign of anyone else.

They spent several minutes saying good night in several different ways. When they came up for air, Mart commented, “I wonder what’s up with my siblings and their former dates.”

“Well, I hope they are all working things out,” said Diana. “I love both Trixie and Honey dearly, but they’ve been driving me crazy all semester with their antics.”

“Let’s go play chaperone,” said Mart.

The two started heading down the stairs when they saw Dan stealthily making his way across the entryway and toward the den. They had been so wrapped up in themselves they hadn’t even realized Dan had walked past them.

When Dan saw the two coming down the stairs he put his finger to his lips and said, “Be vewy, vewy quiet. We’re hunting wombats.” It was all Diana and Mart could do not to burst out laughing.

The trio quietly made their way to the den where they were surprised to see the door wide open. They poked their heads into the room and were surprised to see Jim and Trixie platonically sitting next to each other, each fast asleep. The two looked so peaceful sleeping there no one wanted to disturb them.

The group continued down to the kitchen, wondering what they would find there. This time it wasn’t quite as easy as the door was closed and noises could be heard behind it. The three argued about who should open the door. Diana volunteered to push the door open. When she did, she was shocked to see the embrace that Brian and Honey were in. Quickly and quietly, she closed the door, turned to the guys and gave two thumbs up. The group decided their best move would be to just go back upstairs and pretend they hadn’t seen anything. Hopefully, Mr. Responsible wouldn’t take things too far.

 

 

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