Trixie Belden made her way to Ten Acres Academy ready to see her boyfriend Jim Frayne. They had spent the past three days since the Wheeler’s anniversary together. They hadn’t talkedabout anything in particular, but had spent time with each other making up for the previous week when there had been a misunderstanding between them.

Reaching the school, she made her way inside and headed for Jim’s office. She wasn’t surprised to see the secretary’s desk still empty, since he was searching for a person for the position since the previous secretary had left when her husband had been transferred to another company out of state.

She reached the office door and knocked.

“Come in.”

Pushing the door open, Trixie tried to suppress a grin when she saw Jim sitting behind his desk surrounded by piles of papers. “Hey, there.”

Jim looked up and smiled. “Hey, yourself.”

“What are you doing?” Trixie asked, making her way to the desk.

“Paperwork.”

“I kind of figured that.” Trixie laughed

Jim leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his red hair. “You know, I should probably be looking for an assistant instead of a secretary. I don’t remember there being this much work previously.”

“There’s more paperwork because the school is getting more successful each day its open.”

“Thank you for the support.”

Trixie moved around the desk and sat on the arm of Jim’s high-back leather chair. She looked down at the papers. “You know, if you can’t get away, we could reschedule our lunch date.”

“No, getting out of here is a good idea,” Jim said, shaking his head. “I came in early to make a dent in this work and I think going out to lunch with you is just what I need.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind putting it off. I know there’s a lot you need to take care of for the school.”

Jim reached up and brushed the curls behind her ear. “I’m sure. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“So, where are we going?”

“Anywhere you want.”

“Really?” Trixie asked.

“Really.”

Trixie got to her feet and turned to face him. “Then let’s go.”

Jim stood up, grabbing his keys off the desk. “I’ll follow you.”

* * * * *

An hour later, Trixie and Jim leaned back from the table in the booth they were sitting at. They had gone to their favorite lunch spot, Wimpy’s, for their usual.

“You know, I expected you to choose someplace other than Wimpy’s,” Jim said with a grin.

“Why would I want to go somewhere else when I can get the best here?” Trixie asked winking at him. “Besides, we need to keep with tradition.”

“Good point.” Jim leaned his arms on the table reaching over to grab a fry from her plate, only to have his hand slapped away. “Now that we’ve had lunch, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“I was just going to hang out. I didn’t have anything set in stone for the next couple days except for working tomorrow night.”

“How about we go for a picnic lunch in the preserve tomorrow before you go to work?”

Trixie smiled. “It’s a perfectly perfect idea. We haven’t done that in a while.”

“I’ll get the horses and pick you up around noon.”

“That will be fine.” Trixie reached across the table and took Jim’s hand in hers. “I can’t wait.”

Jim smiled before looking at his watch. His smile faded. “Trix, I hate to do this, but I really need to get back. I have a couple interviews scheduled.”

“I understand. Besides, we will have plenty of time together tomorrow.”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

* * * * *

“Aaron, I really appreciate all you’ve done,” Trixie said on the telephone as she sat at the kitchen table at Crabapple Farm the next day.

“It’s no problem,” Aaron replied. “I told you when you left that it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“I know, but your offer saved me a lot of money and hassle.”

“You know I always help out my friends,” Aaron said firmly. “Besides, it’s the least I could do for you when you took care of that guy that almost punched my lights out.”

“He had it coming,” Trixie said with a smile. “He insulted you and no one is allowed to do that...except me.”

“Real funny.”

Trixie let out a sigh. “I can’t wait to get back to California. Life is so much different than it is here.”

“More fast paced?”

“Exactly. I just can’t wait to be back.”

“But it won’t be for long,” Aaron commented sadly.

“You know it was a hard decision and I have to be where I feel comfortable.”

“I do understand, Trix. It’s just not the same without you here. We used to have so much fun and with you back in New York, it just doesn’t seem right.”

Trixie smiled as she leaned back in the chair. “Well, I guess I’ll have to visit.”

“So, how long will you be here?” Aaron asked.

Trixie thought he heard a door click. “Probably just overnight. The truck will be there the following morning and once it’s loaded, then I’ll be off.” Trixie got to her feet and saw the kitchen door was secure. She moved back to the table and sat down. “It’ll take me a few days to drive all the way back here with everything for when I find a place to live.”

“Tired of living with the folks already, huh?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Aaron, I love my parents, but living under the same roof as them kind of limits the privacy.”

Aaron laughed. “And how much privacy do you want?”

“You know how much I had when I lived in California. I came and went as I pleased without having to tell anyone what I was doing.”

“And now that you’re back home, you have to answer lots of questions.”

“Exactly.”

“Don’t feel bad, Trixie. Each time I go home, I’m subjected to that same horror, over and over again.”

“Well, I’m glad you’ll be picking me up and letting me stay the night.”

“I’m glad to do it, even if it’s not for longer.”

Trixie smiled. “I really appreciate it, Aaron.” She looked at her watch. “I hate to end this call, but I need to get going.”

“So do I,” Aaron said. “Some people have to work.”

“Is that what you’re calling standing on the beach soaking up the sun now?”

“I’ll get you for that when I see you.”

“Good luck,” she said with a laugh.

“I’ll talk to you later, Trixie.”

“See you soon,” Trixie said. “Bye.”

“Bye.”

Trixie set the phone down, still smiling. She was grateful she had befriended Aaron while at college and knew they could count on one another if the need arose.

Letting out a sigh, Trixie looked at the clock and realized Jim should have arrived to pick her up long before now. She recalled him saying he would come for her at noon. Deciding she wasn’t going to wait, Trixie left the house, pulling the door shut behind her and headed up to the Manor House. Approaching the stables, she saw Regan, the Wheeler’s groom, in the corral saddling Susie, the mare she usually rode.

“Hi, Regan.”

He turned to face her. “Hey, Trixie. How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Trixie leaned her arms on the corral fence. “Regan, is Jim saddling Jupiter? We’re supposed to go for a picnic lunch and I think he may have forgotten or got wrapped up in his work.”

“Actually,” Regan said, moving toward the fence. “He was here.”

“He was?”

Regan nodded his head. “He had gone down to your house and came back up. He got Jupiter and took off into the preserve.”

Trixie was confused. “Did he say anything?”

“Not to me.”

“Do you know what direction he went?”

“He headed into the woods, heading toward Mr. Maypenny’s.”

“Can I take Susie?” Trixie asked, figuring something had to be bothering him for him to just take off without a word.

“Of course.”

Trixie quickly got into the saddle and nudged Susie hoping to find Jim quickly. She rode along the trail. As she approached Mr. Maypenny’s, she saw him stacking wood outside his cabin. She slowed Susie to a walk as she neared the residence.

“Hello Trixie,” Mr. Maypenny said, coming toward her.

“Hi, Mr. Maypenny,” Trixie said, bringing Susie to a halt. “How are you?”

“Very well. Thank you for asking.” Mr. Maypenny smiled. “But I have a feeling you didn’t come here to see me, did you?”

“You’re right.” Trixie chuckled. “Have you seen Jim recently?”

“In fact I did,” Mr. Maypenny said. “He rode through here a few minutes ago. He was going so fast that I thought someone was chasing him.”

“Which way did he go?” Trixie asked, a feeling of dread washing over her that something was seriously wrong.

“Toward the bluffs.”

Trixie gathered the reins. “Thanks, Mr. Maypenny.”

“You’re welcome.”

Trixie nudged Susie into a run heading for the bluffs. She was really worried about Jim. She finally cleared the trees of the preserve and saw Jim standing near the edge holding Jupiter’s reins. He was staring out into the distance.

Slowing Susie to a gallop, then a walk, Trixie made her way to Jim. She stopped a few feet away and dismounted. Gathering the reins in her hand, she walked toward Jim.

Putting a hand on his shoulder, Trixie said, “Jim?” He remained quiet. “Jim, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

His response sounded forced to her. “Jim, come on. It’s me you’re talking to.”

“I said I was fine,” Jim snapped as he turned toward Jupiter, adjusting the saddle.

“Sure you are,” Trixie said sarcastically. “I can just see how fine you are. I thought we were having a picnic lunch.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Jim’s words ignited Trixie’s temper, but she tried to contain it, asking persistently, “What made you so angry between lunch yesterday and today?”

“Sorry, but I need to get back to the school.” Jim moved around Jupiter and easily got into the saddle.

Trixie pulled the reins from Jim’s hand. “You’re not going anywhere until we talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Jim said. “Now, let go of the reins. I need to go back to work.”

“No way. Not until you tell me what’s going on. Now, what is it?”

“Do you really want to know?” Jim asked, raising his voice.

“I do.”

“You know, most people are happy where they are and live life to its fullest, but then there are other people who can’t accept what they have been given.”

Trixie was confused. “Jim, you’re not making sense. What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t think I would find out until the last minute, didn’t you? But I did, so you can stop lying. I know what you’re doing.”

“I’m glad someone does,” Trixie said sarcastically. “Because I don’t.”

Jim yanked the reins from her grasp. “Yeah, right.” Jim turned Jupiter and started to ride off.

Trixie was confused, but she knew she had to stop Jim before he rode away. She quickly mounted Susie and swung around to follow Jim. As Susie picked up her pace, Trixie realized her feet weren’t in the stirrups. She lost her balance and fell to the ground crying out.

She heard thundering hoof beats coming toward her and opened her eyes slightly. She watched Jim quickly slide from the saddle and hurry toward her. “Trix, are you all right? Trixie, answer me?” She slowly rolled onto her back. “Are you hurt?”

“I think I’m all right,” Trixie said slowly, taking inventory of her body.

“What happened?” Jim asked, the anger gone from his voice.

“I got Susie running before I had my feet secure in the stirrups.”

“You know better than that,” Jim said in exasperation. “Trix, you could’ve been killed.”

“I know,” Trixie said, sitting up. “But I wasn’t thinking about that. All I wanted to do was stop you so we could talk.”

“Trix.”

“Please, Jim. Be honest with me. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Will you be honest with me then?” Jim asked.

Trixie was confused. “What do you mean?”

“When were you going to tell me you were going back to California?”

Trixie was stunned. “How did you know?”

“Then it’s true?”

“It is, but how did you find out?”

Jim got to his feet and countered, “When were you going to tell me? Or were you going to wait until the day you left to say something?”

“Jim, this isn’t a big deal. People go to California everyday.”

“Especially if that’s where they feel most comfortable,” Jim spat out as he turned away from her.

Trixie stared at Jim’s back. She suddenly realized he had overheard part of her telephone conversation with Aaron. And he was interpreting her words wrong.

“Jim,” she said, but he continued looking away from her. “Jim, please look at me.”

“There’s no point in us talking,” Jim said, trying to hide the sadness in his voice. “You’ve made your choice. You’re going back to California.”

“I am going back, but only long enough to get my stuff and bring it back here.”

Jim turned to face her. “How can you lie to me, Trixie? I heard what you said. You said you would visit.”

“I was talking about visiting my friends in California.” Trixie stood up and moved to Jim. “And when I said I had to live where I felt comfortable, that’s here in Sleepyside.”

Jim slowly reached up and touched her face. “Are you serious?”

“I am.” Trixie put her hand on top of Jim’s. “You missed a good portion of the conversation.” They moved over to a boulder and sat down. “Give me a chance to explain.”

“All right,” Jim said.

Trixie told Jim she had stored her furniture with Aaron before coming back home for Brian and Honey’s wedding. “When I came back, I didn’t know if I was going to stay or go back to California. But in the past two months, I’ve realized this is where I want to be. This is where I need to be.”

“So, I just misunderstood the conversation,” Jim concluded.

Trixie nodded. “I was going to tell you once I confirmed my flight.” Trixie reached for his hand and took it in hers. “I left the wrong way before and I learned my lesson. I wasn’t going to do that again.”

“I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions, Trix. I’m sorry.”

“You had every right to assume that was what was happening this time since I had set a precedence with my leaving before.”

“Precedence?” Jim asked, smiling. “I never heard a word like that from you. It looks like you learned a lot while at college.”

“A bit,” Trixie said with a shrug. “Jim, I’m sorry for all this. I probably should have said something sooner about my trip.”

“I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping. I should have asked you to explain instead of guessing.”

“I guess we forgive each other, huh,” Trixie asked, hopefully.

“Yeah,” Jim said, nodding his head. “Well, with that cleared up, how long will you be gone?”

“About a week. It’s going to take some time to drive all the way across the country.”

“That’s a long drive for you to do by yourself.”

“I know, but I did it once before. I’ll just take a lot of breaks so that I don’t get into any accidents and stop at a motel each night instead of driving straight through.”

“That’s good thinking. But, when you bring your stuff back, where are you going to put it?”

“I have already arranged for a storage locker in the place just outside White Plains until I find an apartment, which hopefully won’t be too much longer.”

“Storage locker?” Jim asked, his voice sounding distant.

Trixie didn’t notice as she agreed. “Yeah, it’s one of those places where people can store things they don’t have room for at home. It should only be temporary.”

“Hmmm,” Jim said.

She looked at him and realized he wasn’t paying attention. There was a far off look on his face. She put her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. “Jim?”

“What did you say?” Jim asked blinking and turning to face her.

“What were you thinking?”

Jim shook his head. “It wasn’t anything important.” He switched subjects. “So, when will you be leaving?”

“Very early Sunday morning, so I’ll be arriving in California around mid-afternoon. I’ll be staying at a friend’s house that night and loading up the truck the following morning. Then I’ll be on my way back.”
 

“Would you like some company?” Jim asked.

Trixie looked at him, unsure if she heard him correctly. “Jim?”

He returned her gaze. “I said, would you like some company? I’m not trying to pressure you or interfere with your reunion with your friends. I just thought you might want someone along on the long trip. It wouldn’t be so lonely.”

Trixie watched Jim ramble and was shocked. “Are you offering to go with me?”

“If you want me to, I will.”

Trixie smiled. “That would be nice. But can you take the time away from the school and students? I know you’re still searching for an assistant.”

Jim returned the smile. “I think I could take some time off.”

“You know, you don’t have to come.”

“Don’t you want me to?”

“I did not say that,” Trixie said quickly.

“I know that.” Jim laughed. “I was just teasing. I would like to go with you. Then you can go longer stretches and it may not take as long for you to get home.”

“Are you sure?”

Jim nodded. “Besides, this will give me a chance to meet some of your friends from college.” Jim reached down and took her hand in his. “This will also give me a chance to see where you had gone to school.”

Trixie smiled. “I think we can make a trip by there.”

“Trix, I really am sorry about the misunderstanding.”

“It’s all right and at least it’s all straightened out now.” Trixie looked at her watch. “Unfortunately, now we can’t have lunch. I need to get ready for work.”

Jim looked at his own watch. “I can’t believe how much time has passed.” His gaze returned to her. “How about I ride with you home? I’ll even brush Susie and clean the tack.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know, but it’s the least I can do since I was the one jumping to conclusions.”

“If you insist.”

“I do.”

“All right, then. We better get going.”

Jim stood up first then helped Trixie to her feet. As she stood up, Jim leaned down and kissed her, catching her by surprise. When he leaned back, he said, “That’s my apology.”

Trixie grinned. “I guess I’ll accept that.”

“We better go so you’re not late to work.”

“We can’t let that happen.”

“No, we can’t.”

Jim and Trixie walked hand in hand to the horses, mounted and headed back to the stables.

* * * * *

Late Sunday afternoon, Jim and Trixie arrived in California. Following the other passengers off the plane, Trixie scanned the crowd looking for Aaron. Even though it had only been about two months since she’d last seen him, she was looking forward to them being together again.

She immediately caught sight of his six-foot frame off to one side. But what really caught her attention was that his normally blonde hair was now black.

“Aaron!” Trixie yelled, moving toward him past unnoticing passengers.

“Trixie!”

She dropped her bag to the floor beside him as she gave him a hug. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“You too,” Aaron said. He leaned back and looked past her. “You must be Jim.”

“I am,” Jim said, reaching out his hand to shake Aaron’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same here,” Aaron said. “Do we need to go to baggage claim or are we all set?”

“We’re fine,” Trixie said picking up her bag. “We didn’t want to have to deal with that, so we packed compact.”

“Good. Then let’s go.”

Aaron led them out to a blue pick-up and they quickly climbed in with Trixie in the middle. She tried to keep her excitement to a minimum, but she was thrilled to be back on the West Coast.

“So, how long is the drive to your place?” Jim asked, as Aaron started the engine.

“About an hour,” Aaron said.

“Don’t believe him,” Trixie said. “With the way he drives, it’ll be closer to half an hour.”

“I don’t drive that fast,” Aaron protested. “I’m better than ‘Speeding Ticket’ Trixie.”

“Do I really want to know?” Jim asked, looking at her questioningly.

“You see,” Aaron began. “We had gone to this concert and waited patiently for the parking lot to empty out. None of us wanted to fight the other cars leaving around midnight. Having made a plan, we had packed accordingly.”

“Yeah, a cooler full of beer,” Trixie said.

“Really?” Jim asked.

“Oh, yeah,” Aaron said. “So, many of us used that time to empty the cooler and, should I say, were lucky to be functioning, except for our esteemed designated driver Trixie, since she didn’t want to drink.” Aaron took a breath. “So, we finally noticed that parking lot was empty and Trixie herded us into the car. She gunned the engine and we were gone.” Aaron glanced at Trixie. “We had just hit the interstate when a cop pulled up behind us.”

“That was the worst moment of my life when the officer gave me a field sobriety test,” Trixie said.

“He thought you had been drinking?” Jim asked, surprised.

“He did. But after the test, he realized I hadn’t and only gave me a ticket for going above the speed limit.”

“And a warning to ease her foot off the gas pedal,” Aaron said.

“I was only going 10 miles over the speed limit,” Trixie protested.

“Remind me not to ride with you in a moving vehicle as a passenger,” Jim teased.

“Ha, ha,” Trixie said. “I should have left you in Sleepyside.”

As they continued to Aaron’s, Trixie had a feeling this trip was going to be fine.

* * * * *

That evening, Trixie was sitting on the sofa beside Jim, talking with some of her friends that still lived in California. Word had quickly spread that she was back and her friends had wanted to see her.

The later it got, the easier it was for Trixie to see how tired Jim was. She figured he was still on East Coast time and even though he had slept on the plane, he was quickly falling asleep. Jim finally excused himself around 11 claiming exhaustion and her friends also headed out apologizing for not realizing it sooner.

Once alone, Aaron caught Trixie up on all that had been going on while she had been gone including the typical gossip: who was going with whom, who broke up and where romance was blooming.

“And I can tell romance isn’t just blooming here on the West Coast,” Aaron said with a smile.

“Whatever do you mean?” Trixie asked, innocently, but she could feel the color rising in her cheeks.

“I saw the way you and Jim have been acting. It looks like you made amends from before you came out here.”

“I wouldn’t way we made amends, but I think we’ve grown from the time apart. I think Jim realizes it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up and the time apart probably did us some good.”

“Are you two back together? Or are you moving in that direction?”

“Well,” Trixie sighed. “I wouldn’t say we are together, but we could be moving in that direction. We both have changed in the last five years. We’re not the same people anymore. We may have changed so much that being together may not work.”

“I already know the answer to this, but I need to ask, do you still love Jim?”

Trixie smiled. “I do. The love I have for him hasn’t changed in the 10 years I’ve known him. I don’t think it ever will.”

“Does Jim love you?”

“I think so. But I haven’t actually heard him say it.”

“Have you told him?”

Trixie let out a breath as she turned on the couch. She propped her arm on the back and leaned her head against her hand. “I haven’t. Part of me thinks that if I do say something, he won’t feel the same way. So, I’m not saying anything in case he doesn’t.”

“I am going to say this, then drop the subject because I know you don’t need anymore stress. I think Jim coming out here with you was a sign. You two will have plenty of time to talk and should take advantage of it. I think you two need to figure out if there is a relationship and what’s going to happen with it. If one of you doesn’t have feelings for the other, it’s probably better to find out sooner, rather than later.”

“You’re right,” Trixie said after a moment. “If either of us doesn’t care for the other the same way anymore, then we shouldn’t keep going with this charade.”

“Exactly.”

“Why didn’t you tell me to talk to him years ago?”

“I did, but you refused stating he was the one that broke off the relationship and that he had to make the first step.”

“I shouldn’t have closed off contact with my family following the breakup. I should’ve faced him then. But the past can’t be changed and I need to move forward.”

“And you may be moving forward with him.”

“I hope so, but only time will tell.”

* * * * *

The next morning, Trixie was up early and ready when the truck arrived. After getting something to eat, Trixie, Jim and Aaron loaded up her belongings. After saying good-bye to Aaron, Trixie got behind the wheel and they started back to Sleepyside.

They were just leaving California and had been using small talk as a distraction.

Jim was the first to break away from the comments on the scenery. “You know, Trix, I really did like meeting your friends.”

“I’m glad,” Trixie said.

“They seem really nice and seem to get along so well.”

“Just like the Bob-Whites.” Trixie glanced at Jim. She decided she might as well get the discussion going.

But Jim beat her to it. “Trix, I was wondering if we could talk about us?”

“Sure.” Trixie returned her gaze to the road.

“Trixie, I was thinking that maybe the time has come for us to figure out where our relationship stands. I mean, we have been dating since you returned, but are we both going in the same direction?”

Trixie started to laugh, shocked that they both were thinking along the same lines. She finally calmed down. “I’m sorry I’m laughing. It’s just that I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

Jim laughed. “We always did seem to be on the same wavelength.”

Trixie used the signal and pulled the truck into a rest area. She put it in park and shut the engine off. She turned to face Jim. “I’ve got an idea. On the count of three, let’s just say what we are thinking instead of beating around the bush.”

“All right.”

“One,” Trixie said.

“Two,” Jim said.

“Three.”

To be continued...