Chapter Three: A Birthday Party for Di
Trixie recounted, as best she could, the details of the door knocking incidents. Dan listened, pulled out a notebook, and scribbled in it a few times while she talked.
“Well?” she prompted when she’d finished.
“I don’t like the sound of it.”
“Me either.” Trixie set a lot of store in Dan’s opinion. He’d seen enough to know that evil—in all shapes, sizes and volumes—existed, but he was not inclined to see it lurking around every corner. His assessment was reasoned without being optimistic, open without being reckless.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure that Honey isn’t right and I’m overreacting, but…”
Dan raised his black brows.
“I keep thinking about what happened seven months ago.”
“But, we decided, I mean…” Dan’s voice trailed off as he ran a distracted hand through his dark hair. “You’re not suggesting this might have anything to do with that, are you?”
“I don’t know what I’m suggesting. But that case remains unsolved, and the woman who died was in her late twenties, five-feet-six-and-a-half, slim build, had long dark gold hair and—”
“Don’t remind me,” Dan cut her off. “When we first got that call and I heard the description I completely freaked.”
“You weren’t the only one.”
“But, Trix, there was nothing to connect that woman, or the case, to Honey. It was just a coincidence.”
“I guess so.” Trixie tugged on a curl. “What do you say, after the festivities tonight, we call a Bob-White meeting and get everyone’s opinion on the situation?”
“I say that Trixie Belden has come a long way and that’s a great idea.”
“Good and thanks.”
“For what?”
“Not talking about hormones affecting the way I feel about things.”
Dan snorted. “And risk you shooting me?”
“That’s ridiculous!” Trixie asserted. “I don’t even have my gun on me.”
“Want to split a piece of pie?” Dan asked.
Trixie nodded. “Now, that’s something I’m happy to blame on my hormones. Yes, please.”
When Trixie returned from lunch with a Caesar salad for her friend, she tried not to feel guilty about going to Dan behind her back. Honey had been busy doing background research for their new case, and they went through her notes while she ate.
“Have you heard from my brother?” Trixie asked when they’d finished planning their next step.
“Bob picked him up about an hour ago. They should land in White Plains around four. If everything goes smoothly, he’ll be here before five. But he’ll call as soon as he lands.” Honey’s face lit up as she spoke, and Trixie smiled. She missed her brother, too, and she couldn’t imagine being separated from Jim as much as Honey was from Brian.
“Plenty of time to get ready for Di’s party then.”
“Well, you and I both know that the guys’ idea of getting ready for events involves showering and yelling—”
“‘What should I wear?’” Trixie finished with a laugh. “Imagine asking me.”
“You, as you well know, look positively gorgeous—all the time, without even trying.”
This elicited another laugh from Trixie. “I do love your one-eyed view of your friends.”
“My objectivity is beyond reproach,” Honey returned with a toss of her hair.
“Speaking of gorgeous, what little number do you have out for tonight’s festivities? I’m guessing with the prodigal’s return, you’ll go for the sexiest option.”
“I can’t wait to see Di’s outfit.” Honey blithely ignored her partner’s comment. “It sounds divine.”
“Di always looks divine.”
“I hope she likes her presents,” Honey said.
“Like them? She’ll love them. It was genius paying for art classes. When I told Mart, he said he wished he’d thought of it. Apparently, she’s been dying to get back into painting and she loves the artist who’s running the course. As for the rest: Di and pretty things in lavender. How can we go wrong?”
“You’re right.” Honey leaned back in her chair. “I know I should be concentrating on work, but I am struggling today. Can you think of something useful but routine to assuage my guilt at not firing on all cylinders?”
“How about we go through our list of background checks courtesy of the Sleepyside Police Department?” Because of their long term involvement with the department, including the fact that both women had worked there during the past few years, they were often given routine checks to run on missing persons and other matters that the department didn’t have the manpower for.
“Sure,” Honey said. She swiveled her chair towards her computer and was about to open the relevant file when she stopped. “Wait. When did we get these? You didn’t mention Dan dropping by early this morning.”
Trixie gulped. Way to go, Detective Belden, she thought. “I ran into him in the diner,” she replied. Hoping she sounded casual.
“That was lucky,” Honey said. “Okay, hit me. What do we have this week?”
It had taken some time for the two to realize their dream of an agency together and neither one of them ever took it for granted. There had been years of college and internships, where they honed and developed their individual skills and their collective knowledge of law-enforcement. After graduation, they had sought differing workplaces and roles, believing this would best serve their long-term goal. Almost two years earlier they had opened the doors of Belden-Wheeler Investigations, and gradually their reputation for thorough, discreet and results-driven work ensured they were more than just viable.
Sergeant Molinson, now Police Chief Molinson, could never resist kidding the two about their teenage exploits, but he respected them and he made sure those working on his force knew how he felt. It had gone a long way towards them establishing their business, although, even now, he rarely complimented them in person.
They worked through the afternoon, fielding inquiries, adding information to their database and beginning work on the list Dan had given them. A couple of times Honey checked the time and her cell for messages, but when four-fifteen and then four-thirty came and went decided Bob and Brian must have been delayed.
At five to five, Trixie shut down her computer and went into her friend’s office. “Still no word?”
Honey shook her head. “I just sent a text. But worst case scenario, I guess he can meet us at Di and Mart’s.” The slight wrinkling of her brow, visible through her bangs, suggested this idea disappointed her.
“Come on, we’re done for the day,” Trixie instructed.
As she spoke, the door buzzer went and they exchanged looks. How many times had they been late for events as a result of someone walking in right on closing time?
“I’ll get rid of them,” Trixie said. “We are going home and changing.” She headed for the tiny foyer before Honey could protest. A few seconds later, she stuck her head around the office door.
“Sorry, Hon, couldn’t ditch this one.”
Brian appeared behind her and Honey flew from her desk and into his arms.
Trixie leaned against the doorjamb and grinned. “Ain’t love grand?”
*
Honey put down the dryer and smiled up at Brian.
“See, I told you we’d save time by showering together,” he said, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“At one point I wasn’t sure that was going to be true,” she returned.
“No, well, I think as it’s been a while since we’ve seen one another, we should take our time. Let’s call that a preview of the main event.”
“Or an entrée before the main course,” Honey suggested, running her fingers over the fine smattering of dark hair on his lean, muscled chest.
“I sure have missed you,” he kissed her again, this time on the mouth.
She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back, wondering what it was about this man that affected her so. When they’d split up, she’d told herself that her love for Brian was based at least in part on familiarity, on him being so entwined in the events that offered her, finally, a happy life. He was safe. But she’d soon learned that it was so much more than that. There was a connection between them that she could not explain.
“What time do you have to get back to Chicago?” She asked when he released her.
“Trying to get rid of me already?” He teased.
“Just working out what I have time for.”
“Don’t have to be back for forty-eight whole hours, well fifty-two to be exact but I’m not including travel time.”
Honey grabbed his arm. “Really? I was sure you’d be here for a day at the most.”
“Decided it was time to start calling in some of those shift IOUs,” Brian said.
“I’m running out of time to stake my claim.” During his time in Chicago, especially when he and Honey were separated, he had traded more shifts than he could count. Allowing those with families and lives to have time off for holidays while he worked. Even when he’d started dating again he still traded shifts. It didn’t take him long to figure out that he was not interested in other women. Working insane hours just gave him an excuse not to get involved. And since his reconciliation with Honey, he’d kept far better track of who owed him favours.
“That sounds promising.”
“It should mean I can come home most weeks until my rotation ends.”
Honey opened a drawer in the vanity and pretended to study its contents while she blinked away a few tears. Knowing that Brian was coming home for good within the month was wonderful. The fact that she could see him each week was almost too good to be true.
“I might finish getting dressed.” Brian dropped one last kiss on Honey’s bare shoulder and headed for the bedroom.
Honey gave her long hair one more flick with the brush and went after him.
*
The remodeling of the Lynch estate had provided Diana and Mart with a huge entertaining space. There was a big family room leading onto a covered patio, which further extended to a paved outdoor area with a pool. The party had been set up on the patio, though the doors to both the family room and outside were all open. There was a long buffet table that held an array of food. Smaller round tables were dotted around the space surrounded by simple padded chairs. Anyone looking for more comfort could easily move through to the living space with its big sofas and chairs. It was no surprise to the guests that the decorations were lavender themed, though the tablecloths were white, and there were touches of green and silver as well. Lamps and lanterns threw pools of soft golden light around the space, and in the background a vintage jazz CD crooned a welcome.
Trixie and Jim were the first of the Bob-Whites to arrive. They entered arm in arm and were welcomed by Diana’s parents, who hugged them and directed them to the bar, where Jim grabbed a beer and Trixie took a cranberry juice.
Harrison, the Lynches’ long-time butler, greeted Jim and Trixie, leading them to the padded banquette that ran along one wall and summoning one of the hired wait staff, who were circulating with trays of appetizers. Knowing the older man was being solicitous, Trixie took a seat with good grace, and she and Jim helped themselves to delicious savory pastries. She looked up a minute later to see Diana hurrying towards them with Mart trailing along in her wake.
“Trix, Jim!” She gave Jim a swift hug and dropped down onto the banquette beside her friend. “Trixie, you look wonderful.”
Trixie was wearing an azure blue dress that fell just below the knee. Its deep neckline showed off her breasts without being too revealing, and the drape of the fabric hinted at her growing belly.
“She is gorgeous, isn’t she?” Jim said, gazing lovingly at his wife.
“Please,” Trixie said, “all eyes will be on the birthday girl tonight. With good reason.”
Diana had chosen a delicate georgette dress, which floated down to mid-calf. It featured tiny white flowers on an amethyst background. Her blue black hair fell to her shoulders, and amethyst and platinum drop earrings sparkled and caught the lamp light.
“You look amazing, Di,” Trixie added.
“Fabulous,” Jim agreed. “In fact, the whole place looks great. You’ve outdone yourself. I hope you’ll help me out when I start on the inside of the school.”
“I’d love to,” Di said. “I keep meaning to come up and check things out. Mart says it’s looking terrific.”
Jim nodded. “A lot’s been done in the past couple of weeks.”
“Speaking of Mart, where did he go to? He was right behind you.” Trixie craned her neck trying to catch sight of her almost twin.
“Perhaps we have a new mystery for you, Trix,” Diana said. “The Case of the Disappearing Husband.”
“There he is,” Jim said, nodding towards the patio entrance on the other side of the room. “And he’s not alone.”
“Oh, Brian’s here.” Di jumped up and ran across the room to greet the new arrivals. Growing up, she had found serious, steady Brian a little daunting sometimes, but since her marriage to Mart, Diana had formed a strong bond with the eldest Belden, and the two were close.
“Brian, I’m so glad you could make it!” She threw her arms around him, and Brian hugged her back.
“You look well, Di,” he said. “Happy.”
“I think that’s supposed to be gorgeous, stunning,” Mart teased.
“People say that to me all time,” Diana returned. “I like that Brian notices the whole me, not just the outside part.”
“His whole life, he can do no wrong,” Mart groaned, but his blue eyes twinkled. “I’m guessing you’d agree with that, Honey?”
Diana released Brian and turned to face Honey. “What a terrible hostess I am. I haven’t even said hello.”
“You do remember me, right?” Honey said. “One of your closest friends in the whole wide world?”
Both women laughed and then embraced. “Happy birthday, Di and, for the record, I agree with both Belden brothers. You look well, happy and stunning.”
“You don’t look too shabby yourself, Miss Wheeler.”
Honey was wearing a halter neck a-line dress in a soft sage green. The embossed fabric fell just below her knees and showed off her long slender legs.
“Women,” Mart said with a shake of his blonde head. “It’s always about the dresses.”
“Not always,” Diana countered.
“And definitely not only,” Honey added.
“Come on, let’s get you two drinks. Jim and Trixie are already here, and my parents have gone to get Drew. They think he should be thoroughly fussed over and admired before being put to bed.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Honey said.
“And I’m hanging out to see my nephew. I’m worried he won’t recognize me.” Brian ran his hand through his dark wavy hair, worn a little longer than in his youth.
“No chance of that,” Mart offered. “We have a group photo of the Bob-Whites and all of Lynches and Beldens in his room. Uncle Brian gets regular special mentions. His mother insists on it.”
“Thanks, little sister.” Brian winked at Di and she winked back. She often said how much she enjoyed having an older brother, and Brian had been on hand, at least via phone, throughout her pregnancy. Di found his advice and support, a big help.
“Now, why don’t you two go and join Jim and Trix,” Mart said. “If I am not suffering from an erroneous miscalculation, my highly developed senses have detected the arrival of the Belden parents along with our youngest sibling.”
“He couldn’t just say Moms, Dad and Bobby are here?” Brian asked.
“He really couldn’t,” Honey said as she watched Mart go.
“I’m going to meet them, too,” Di said. “Catch up in a few minutes.”
Honey went to join her brother and Trixie while Brian fetched champagne for them both. Jim pulled a couple of chairs closer to the banquette.
“Honey, you wore the green after all,” Trixie said. “I knew you’d flash a little more flesh with my brother back in town. Looking good.”
Honey flushed. “You look gorgeous yourself, and you seem to be flesh-flashing, too.”
“If I keep growing like this I’ll be flashing a whole lot more flesh.” Trixie made a face. “I picked up a pair of those maternity jeans when Di dragged me out shopping, but already I’m struggling to get into most of my tops. I hate shopping.”
Brian returned with his and Honey’s drinks. “Did I just hear my sister say she hates shopping? My, what a surprise.”
“Funny man,” Trixie said.
“Don’t worry, Trix. Maybe we can have a look at some stuff online. You won’t even have to get out of your chair,” Honey offered.
“Sounds promising. Now, if we can just get our hands on some food. Oh, good, here it is.” Trixie smiled as a white-shirted arm extended a silver tray before her.
“Try the salmon and caviar, Honey, it’s delicious.”
“Oh, hi Steve, I didn’t know you were going to be here.” Honey blushed as she looked up and met the eye of the good-looking, fair-haired man who stood before them with a tray of appetizers.
“Harrison called the catering service for extra help, and when I heard I offered to work.”
“Don’t you usually set these sorts of parties up?” Trixie asked vaguely recalling the man ran a food company in town.
“It’s good to keep your hand in. I don’t see this as any less important than the cooking or the planning,” the young man returned with an easy smile.
“I think that’s an excellent attitude.” Honey smiled and took the proffered item and bit into it, savoring the delicious treat with its tangy sour cream topping. “This is very good.”
“I remember how much you like salty things.”
Brian shot Trixie an enquiring look at this.
“You’re looking nice tonight,” Steve added, smiling down at Honey as the others selected from his tray.
“Thank you.”
“Have you met my brother Brian?” Trixie asked. “He’s Honey’s boyfriend, you know.”
“No, I haven’t had the pleasure. Though I confess I did guess that was who you were.” Steve nodded at Brian. “You’re a lucky man.”
“Yes, I am,” Brian agreed, though he looked a little puzzled.
“You know you could leave this with us,” Jim suggested as he reached for another appetizer.
“It’s easier than you walking around all the time,” Trixie told Steve as he automatically began to protest.
“I guess you’re right. There’s plenty to go around. I’ll see you all later.” He hurried off, stopping to issue instructions to another of the wait staff.
“Friend of yours?” Brian turned to Honey, a half-smile on his handsome face.
“Sort of…an acquaintance really.”
“Former paramour,” Trixie corrected with a grin. “And she still catches up with him for coffee and stuff.”
“I don’t see him very often, ” Honey said. “And I have coffee with lots of people.”
“Including this guy, who is…?” Brian kept his tone easy and even.
“One of those poor saps she dated in between engagements with yours truly.” Trixie supplied helpfully.
“You make it sound like I was constantly dating!” Honey protested, her face flaming. “I only went out with two guys and only a few times.” She hadn’t hidden the fact from Brian—there wasn’t really anything to hide. Dating other guys had not been all that successful for her, but she didn’t prattle on about it either.
“Once was all it took me to know what I had,” Brian said romantically with a deliberate blink of his long, dark lashes.
“One date, and how many years of living next door to her and going to dances and sitting next to her whenever you got the chance and—”
“You can stop talking now.” Brian gave his sister a mock glare.
“Anyway,” Trixie continued, “Steve might be a little sappy, but he’s a hell of a lot nicer than the other guy.”
“The other guy?” Brian’s brows lifted.
“Smarmy Evan Chambers.” Trixie made a face.
“Can we save this for later?” Jim asked, seeing his sister’s embarrassment. “We don’t want this food to get cold. Do we?”
“Good point. I forgot how good these parties were,” Brian said, biting into a crab puff. “This is not my regular sort of fare.”
“Chinese takeout and pizza?” Trixie quipped. “Fries, hot dogs and greasy burgers?”
“Please!” Brian glared at her. “My job description is to make people well, not undermine their overall digestive health.”
“Ouch,” Jim shifted in his chair. “I think he’s dissing our teenage diets. And, it has to be confessed, some peoples’ adult diet.”
His friend laughed. “There is nothing wrong with any of those things occasionally. I just wouldn’t recommend limiting my choices to them. Besides, it’s much cheaper to eat brown rice and canned tuna or scramble a couple of eggs with some mushroom, tomatoes and spinach.”
“Does that mean you’re volunteering to cook breakfast next time we get together?” Trixie demanded.
“Maybe, if you play your cards right,” Brian said. “After all, I feel an avuncular obligation to the next generation.”
“Did Mart put you up to saying that?” Trixie’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Came up with it all on my own,” her brother returned, dark eyes twinkling.
“Oh, woe is me,” Trixie groaned. “Soon I’ll have to put up with both of you on a full-time basis.”
“Poor Trixie,” Honey patted her friend’s shoulder consolingly. “Her lot is a hard one.”
“Too true,” Jim said with a grin. “Luckily, she’s not the sort to complain.”
“Seriously.” Trixie leaned over and poked her brother’s arm. “Glad you’re coming home for good. We have sort of missed you.”
“I’ve sort of missed you too, Trix. Now, tell me, anything new and exciting at Belden-Wheeler Investigations?”
“Didn’t you tell him?” Trixie asked turning to Honey.
“Tell me what?” Brian asked, instantly alert.
“Nothing.” Honey frowned at her friend.
“Maybe nothing, maybe not,” Trixie corrected.
“Well, what is it? Tell me.”
“Honey has a phantom doorknocker.”
“Honey has a what?”
MPD: MAIN NEXT
Word Count: 3705
Author's Notes: Big hugs to my awesome editor, Dana. Exacting, encouraging and enthusiastic. Any and all muck-ups are mine. The photo featured on this story is of David Conrad (one of my Brians) and Alicia Silverstone (who comes fairly close to my idea of Honey) and is from the short-lived TV program MissMatch. It is used without permission—my bad. Trixie Belden et al belong to Random House, not to me. No profit is being made from these scribblings.
“Well?” she prompted when she’d finished.
“I don’t like the sound of it.”
“Me either.” Trixie set a lot of store in Dan’s opinion. He’d seen enough to know that evil—in all shapes, sizes and volumes—existed, but he was not inclined to see it lurking around every corner. His assessment was reasoned without being optimistic, open without being reckless.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure that Honey isn’t right and I’m overreacting, but…”
Dan raised his black brows.
“I keep thinking about what happened seven months ago.”
“But, we decided, I mean…” Dan’s voice trailed off as he ran a distracted hand through his dark hair. “You’re not suggesting this might have anything to do with that, are you?”
“I don’t know what I’m suggesting. But that case remains unsolved, and the woman who died was in her late twenties, five-feet-six-and-a-half, slim build, had long dark gold hair and—”
“Don’t remind me,” Dan cut her off. “When we first got that call and I heard the description I completely freaked.”
“You weren’t the only one.”
“But, Trix, there was nothing to connect that woman, or the case, to Honey. It was just a coincidence.”
“I guess so.” Trixie tugged on a curl. “What do you say, after the festivities tonight, we call a Bob-White meeting and get everyone’s opinion on the situation?”
“I say that Trixie Belden has come a long way and that’s a great idea.”
“Good and thanks.”
“For what?”
“Not talking about hormones affecting the way I feel about things.”
Dan snorted. “And risk you shooting me?”
“That’s ridiculous!” Trixie asserted. “I don’t even have my gun on me.”
“Want to split a piece of pie?” Dan asked.
Trixie nodded. “Now, that’s something I’m happy to blame on my hormones. Yes, please.”
When Trixie returned from lunch with a Caesar salad for her friend, she tried not to feel guilty about going to Dan behind her back. Honey had been busy doing background research for their new case, and they went through her notes while she ate.
“Have you heard from my brother?” Trixie asked when they’d finished planning their next step.
“Bob picked him up about an hour ago. They should land in White Plains around four. If everything goes smoothly, he’ll be here before five. But he’ll call as soon as he lands.” Honey’s face lit up as she spoke, and Trixie smiled. She missed her brother, too, and she couldn’t imagine being separated from Jim as much as Honey was from Brian.
“Plenty of time to get ready for Di’s party then.”
“Well, you and I both know that the guys’ idea of getting ready for events involves showering and yelling—”
“‘What should I wear?’” Trixie finished with a laugh. “Imagine asking me.”
“You, as you well know, look positively gorgeous—all the time, without even trying.”
This elicited another laugh from Trixie. “I do love your one-eyed view of your friends.”
“My objectivity is beyond reproach,” Honey returned with a toss of her hair.
“Speaking of gorgeous, what little number do you have out for tonight’s festivities? I’m guessing with the prodigal’s return, you’ll go for the sexiest option.”
“I can’t wait to see Di’s outfit.” Honey blithely ignored her partner’s comment. “It sounds divine.”
“Di always looks divine.”
“I hope she likes her presents,” Honey said.
“Like them? She’ll love them. It was genius paying for art classes. When I told Mart, he said he wished he’d thought of it. Apparently, she’s been dying to get back into painting and she loves the artist who’s running the course. As for the rest: Di and pretty things in lavender. How can we go wrong?”
“You’re right.” Honey leaned back in her chair. “I know I should be concentrating on work, but I am struggling today. Can you think of something useful but routine to assuage my guilt at not firing on all cylinders?”
“How about we go through our list of background checks courtesy of the Sleepyside Police Department?” Because of their long term involvement with the department, including the fact that both women had worked there during the past few years, they were often given routine checks to run on missing persons and other matters that the department didn’t have the manpower for.
“Sure,” Honey said. She swiveled her chair towards her computer and was about to open the relevant file when she stopped. “Wait. When did we get these? You didn’t mention Dan dropping by early this morning.”
Trixie gulped. Way to go, Detective Belden, she thought. “I ran into him in the diner,” she replied. Hoping she sounded casual.
“That was lucky,” Honey said. “Okay, hit me. What do we have this week?”
It had taken some time for the two to realize their dream of an agency together and neither one of them ever took it for granted. There had been years of college and internships, where they honed and developed their individual skills and their collective knowledge of law-enforcement. After graduation, they had sought differing workplaces and roles, believing this would best serve their long-term goal. Almost two years earlier they had opened the doors of Belden-Wheeler Investigations, and gradually their reputation for thorough, discreet and results-driven work ensured they were more than just viable.
Sergeant Molinson, now Police Chief Molinson, could never resist kidding the two about their teenage exploits, but he respected them and he made sure those working on his force knew how he felt. It had gone a long way towards them establishing their business, although, even now, he rarely complimented them in person.
They worked through the afternoon, fielding inquiries, adding information to their database and beginning work on the list Dan had given them. A couple of times Honey checked the time and her cell for messages, but when four-fifteen and then four-thirty came and went decided Bob and Brian must have been delayed.
At five to five, Trixie shut down her computer and went into her friend’s office. “Still no word?”
Honey shook her head. “I just sent a text. But worst case scenario, I guess he can meet us at Di and Mart’s.” The slight wrinkling of her brow, visible through her bangs, suggested this idea disappointed her.
“Come on, we’re done for the day,” Trixie instructed.
As she spoke, the door buzzer went and they exchanged looks. How many times had they been late for events as a result of someone walking in right on closing time?
“I’ll get rid of them,” Trixie said. “We are going home and changing.” She headed for the tiny foyer before Honey could protest. A few seconds later, she stuck her head around the office door.
“Sorry, Hon, couldn’t ditch this one.”
Brian appeared behind her and Honey flew from her desk and into his arms.
Trixie leaned against the doorjamb and grinned. “Ain’t love grand?”
*
Honey put down the dryer and smiled up at Brian.
“See, I told you we’d save time by showering together,” he said, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“At one point I wasn’t sure that was going to be true,” she returned.
“No, well, I think as it’s been a while since we’ve seen one another, we should take our time. Let’s call that a preview of the main event.”
“Or an entrée before the main course,” Honey suggested, running her fingers over the fine smattering of dark hair on his lean, muscled chest.
“I sure have missed you,” he kissed her again, this time on the mouth.
She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back, wondering what it was about this man that affected her so. When they’d split up, she’d told herself that her love for Brian was based at least in part on familiarity, on him being so entwined in the events that offered her, finally, a happy life. He was safe. But she’d soon learned that it was so much more than that. There was a connection between them that she could not explain.
“What time do you have to get back to Chicago?” She asked when he released her.
“Trying to get rid of me already?” He teased.
“Just working out what I have time for.”
“Don’t have to be back for forty-eight whole hours, well fifty-two to be exact but I’m not including travel time.”
Honey grabbed his arm. “Really? I was sure you’d be here for a day at the most.”
“Decided it was time to start calling in some of those shift IOUs,” Brian said.
“I’m running out of time to stake my claim.” During his time in Chicago, especially when he and Honey were separated, he had traded more shifts than he could count. Allowing those with families and lives to have time off for holidays while he worked. Even when he’d started dating again he still traded shifts. It didn’t take him long to figure out that he was not interested in other women. Working insane hours just gave him an excuse not to get involved. And since his reconciliation with Honey, he’d kept far better track of who owed him favours.
“That sounds promising.”
“It should mean I can come home most weeks until my rotation ends.”
Honey opened a drawer in the vanity and pretended to study its contents while she blinked away a few tears. Knowing that Brian was coming home for good within the month was wonderful. The fact that she could see him each week was almost too good to be true.
“I might finish getting dressed.” Brian dropped one last kiss on Honey’s bare shoulder and headed for the bedroom.
Honey gave her long hair one more flick with the brush and went after him.
*
The remodeling of the Lynch estate had provided Diana and Mart with a huge entertaining space. There was a big family room leading onto a covered patio, which further extended to a paved outdoor area with a pool. The party had been set up on the patio, though the doors to both the family room and outside were all open. There was a long buffet table that held an array of food. Smaller round tables were dotted around the space surrounded by simple padded chairs. Anyone looking for more comfort could easily move through to the living space with its big sofas and chairs. It was no surprise to the guests that the decorations were lavender themed, though the tablecloths were white, and there were touches of green and silver as well. Lamps and lanterns threw pools of soft golden light around the space, and in the background a vintage jazz CD crooned a welcome.
Trixie and Jim were the first of the Bob-Whites to arrive. They entered arm in arm and were welcomed by Diana’s parents, who hugged them and directed them to the bar, where Jim grabbed a beer and Trixie took a cranberry juice.
Harrison, the Lynches’ long-time butler, greeted Jim and Trixie, leading them to the padded banquette that ran along one wall and summoning one of the hired wait staff, who were circulating with trays of appetizers. Knowing the older man was being solicitous, Trixie took a seat with good grace, and she and Jim helped themselves to delicious savory pastries. She looked up a minute later to see Diana hurrying towards them with Mart trailing along in her wake.
“Trix, Jim!” She gave Jim a swift hug and dropped down onto the banquette beside her friend. “Trixie, you look wonderful.”
Trixie was wearing an azure blue dress that fell just below the knee. Its deep neckline showed off her breasts without being too revealing, and the drape of the fabric hinted at her growing belly.
“She is gorgeous, isn’t she?” Jim said, gazing lovingly at his wife.
“Please,” Trixie said, “all eyes will be on the birthday girl tonight. With good reason.”
Diana had chosen a delicate georgette dress, which floated down to mid-calf. It featured tiny white flowers on an amethyst background. Her blue black hair fell to her shoulders, and amethyst and platinum drop earrings sparkled and caught the lamp light.
“You look amazing, Di,” Trixie added.
“Fabulous,” Jim agreed. “In fact, the whole place looks great. You’ve outdone yourself. I hope you’ll help me out when I start on the inside of the school.”
“I’d love to,” Di said. “I keep meaning to come up and check things out. Mart says it’s looking terrific.”
Jim nodded. “A lot’s been done in the past couple of weeks.”
“Speaking of Mart, where did he go to? He was right behind you.” Trixie craned her neck trying to catch sight of her almost twin.
“Perhaps we have a new mystery for you, Trix,” Diana said. “The Case of the Disappearing Husband.”
“There he is,” Jim said, nodding towards the patio entrance on the other side of the room. “And he’s not alone.”
“Oh, Brian’s here.” Di jumped up and ran across the room to greet the new arrivals. Growing up, she had found serious, steady Brian a little daunting sometimes, but since her marriage to Mart, Diana had formed a strong bond with the eldest Belden, and the two were close.
“Brian, I’m so glad you could make it!” She threw her arms around him, and Brian hugged her back.
“You look well, Di,” he said. “Happy.”
“I think that’s supposed to be gorgeous, stunning,” Mart teased.
“People say that to me all time,” Diana returned. “I like that Brian notices the whole me, not just the outside part.”
“His whole life, he can do no wrong,” Mart groaned, but his blue eyes twinkled. “I’m guessing you’d agree with that, Honey?”
Diana released Brian and turned to face Honey. “What a terrible hostess I am. I haven’t even said hello.”
“You do remember me, right?” Honey said. “One of your closest friends in the whole wide world?”
Both women laughed and then embraced. “Happy birthday, Di and, for the record, I agree with both Belden brothers. You look well, happy and stunning.”
“You don’t look too shabby yourself, Miss Wheeler.”
Honey was wearing a halter neck a-line dress in a soft sage green. The embossed fabric fell just below her knees and showed off her long slender legs.
“Women,” Mart said with a shake of his blonde head. “It’s always about the dresses.”
“Not always,” Diana countered.
“And definitely not only,” Honey added.
“Come on, let’s get you two drinks. Jim and Trixie are already here, and my parents have gone to get Drew. They think he should be thoroughly fussed over and admired before being put to bed.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Honey said.
“And I’m hanging out to see my nephew. I’m worried he won’t recognize me.” Brian ran his hand through his dark wavy hair, worn a little longer than in his youth.
“No chance of that,” Mart offered. “We have a group photo of the Bob-Whites and all of Lynches and Beldens in his room. Uncle Brian gets regular special mentions. His mother insists on it.”
“Thanks, little sister.” Brian winked at Di and she winked back. She often said how much she enjoyed having an older brother, and Brian had been on hand, at least via phone, throughout her pregnancy. Di found his advice and support, a big help.
“Now, why don’t you two go and join Jim and Trix,” Mart said. “If I am not suffering from an erroneous miscalculation, my highly developed senses have detected the arrival of the Belden parents along with our youngest sibling.”
“He couldn’t just say Moms, Dad and Bobby are here?” Brian asked.
“He really couldn’t,” Honey said as she watched Mart go.
“I’m going to meet them, too,” Di said. “Catch up in a few minutes.”
Honey went to join her brother and Trixie while Brian fetched champagne for them both. Jim pulled a couple of chairs closer to the banquette.
“Honey, you wore the green after all,” Trixie said. “I knew you’d flash a little more flesh with my brother back in town. Looking good.”
Honey flushed. “You look gorgeous yourself, and you seem to be flesh-flashing, too.”
“If I keep growing like this I’ll be flashing a whole lot more flesh.” Trixie made a face. “I picked up a pair of those maternity jeans when Di dragged me out shopping, but already I’m struggling to get into most of my tops. I hate shopping.”
Brian returned with his and Honey’s drinks. “Did I just hear my sister say she hates shopping? My, what a surprise.”
“Funny man,” Trixie said.
“Don’t worry, Trix. Maybe we can have a look at some stuff online. You won’t even have to get out of your chair,” Honey offered.
“Sounds promising. Now, if we can just get our hands on some food. Oh, good, here it is.” Trixie smiled as a white-shirted arm extended a silver tray before her.
“Try the salmon and caviar, Honey, it’s delicious.”
“Oh, hi Steve, I didn’t know you were going to be here.” Honey blushed as she looked up and met the eye of the good-looking, fair-haired man who stood before them with a tray of appetizers.
“Harrison called the catering service for extra help, and when I heard I offered to work.”
“Don’t you usually set these sorts of parties up?” Trixie asked vaguely recalling the man ran a food company in town.
“It’s good to keep your hand in. I don’t see this as any less important than the cooking or the planning,” the young man returned with an easy smile.
“I think that’s an excellent attitude.” Honey smiled and took the proffered item and bit into it, savoring the delicious treat with its tangy sour cream topping. “This is very good.”
“I remember how much you like salty things.”
Brian shot Trixie an enquiring look at this.
“You’re looking nice tonight,” Steve added, smiling down at Honey as the others selected from his tray.
“Thank you.”
“Have you met my brother Brian?” Trixie asked. “He’s Honey’s boyfriend, you know.”
“No, I haven’t had the pleasure. Though I confess I did guess that was who you were.” Steve nodded at Brian. “You’re a lucky man.”
“Yes, I am,” Brian agreed, though he looked a little puzzled.
“You know you could leave this with us,” Jim suggested as he reached for another appetizer.
“It’s easier than you walking around all the time,” Trixie told Steve as he automatically began to protest.
“I guess you’re right. There’s plenty to go around. I’ll see you all later.” He hurried off, stopping to issue instructions to another of the wait staff.
“Friend of yours?” Brian turned to Honey, a half-smile on his handsome face.
“Sort of…an acquaintance really.”
“Former paramour,” Trixie corrected with a grin. “And she still catches up with him for coffee and stuff.”
“I don’t see him very often, ” Honey said. “And I have coffee with lots of people.”
“Including this guy, who is…?” Brian kept his tone easy and even.
“One of those poor saps she dated in between engagements with yours truly.” Trixie supplied helpfully.
“You make it sound like I was constantly dating!” Honey protested, her face flaming. “I only went out with two guys and only a few times.” She hadn’t hidden the fact from Brian—there wasn’t really anything to hide. Dating other guys had not been all that successful for her, but she didn’t prattle on about it either.
“Once was all it took me to know what I had,” Brian said romantically with a deliberate blink of his long, dark lashes.
“One date, and how many years of living next door to her and going to dances and sitting next to her whenever you got the chance and—”
“You can stop talking now.” Brian gave his sister a mock glare.
“Anyway,” Trixie continued, “Steve might be a little sappy, but he’s a hell of a lot nicer than the other guy.”
“The other guy?” Brian’s brows lifted.
“Smarmy Evan Chambers.” Trixie made a face.
“Can we save this for later?” Jim asked, seeing his sister’s embarrassment. “We don’t want this food to get cold. Do we?”
“Good point. I forgot how good these parties were,” Brian said, biting into a crab puff. “This is not my regular sort of fare.”
“Chinese takeout and pizza?” Trixie quipped. “Fries, hot dogs and greasy burgers?”
“Please!” Brian glared at her. “My job description is to make people well, not undermine their overall digestive health.”
“Ouch,” Jim shifted in his chair. “I think he’s dissing our teenage diets. And, it has to be confessed, some peoples’ adult diet.”
His friend laughed. “There is nothing wrong with any of those things occasionally. I just wouldn’t recommend limiting my choices to them. Besides, it’s much cheaper to eat brown rice and canned tuna or scramble a couple of eggs with some mushroom, tomatoes and spinach.”
“Does that mean you’re volunteering to cook breakfast next time we get together?” Trixie demanded.
“Maybe, if you play your cards right,” Brian said. “After all, I feel an avuncular obligation to the next generation.”
“Did Mart put you up to saying that?” Trixie’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Came up with it all on my own,” her brother returned, dark eyes twinkling.
“Oh, woe is me,” Trixie groaned. “Soon I’ll have to put up with both of you on a full-time basis.”
“Poor Trixie,” Honey patted her friend’s shoulder consolingly. “Her lot is a hard one.”
“Too true,” Jim said with a grin. “Luckily, she’s not the sort to complain.”
“Seriously.” Trixie leaned over and poked her brother’s arm. “Glad you’re coming home for good. We have sort of missed you.”
“I’ve sort of missed you too, Trix. Now, tell me, anything new and exciting at Belden-Wheeler Investigations?”
“Didn’t you tell him?” Trixie asked turning to Honey.
“Tell me what?” Brian asked, instantly alert.
“Nothing.” Honey frowned at her friend.
“Maybe nothing, maybe not,” Trixie corrected.
“Well, what is it? Tell me.”
“Honey has a phantom doorknocker.”
“Honey has a what?”
MPD: MAIN NEXT
Word Count: 3705
Author's Notes: Big hugs to my awesome editor, Dana. Exacting, encouraging and enthusiastic. Any and all muck-ups are mine. The photo featured on this story is of David Conrad (one of my Brians) and Alicia Silverstone (who comes fairly close to my idea of Honey) and is from the short-lived TV program MissMatch. It is used without permission—my bad. Trixie Belden et al belong to Random House, not to me. No profit is being made from these scribblings.
