Lover’s Knot

by Janice

Author’s notes: Nine months have passed since the epilogue to The Trouble With Antonia. (And, no, no one had a baby!) What’s going on in the lives of the Bob-Whites? Read on and you’ll find out :)

Thanks, as ever, to my wonderful editor Grey. This story (like all the others) makes far more sense because of you!

Oh, and if you’re like me and can’t keep all the universes straight you may like to visit the Reminder Page first.

Trixie and Jim

A cool breeze blew as nineteen-year-old Trixie Belden waited for her boyfriend Jim Frayne. The pair had dated for around nine months now and had become firmly established as a couple.

“Sorry I’m late,” Jim called as he arrived. “I had a call from Honey just as I was leaving.”

“She knew we were going out,” said Trixie with a smile. “I told her you were mine for the evening and that she’d have to wait.”

“Looks like she didn’t listen,” replied Jim. “She sends her best, by the way.”

Trixie laughed. Honey lived four doors down from her and they saw each other every day.

“She’s gotten far more cheeky in the time she’s been away,” she added. She continued a little wistfully. “Sometimes I don’t know how to take her anymore.”

“You’ll learn,” said Jim with quiet confidence. “You’ll get to know each other over again and things will be better than ever.”

“I feel like I have to start again,” said Trixie. “She’s even more different than when she rebelled in high school. And I can barely recognize her when I see her.”

“You’re exaggerating, Trixie,” Jim laughed. “It will get better. I promise.”

“I hope so,” said Trixie gloomily.

“Cheer up,” he replied. “We’ve got a movie to see.”

Almost two hours later, the pair found themselves back in Jim’s apartment. Trixie had enjoyed the movie, Hook, but Jim had been less than impressed.

“I think your problem with it was that you want to go to Neverland and start a school for the Lost Boys,” Trixie said impudently.

“For that,” replied Jim, “I won’t offer you any chocolate.”

Trixie pouted theatrically until Jim kissed the pout away. He broke away and retired to the kitchen. They were soon settled on the sofa, warm drinks in hand and the chocolate spread out in front of them on the coffee table.

“Now, about your earlier remark,” Jim said, feeding her a piece of chocolate.

Trixie captured his finger in her mouth, licking the chocolate off it.

“Please don’t punish me,” she asked. “I’ll be good, I promise.”

Jim smiled slowly and began to kiss her passionately. She responded in kind and the two pressed themselves together.

“Stop,” she gasped after a few minutes. “Jim, I don’t think I’m ready for this.”

“I’m sorry,” he said breathlessly. “I think I’d better take you home.”

Trixie and Honey

Morning sun was streaming down as Trixie rushed to catch up with Honey. She had caught sight of her friend amidst a crowd of students outside the residential building in which the two girls lived. Honey’s still-unfamiliar hairstyle, short and dyed a dark red, stood out starkly to Trixie.

“I’m glad I caught you,” she said, slightly puffed. “They’ve cancelled one of my lectures so I’ll be free at the same time as you. We can meet for lunch.”

“Sorry,” said Honey rather coldly. “I’ve got other things to do.”

Without another word Honey rushed away.

Well, how do you like that, thought Trixie, amazed and annoyed. Honey Wheeler was actually rude to me.

Di and Jared

Diana Lynch ran her fingers through her long dark hair. Her new schedule was a little tight and she had to rush to get from one class to the next.

Why did I have to change majors? she asked herself for the third time that day. I could have just persisted with Art History, then I wouldn’t have to do an extra year.

She arrived at her class just in time and seated herself as the lecturer began to speak. Di was still at UCLA but had transferred to Film and Television. She had been enjoying Art History but her boyfriend Jared had encouraged her to explore her other options.

At the end of the lecture Di had very little clue of what the lecture had been about. She walked slowly to what she and Jared thought of as ‘their’ bench and sank down onto it.

“Hi beautiful,” she heard him say as he approached.

Looking up, Di noticed anew just how handsome Jared was. His light brown hair was neatly trimmed and his slightly olive skin was clean-shaven and free from blemishes. Confidence shone in his green-hazel eyes and he held his tall, slim body upright.

He’s just the image of a great baseball player, she thought as she smiled and greeted him. I’m sure he’ll be famous one day.

Honey and Trixie

“Come shopping with me?” Trixie asked Honey as they met in the hallway.

“I’ve got other things to do,” Honey replied evasively.

Hurt at being brushed off once again, Trixie turned away.

“I thought we were friends,” she muttered, half to herself.

“Wait, Trixie,” cried Honey impulsively. “We need to talk about this.”

Trixie paused, then turned slowly towards Honey.

“I really do have other things to do,” began Honey sincerely. “I don’t want to talk about them at the moment, but I promise I’ll tell you when the time is right.”

“I thought that now since we’re living in the same place everything would go back to the way it was before,” Trixie said, as if Honey had not spoken. “I guess I was expecting a bit much.”

Honey laughed softly.

“Especially since you now spend so much time attached to my brother,” she said kindly. “No offence, Trix, but I have no desire to see you two make out.”

“Why not?” asked Trixie, laughing. “You may learn something.”

“I doubt it,” laughed Honey. “Seriously, though, I want us to be friends. Why don’t we make a special time each week that we keep free just for us?”

“That’s a great idea,” said Trixie enthusiastically.

After a few minutes negotiation they chose Thursday mornings.

Di and Jared

Di put down the telephone and turned to her boyfriend who had just arrived at her door.

“Who was that?” Jared demanded.

“My friend, Trixie,” said Di quietly. “We were just catching up.”

“Why would you want to ‘catch up’ with her?” sneered Jared. “She’s hardly any brighter than you are.”

Di sank down onto the bed, utterly deflated by his criticism.

“Let’s go, gorgeous,” he said in a gentler tone of voice. “I’ll take you where-ever you’d like to go.”

A weak smile lit Di’s face and she let him lead her out of the room.

Trixie and Jim

A yellow cab, holding Jim and Trixie, wended its way skillfully through the New York traffic. The two were deposited outside Jim’s apartment block and Jim swiftly escorted Trixie off the street and into the relative safety of his apartment.

“I love that place,” said Trixie dreamily. “They have the best food in all of New York.”

Jim laughed. “Did I bring Mart here by mistake?”

“As if you couldn’t tell,” said Trixie happily. Jim settled beside her on the sofa and she nestled against him.

For a long moment Trixie simply enjoyed the sensation of being close to Jim. She had wanted this for so long that sometimes it did not seem quite real. Jim’s kiss brought her back to the present, driving all thoughts from her brain as he pressed her body against the cushions.

“Jim,” she gasped. “We shouldn’t. You agreed that we wouldn’t.”

He rose quickly and walked to the opposite side of the room.

“I can’t help it,” he replied. “Whenever I’m near you I want to be nearer.”

“There’s something I want to talk about,” said Trixie. “I can’t really tell you the details, but something happened to someone I know - a bad something - from the sort of situation we’re in now. That person was really hurt by it and I don’t want that to happen to us.”

“What are you saying, Trixie?” asked Jim, perplexed. “Don’t you want us to be alone together?”

“No! I mean - uh,” began Trixie. For a moment it seemed that she would not continue. When she did speak it came out in a rush. “I want to wait. No, I mean I think I should wait. Until I’m married, I mean.”

“Trixie, I respect you,” Jim said finally, “and I can respect your decision.”

Brian and Ginnie

Brian Belden walked into class and seated himself near the front. He was intent on organizing his notebook and pens when a fellow student addressed him.

“May I sit next to you?” she asked.

Brian looked up to see a pretty girl with fair skin, short dark brown hair which framed her face and bright green eyes. A discreet downward glance revealed a curvaceous figure.

“Of course,” he said. “I’m Brian Belden.”

“Ginnie Ellis,” she responded. “I’ve just transferred here from Boston.”

“May I ask why?” he said with a laugh. “I can’t think of any reason to leave Boston for Buffalo.”

She joined his laughter. “Let’s just say I wanted a change of scenery.”

Brian and Trixie

Trixie opened the letter she had received from Brian. After the usual greetings, the subject turned to the events of three years previous. To the best of her knowledge, Trixie was the only one Brian had talked to about them.

‘I’ve been thinking about what happened,’ he wrote, ‘and I know now that I handled it the wrong way. I shouldn’t have tried to keep the relationship a secret and I shouldn’t have pushed myself to date again so soon after it ended.

‘It still hurts me to think about what might have been, but I think I’m really ready to move on now.

‘I’ve met someone that I think I might begin a relationship with soon and I don’t want things to turn out the way they did the last time.

‘Her name is Ginnie and she’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. She’s smart and funny and we have so much in common since she’s studying medicine as well.

I don’t want to mess this up, Trix. I need your advice. How much should I tell her about what happened with Tracey?’

He’s never asked for my advice before, thought Trixie, stunned. Whatever am I going to tell him?

After a little thought, Trixie composed her reply.

Honey, Trixie and Jim

Honey tapped smartly on Jim’s apartment door. It opened to reveal Trixie and, beyond her, Jim.

“I’ve brought you something,” she said as she breezed in. “One for each of you, in fact.”

She handed each of them a hard-cover novel.

“Magnolia Robertson,” read Trixie. “ ‘Fire and Blood.’ Isn’t this the novel that they’ve been promoting as the next big thing? I’m sure I’ve seen signs up for it in all the bookstores.”

“I didn’t think it was out yet,” added Jim.

“It’s not,” said Honey quietly.

“But then-” Trixie began. Suddenly, a light flashed on in her brain. “You wrote this, didn’t you?”

Honey nodded. “While I was living away from everyone I wanted something to do when I wasn’t working and this is the result.”

“So this is what’s been taking up all of your free time,” said Trixie thoughtfully.

Once again Honey nodded, this time a little shyly.

Jim had opened his copy and stood quietly, reading the inscription. Honey had written ‘To my dear brother Jim, Thank you for standing by me. I will always stand by you. All my love, Honey.’

“Thank you Honey,” he said, looking up. “That’s beautiful.”

“And so is mine,” said Trixie, examining her copy. Hers read ‘To dear Trixie, Once we were best friends and I hope that we will be again. Love always, Honey.’

Trixie embraced her friend. “I hope we’ll always be friends,” she said softly.

Briand and Ginnie

Brian looked across the table at Ginnie. They were sitting in a nice restaurant at the end of a delicious meal. He sipped his wine thoughtfully, savouring the moment.

“I’ve really enjoyed this evening,” she told him. “I’d like it if we could do something like this again.”

Brian’s heart felt like it had just risen into his throat and for a moment he could not speak.

“I’d like that too,” he managed finally. “Although perhaps something a little less formal would be better.”

“How about you come to my place tomorrow. We can have lunch together and then go over our notes together from Dr Jensen’s last class.”

Brian smiled and agreed.

This is getting better all the time, he thought.

Trixie and Jim

Trixie lay reclined on the sofa in Jim’s apartment, Honey’s novel in hand. They had just returned from their regular Saturday morning walk. It was the first opportunity she had had to read more than a few pages of Honey’s work.

“This is quite exciting,” she told Jim as he came into the room. “Do you suppose that Trudy Bayliss and Jeff Worthington are based on us?”

“Just wait until you get a little further along before you start making those sorts of comparisons,” he replied cryptically. Trixie noticed that he had reddened slightly as he spoke.

Jim deposited the dish he had held on the coffee table and returned to the kitchen. Trixie began reading again. By the time Jim had returned to the room with the rest of their breakfast Trixie had a good idea of what he meant.

Up until that point, Trixie had related the two main characters in the novel to herself and Jim and the plot to elements of the adventures they had had as teenagers. When Trixie read of Trudy inviting Jeff into her bed she shut the book with a snap.

“I see what you mean,” she told him, slightly embarrassed. Helping herself to the food he had prepared she asked him, “Do you think she was thinking of us when she wrote this?”

Jim thought for a moment. “Maybe when she was writing the mystery and adventure scenes,” he said thoughtfully. He smiled and added, “I don’t think we were the inspiration for the sex scenes.”

“I should hope not,” said Trixie, mortified. “I don’t know if I want to read this now. I mean, I want to know how it ends but I don’t really feel comfortable with-” she trailed off.

“Why don’t you skip a few pages,” he suggested. “One day, when you’re more - uh - comfortable you can go back and read them.”

“Thanks Jim,” she replied gratefully. “That’s exactly what I’ll do.”

Di and Jared

The sun was sinking low as Diana rushed back towards her dorm room. A careless passer-by had dripped something on her white blouse and she needed to change quickly before going to work.

Turning a corner, the rays of sunlight blinded her momentarily and she instinctively turned her head. To her horror she saw her boyfriend Jared, half-hidden by the shrubbery, in a rather intimate embrace.

“Jared?” she called, shocked.

He started, almost dumping the girl in his embrace to the ground.

“Di, honey, I can explain,” he began.

“Forget it,” she replied hotly, “and forget that you ever met me.”

“But sugar,” he pleaded, “it’s not what you think.”

“It’s over,” she said with a finality in her voice that even Jared could not deny.

Honey and Trixie

Thursday morning dawned bright and clear. Trixie had been looking forward with mixed feelings to her regular time with Honey.

The two had arranged for this week’s outing to be to a nearby cafe for breakfast, followed by an hour or two of shopping. They both had classes to attend later in the day.

“Move it, sleepyhead,” said Honey cheerfully as she knocked firmly on the door. “I’ve got things to do, so we have to hurry.”

“Coming,” muttered Trixie.

The two girls were soon seated at a small round table near the door and Trixie felt a strange awkwardness creep over her as they waited for their food to be prepared.

“Is something wrong?” asked Honey as Trixie poked for the fourth time at the dish of sweeteners on their table.

“No,” said Trixie, moving her attention to the salt and pepper.

“Trixie,” said Honey sharply.

Trixie’s head came up with a snap.

Maybe I should just ask, she thought. Then it would be over with.

“Are they based on Jim and me?” she asked bluntly.

“I was wondering when someone would ask that,” said Honey, almost to herself. “Yes, and no. To begin with, I was just writing our adventures, then I somehow decided to make the characters adults. I don’t really know what happened then. It sort of changed everything. They stopped being you and Jim and started being other people.”

“Oh,” said Trixie faintly.

“I don’t blame you for being annoyed,” continued Honey. “I should have asked you both before I signed the agreement to have it published.”

“I’m not annoyed,” said Trixie quickly. “I was kinda embarrassed, but I’m not mad at you.”

“Thanks,” said Honey sincerely.

Trixie knew in that moment that everything would be all right between them.

Honey and Jim

Honey’s telephone was ringing as she returned to her room after class.

“Hello,” she said, a little breathless.

“Honey, I’m glad I caught you,” she heard. It was Jim. “I wanted to talk to you about this book.”

“I know,” said Honey, contrite, “I should have asked you and Trixie. It’s not really about you, though.”

“I’m not mad at you, Honey,” he replied, “and I realise that the man in your novel isn’t me, but I think it’s made Trixie pretty uncomfortable.”

Honey sighed deeply. She admired Jim’s concern for others but she felt reluctant to go over this again.

“I spoke to Trixie about it this morning,” she said after a pause. “I think she’s all right with it.”

“Good girl,” he replied affectionately. “I’ll leave it between the two of you then.”

Dan, Honey, Trixie and Jim

“I got a letter from Dan,” Trixie cried as Jim let her into his apartment. Beyond him she could see Honey sitting on the sofa. “He’s moving here next semester.”

“That’s great,” said Honey. “I’ll get in touch with him right away.”

“I wonder if he’s got anywhere lined up to stay,” said Jim thoughtfully. “I’m looking for a new roommate for next semester now that Vince is leaving. Can you ask him for me, Honey?”

Honey readily agreed.

Ginnie and the Beldens

Trixie walked in the kitchen door of Crabapple Farm and dumped her bags on the kitchen table. This was going to be a busy weekend, with a new investigation underway, thanks to a call she had received a few days ago, and her presence expected at the farm.

“Moms, I’m home!” she called. A girl she had never seen before appeared in the doorway. “You must be Ginnie,” she said with a smile. “I’m Trixie.”

“Your mother has gone to get some last minute groceries,” Ginnie told her, “and your brothers have gone to see someone. Regan, I think they said.”

Trixie nodded. “He’s the groom up at the Manor House.” At Ginnie’s quizzical expression Trixie explained. “The big house up on the next hill.”

Ginnie’s mouth formed the shape of an “Oh,” but no sound emerged. At that moment, the three Belden boys trouped in through the kitchen door.

“Trix,” said Brian, obviously delighted to see her. “I see you’ve met Ginnie.”

Trixie was surrounded by brothers, each of them embracing her in turn and talking at once of the latest news from the Manor House.

“Bobby, I swear you’ve grown since I saw you last,” she said, to his delight. She paused for a moment, then asked, “What did you just say?”

“I said, Regan and Isabella are having another baby,” Bobby repeated.

Trixie’s face broke into a happy smile.

“Is Moms home yet?” asked Mart. “I’m starved.”

All of the Beldens laughed. Ginnie’s raised eyebrow signalled her confusion.

“He’s always hungry,” explained Brian. “And by the sound of Reddy’s barking I’d say he doesn’t have long to wait.”

Brian was right. A few moments later Mr. and Mrs. Belden entered the house, each weighed down with groceries.

“Moms, Dad, I’d like you to meet Ginnie,” said Brian.

Why, he’s nervous, thought Trixie. In fact, they both are.

Helen Belden had soon put her guest at ease and gathered the whole group around the kitchen table for an informal afternoon tea. Trixie was satisfied to see approval in both of her parents’ eyes and relief in those of her eldest brother.

Brian and Trixie

Later that evening Trixie found herself alone in the kitchen, preparing to wash the dishes. She was so lost in thought that she did not notice Brian approaching her until he was right behind her.

“Thanks, Trix,” he whispered. “Your advice was spot on.”

Before she could say a word he was gone.

Mart and Trixie

Long after the household had retired Trixie lay awake. It seemed strange to be in her old bed in her old room.

I’ll just go downstairs for something to drink, she thought. Then maybe I’ll be able to sleep.

Creeping downstairs, she became aware that someone else had had a similar idea for the kitchen light was on.

“Mart,” she whispered, “what are you doing down here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he countered.

They both laughed quietly and Mart invited her with a gesture to sit at the table. He began to make drinks for both of them.

“So, what do you think of Ginnie?” he asked her. He added, “I like her.”

“So do I. I think everyone does. Moms could barely contain her delight,” said Trixie with a giggle. “Plus, I think she’s perfect for Brian. They look like they belong together.”

Mart nodded. Trixie could tell that he had something on his mind.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he said finally. “I want to be happy for him, but-”

Trixie waited for the rest of the sentence but it did not come.

“Aren’t you happy?” she asked him finally.

“No,” he muttered, his back to her. “Everyone I date is either an airhead or so serious that I just about go mad. How can Brian find someone so perfect when I can’t. And I don’t think I’m going to stay at college.”

He stopped as Trixie gasped.

“I thought you loved it there,” she asked. “You kept talking about everything you learned and-” She broke off.

“I did love it,” he said forlornly. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Trixie thought hard for a moment.

“Have you considered taking some time off?” she asked. “Maybe you could work somewhere for a year and then go back to it. You’d meet new people and get a new perspective.”

“Thanks, Trix. I’ll think about it.”

Dan, Honey, Trixie and Jim

The beginning of the second semester brought plenty of changes that year. Since Dan had transferred to New York there were now four of the former Bob-Whites in the city.

“Why don’t we all go out together tonight,” said Trixie at lunch one day.

“I don’t know,” said Honey noncommittally. “Wouldn’t Dan and I kind of be in the way?”

“No,” said Trixie enthusiastically. “It would be like a double date. You agree don’t you Jim?”

“Of course,” said Jim rather less enthusiastically.

“Then it’s settled,” said Trixie.

Diana and Honey

The sound of the telephone ringing brought Honey back from a dream world. In her mind, she was dancing with Dan in the middle of the game preserve while an invisible orchestra played.

“Hello,” she said, a little crossly.

“Honey?” came Di’s voice, sounding small and lost.

“Oh, hello Di,” said Honey, a little more cheerfully. “How are you?”

“Just dandy,” said Di sarcastically. “I’ve just decided to start over.”

“What do you mean?” asked Honey, surprised. “Are you transferring majors again?”

“Majors, colleges, states,” chanted Di. “I’m coming back to New York.”

Honey and Dan

Surprise registered on Dan’s face as he opened the door to Honey.

“Jim’s not here,” he began.

“I know,” said Honey. “I came to see you.”

“You did?” He seemed even more surprised. “I suppose you should come in.”

“There’s something I want us to talk about,” she began once they were seated comfortably on the sofa. “I think we could be more to each other than just friends.”

“What did you have in mind?” he asked with a slow smile.

Her kiss gave him the answer.

Trixie and Jim

A soft evening breeze ruffled Trixie’s curls as Jim helped her out of a yellow cab, hinting of the summer to come. They had dined at their favourite restaurant with Honey and Dan and had returned to his apartment for some time alone.

“Trixie,” he began slowly. “I need to talk to you about the future, our future.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, slightly alarmed by his serious tone.

“If we’re going to have a romantic relationship then we have to think about where it’s going to take us. I have some hopes and dreams which I don’t want to lose sight of. I need to know if your hopes and dreams are compatible with mine.”

She searched his face for a few serious moments.

“What did you have in mind,” she asked finally.

“Family,” he said. “Marriage. Children. I don’t think I need to tell you what it would mean to me to have a family of my own.”

“Surely it’s too soon to talk about this sort of thing,” she said, panicking slightly. “I mean, it’s only been a few months and I’m still in my teens, even if you aren’t.”

“You need to know how important this is to me,” he said, avoiding her eyes. “If you can’t handle it then I think we should stop seeing each other.”

“No!” she said sharply. “We can talk about it. I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect something like this to come up just yet.”

“I need to know,” he said simply.

“Okay,” she said and drew a deep breath. “I suppose that I’ve always assumed that I would marry some day. I don’t think I want to end up just like Moms, though,” she added with a giggle. “I couldn’t stand to have nothing to do but look after the house and garden and kids. I want something more than that.”

“What about kids?” he prompted.

“Well, I suppose that I want them one day,” she replied. “More than one, but less than four. And definitely not before I’m twenty! Can you deal with that?”

Jim laughed and said that he could.

Trixie and Dan

Trixie was surprised to see Dan answer her knock at the apartment door. Not only was she expecting to see Jim, but Dan’s appearance brought a smile to her face. A white powder marred his dark blue shirt and adorned parts of his dark hair.

“Going grey before your time, Dan?” she asked him saucily.

Dan responded by vigorously rubbing at his hair, only making matters worse since his hands were covered in the same powder.

“Jim called a few minutes ago and said he’d be late,” Dan told her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I have things to do.”

“What things?” Trixie asked, seemingly oblivious to the clear dismissal which Dan had issued.

“Nothing, Trixie,” he snapped. “Why don’t you watch TV while you wait?”

“Is that flour in your hair?” Trixie persisted.

“So what if it is?” Dan hedged. He muttered, “I suppose I couldn’t hope to keep this from Miss Detective.”

“I could help you,” she told him. “After all, I don’t have anything better to do until Jim gets here.”

“Fine,” Dan conceded. “Just don’t laugh, okay?”

“Deal,” Trixie agreed. “Lead the way.”

On entering the kitchen Trixie fought hard to suppress a smile. Every surface was littered with cake making equipment and ingredients. Flour liberally dusted the counter and the cover of a small recipe book.

“So,” Trixie began, avoiding Dan’s eyes. “Where are you up to?”

“Nowhere,” Dan burst out. “I don’t know the first thing about making cakes and this book is no help.” He hit the book for emphasis, showering the floor with more flour.

“So why are you doing this?” Trixie asked him. “You could just buy cake.”

“No I couldn’t,” he told her angrily. “I can’t afford that sort of thing. I can barely afford to live here. One of the girls in my class told me I could make it myself for practically nothing so…”

“You thought you’d give it a go,” Trixie finished for him. “Well, lets get started then.”

Dan looked at her helplessly and Trixie could not contain her laughter any longer.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I know I promised but I can’t help it.”

When her laughter subsided she cleaned a space on the bench and hoisted herself onto it.

“Okay,” said Trixie, “I give the orders and you follow them. Lucky for you Moms taught me how to make cake.”

Honey, Dan and Philip

Dan led Honey through the corridors of Sleepyside Hospital. His uncle’s wife had given birth just before midnight on Sunday, now two days ago. They reached the room number the nurse had given them and, after tapping softly on the door, they entered.

“Dan!” said two-and-a-half-year-old Gianna. “Look! It’s a new baby!”

Dan smiled at his small cousin and strode forward to give her a hug. Gianna was perched on the side of the bed, next to her mother.

“Congratulations, Isabella,” he said softly, leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”

Meanwhile, Honey had begun a quiet conversation with Regan.

“I seem to have become invisible,” he whispered to her. “But I do have the advantage at the moment. Come and sit over here.”

Honey obeyed his instruction and in a moment he had placed newborn Philip in her arms. Dark eyes flickered open and a tiny fist fought its way out from under the blanket.

“He’s so tiny,” Honey said, awed.

Dan looked up with a start. “Oh, I didn’t see you there, Uncle Bill. Congratulations.”

Honey giggled softly and Dan made his way to her side, an unfathomable look on his face.

“So, why did you choose ‘Philip?’” he asked. “I was pretty sure that if it was a boy he’d be William Jr.”

Isabella laughed softly. “It’s every bit as appropriate,” she explained. “‘Philip’ means ‘groom’ or ‘horse lover.’”

Trixie and Honey

The cafe was becoming familiar to Trixie and she recognised the Thursday morning regulars among the other customers.

“Honey,” she began tentatively. “Are you and Dan, um-”

“Sleeping together?” asked Honey sweetly.

“No! I mean-” Trixie stumbled over her words. Regaining her composure in the face of Honey’s laughter she continued. “Are you seeing him?”

“Yes,” replied Honey, sobering. “I like him a lot. But it’s none of your business whether I’m sleeping with him,” she added with a laugh.

Trixie and Jim

Trixie fidgeted nervously as Jim opened his apartment door. They had been to dinner, alone at Jim’s insistence, and had now returned to his apartment.

“I brought you here for a reason,” he told her a few minutes later. He had made each of them a warm drink and Trixie was holding hers in front of her like a shield.

He seems nervous, she thought suddenly. She put her drink down on the coffee table and took his hand encouragingly.

“I want to give you something,” he continued. “I found it in my mother’s belongings after we cleaned out Rose Cottage. I think she might have made it herself.”

He stood, walked quickly to his room and returned with a small tissue-wrapped package. As he placed it in her hands Trixie felt that it was light and thin.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the paper. Inside was an intricate knot formed of twine. It measured about eight inches by four. Trixie wasn’t sure if it had originally had a creamy tone or if it had yellowed slightly with time.

“It’s beautiful,” she exclaimed, smiling up at him.

“Do you know what it is?” he asked tentatively. She shook her head and he continued. “It’s a lover’s knot. I know that we’re not lovers in the sense that you’re thinking,” he said with a smile, “but in the other sense, that’s exactly what we are. I love you, Trixie.”

Trixie’s eyes brimmed with tears but her smile was wide as she replied.

“I love you, too, Jim.”

The End

Back to Janice’s The Long Way Home Page

Please note: Trixie Belden is a registered trademark of Random House Publishing. This site is in no way associated with Random House and no profit is being made from these pages.