I do not own Trixie or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.

Heart's On Fire

Prologue

"Jim!" Trixie Belden greeted her boyfriend of six months, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Mmm," Jim grinned at her before placing a well-planned kiss on her lips. "You always give the best 'hellos.'"

He bent down and pulled her close to him as she welcomed him in her arms. The young couple had plans to attend the awards banquet given by the CAP committee. The dinner was completely forgotten as the duo embraced in the doorway of Trixie's dorm room. Several kisses later, Jim groaned as he remembered their friends and families who were expecting their arrival soon.

"As much as I would love to continue this," Jim paused to kiss the tip of her nose, "we do have some place else to be."

Trixie smiled and impulsively hugged him even closer to her. "As long as I'm with you, I don't really mind."

Arm in arm, they strolled to Jim's black sports car, eager to spend time with each other.

Jim let his eyes wander over Trixie as he pulled out of the parking lot. The fact that she was his girl never ceased to amaze him. Boldly, he placed a hand on her knee, rubbing the silky material of her dress as he caressed her thigh. Pushing the skirt aside, he let his fingers lazily enjoy the fell of her silky stockings.

"Jim," Trixie laughed as she grabbed his wandering hand when it began to inch higher. She pulled her dress back down, giving him a stern look.

"What?" Jim grinned innocently. "Can I help it if that dress is covering your beautiful legs? I'm going to have to buy you a very short dress."

Trixie couldn't stop the blush from spreading across her cheeks. She and Jim had been dating since October, six wonderful months. Their relationship had developed so naturally. Her brothers accepted Jim easily into their mix of friends along with Honey and Dan. Especially Honey, she thought. While Mart and Dan became friends, bonding in their wicked sense of humor, Brian had pursued Honey. Not that it took much pursuing. Honey had been immediately attracted to the handsome, sweet premed student from the beginning. Then Brian made it official at Christmas with a promise ring.

Right now, Trixie's life couldn't get any better. She was in love, surrounded by devoted friends and family, and now she was about to receive the CAP scholarship. Matt Wheeler and Win Frayne had joked about how much she deserved it just by putting up with Jim. It was her positive attitude that had actually made the difference, one that went far to erase the bad memories of that horrible day for all of them.

Now, she merely smiled whenever Win would warn her about Jim's quick temper. With her stubbornness and his hot-headedness, they were sure to clash eventually, just like they had in the beginning. Somehow the thought excited her more than anything.

Jim must have read Trixie's mind when he said, "Do you think you'll be able to put up with me? I'm not always this lovable."

"Always," she promised, surprised by the emotion and the catch in her voice.

Jim, too, heard the trembling of her words, and squeezed her hand before returning his attention back to the roadway. Frowning, he flipped the rearview mirror up as the bright light of the car behind the glared into his eyes. Slowing down in the street, he motioned for the car to pass them. The gray sedan paused beside them for a moment before speeding away.

Shrugging at Trixie, he put the car in gear and continued on. "I guess we're getting slow in our old age."

"Only you, Frayne," she poked his side playfully, but the tingles down her spine stayed long after the car had left. With a determined effort, she clamped down on her curious mind deciding to enjoy the evening undisturbed by inquisitive thoughts.

When they entered the elegant dining room, Trixie was delighted to see two places saved for Jim and her amongst their friends. She waved at the two other scholarship recipients before taking her seat.

Honey gave her an excited hug as they arrived. "You look wonderful, Trixie. I hope you're prepared for all the pictures you'll have to pose for."

Trixie glanced at her parents, who were beaming proudly. "They really deserve this night more than me. They've never complained, not once, about the cost of college."

"Your parents are the greatest," Honey agreed. "Mother and Daddy just love them, Jim's parents, too."

Trixie looked at Jim and grinned as he nodded his affirmation. "Where's Di and Mart?" she added.

"Where do you think?" Brian joked, looking toward the buffet.

"Poor Di," Honey sympathized. "She has two of the biggest appetites here escorting her to the dinner line. She'll be there all evening."

"I don't know about Di, but someone wouldn't let me grab a snack," Jim winked at Trixie. "Do you mind?"

"I'm hungry too," she admitted.

"Let's all go," Honey suggested, "before Mart eats it all."

Quickly, Jim grabbed Trixie's hand as they walked. "Food wasn't what I was hungry for," he whispered before releasing her. Flustered, Trixie watched as he joined Brian in the food line.

"Oh, Trix," Honey beamed at her friend, "we are going to have so much fun this summer. Your parents were okay with you visiting me, weren't they?"

Trixie and Honey had planned a two week visit at Honey's home in Rochester. Jim, whose parents lived nearby, had scheduled his vacation at the same time.

"I'm so excited," Trixie nodded, causing her curls to bounce energetically across her forehead. "Jim has promised to take me horseback riding."

"Jim's an excellent teacher," Honey informed her. "It wouldn't surprise me at all if he did that for a living. He's so good with kids."

"I bet there isn't anything Jim can't do and do awfully well at that," Trixie added proudly.

Honey just grinned at her friend and rolled her eyes. If Jim wasn't perfect, you couldn't tell it by Trixie's admiration of him. It wasn't anything she hadn't heard before, several times before. Her eyes flickered over Brian's tall form. Giggling, she reminded herself that she sometimes said things about Brian that made Trixie gag.

"Jim still has to take orders from Regan," Honey said. "He's in charge of our stables and everything has to be perfect or you'll have one mad redhead."

"Another redhead," Trixie laughed.

"And all with a temper."

"Who has a temper?" Jim inquired as he approached the girls carrying two plates of food. "I brought one for you, Trix."

"Thanks, Jim" Trixie smiled, "I'll get our drinks."

As the group settled at their table, Jim whispered in her ear, "I think we should save dessert for later."

Trixie blushed and thought about the upcoming summer vacation. She would have two weeks alone with Jim, and no job or classes to worry about, not even a big brother around. It was going to be the best vacation ever.