Author Note: Here is the fourth chapter. Happy Valentine's Day! Once again, this chapter is more focused on the characters than the mystery. However I am planning to have more mystery soon. I hope that you enjoy it!
"So what is the big clue?" Joe excitedly leaned across the small table in the living room of the ranch house toward Nancy who was standing in front of one of the couches beside the fireplace.
"I can't believe that you made us wait to see it." Although Ned spoke lightheartedly, there was a glint of disappointment and resentment in his eyes as he took a seat on the other couch.
"Nancy was wise to wait." Frank began quietly, walking over next to Nancy. Out of the corner of her eye, Nancy could Ned grow tenser. "Now we have all had a nights rest as well as breakfast so that we are refreshed, nourished, and ready to try to solve this mystery."
Flashing Frank a grateful smile, Nancy took a deep breath and slide the note across the table to Ned and Joe. The younger Hardy looked at the note with a furrowed brow before handing it to Nancy's boyfriend. "This is what I found up in the room in the cliff dwellings. I was expecting to find the treasure there but evidently Dirk was not finished with his treasure hunt."
"It stinks when a guy who has been dead for years changes something on you." Joe snickered and flopped backwards onto the couch next to Ned. Ignoring Frank's glare, Joe rested his feet up on the low table.
"Joe does have a point." Ned stated as he put the note upon the table. Standing up, he stretched and walked across the room toward the bookshelf in the back corner. With his back to the other three, he continued on. "It doesn't make much sense to continue to look for a treasure that some man who was a criminal and crazy with love hid so many years ago. It was probably already found by some of his buddies or a random person exploring the area. Who knows?"
"What are you trying to say, Ned?" Attempting to keep her voice neutral, Nancy started toward Ned. Stopping a few feet behind his turned back, Nancy waited and held her breath. Behind her, she could hear Frank shifting his weight between his feet anxiously and the couch creak as Joe twisted around to watch her. After a few tense moments, Ned sighed and turned to face Nancy. His face was filled with concern and exhaustion as he placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"I know that this mystery is a big deal to you," Ned began slowly, his eyes fixed on his girlfriend's deeply. "However I think that you do need to think about at what point it isn't worth it anymore. There are things more important in life than solving other people's problems."
"So do you want me to just give up?" Shaking off Ned's hands, Nancy took a step backwards. Although she tried not to elevate her voice, she knew that Shorty in the kitchen could have easily hear her. And knowing the cook, he was probably listening in and getting ready to tell anyone who would listen to him about the city slicker's boyfriend drama.
"No, not exactly." Speaking hurriedly, Ned ran his hands through his hair. "I just think you need to consider that there might be a point when there is nothing more you can do and…"
"So that's when I should give up?" Shaking her head, Nancy stared hard at her stammering boyfriend. "I don't give up when things get tough, Ned."
"Really?" Ned raised his eyebrows with a glint of anger and hurt in his eyes. "Do you have that mentality for real life and relationships or just with mysteries?"
Nancy's mouth dropped open and she pointed at Ned, ready to spout out some sharp comeback. However her mind went blank as she truly thought about what he had just said. Did Ned have a point? Confused and frustrated, Nancy let her arm flop back down to her side and stomped out of the room.
"Hey, Nancy." Shorty called excitedly from his place over at the stove. "What's going on? Y'all sound louder than a bunch of furious chickens." Without even glancing at the curious cook, Nancy hurried out of the house and let the door slam shut. Right now she did not want to talk with anyone especially not a gossipy loudmouthed suspect. Once outside, Nancy slid down to sit on the porch steps where she had been yesterday with Frank Hardy. Sighing, she let her head flop into her hands. What was she supposed to do? Her boyfriend obviously wanted her to abandon this case. Perhaps he even wanted her to give up on solving mysteries for good. How was she supposed to choose from two of the most important things to her?
"Ma'am, are you all right?" Looking up, Nancy saw the handsome tanned face of Dave Gregory staring down at her.
"Oh, I'm fine." Shrugging her shoulders, Nancy flashed the farmhand a wavering smile. However her response did not have the effect she had hoped. Dave continued to stare at her quietly with his large brown unblinking eyes. Squirming anxiously under his gaze, Nancy attempted once again to get him to leave. "I am just thinking of what to do next to find Dirk's treasure."
"I see." Dave nodded but he still looked skeptical. Finally he started up the steps toward the house and Nancy breathed out in gratitude. However her relief was short lived as Dave stopped a few steps from the door and turned back around. Clearing his throat, the cowboy took a seat next to Nancy. For a few minutes, they both sat quietly looking at one another.
"If you don't mind me saying this, ma'am," Dave broke the silence with his soothing western twang accent. "Your steady doesn't seem to fully appreciate you."
"No, he does." Immediately, Nancy protested. "He might not share my love of sleuthing but he still is very supportive and helpful during my cases."
"If you say so." Dave didn't look convinced but he did not argue his point. Gazing off into the distance, he smiled and blushed faintly. "He is sure a lucky fellow to be your steady."
"Uh, thanks." Turning slightly pink as well, Nancy tried to think of what to say in response. It was obvious that Dave still had feelings for her and although Nancy thought he was sweet, the shy farmhand was still a suspect. Also, even though she was going through a hard time with Ned, the detective was still devoted to her boyfriend. Thus, she opted for saying nothing in response. That way she figured she wouldn't give Dave false hope or hurt his feelings. Sometimes silence was the best answer.
"Well, I should probably get going on my chores 'fore Shorty or Tex holler at me." Standing, Dave stretched his arms and smiled shyly down at the titan haired girl. Returning the grin, Nancy pushed up onto her feet and stood at the bottom of the stairs. Dave tipped his hat before turning toward the house. Suddenly Nancy thought of a question that she had been meaning to ask the cowboy. Placing her hands on her hips, she called out before she forgot once again.
"Dave, how did you know where I was the other day?" The farmhand froze at the sound of the detective's voice with his hand on the door handle. Although he was faced away from Nancy, she could see the back of his neck turning red. Slowly, he turned around sheepishly.
"I didn't really know exactly where you were, ma'am," Dave started off hesitantly. "Those fellows wanted to know where to find you and I just pointed off the direction you had taken off in."
"But how did you know where I went after Mary Yazzie's shop?" Raising her eyebrows inquisitively, Nancy looked intently at Dave, searching his handsome face with her bright eyes.
"Uh, well ma'am," Ducking his head in embarrassment, the cowboy stuttered his answer. "I have just been worried about you lately. After all, with all of this talk about a ghost horse, rattle snakes, a hidden treasure, and those bank robbers who got away, I am worried about you."
Now it was Nancy's turn to blush as she blinked in confusion. "That's really sweet of you to care about my wellbeing, Dave." The sleuth gained her composure quickly. Reaching up, she placed her hand on Dave's shoulder gently. "However I can take care of myself."
"I believe you, ma'am. You have certainly proved that you aren't any city slicker." The concerned man answered no hesitation. "However it never hurts to be careful."
"I suppose that you do have a point." Nancy admitted with a smile. "Well, thank you, Dave, even though it isn't really necessary."
"No problem. I'll see you later, ma'am." Nodding farewell, he opened the ranch house door and left Nancy standing alone outside. The detective shook her head slowly wondering about Dave. She wanted to believe that he was telling her the truth but at the same time she had solved enough cases to know that you couldn't completely trust any suspect even one as seemingly sweet and bashful as Dave. Was he honestly concerned about her or did he have a hidden motive? Was Dave Gregory still keeping a secret from her? Mulling over questions of the case, her boyfriend, and the suspects, Nancy sat down once again on the steps and exhaled loudly. Everything seemed difficult and confusing now but she knew that she would get through all of this. After all, detectives don't ever give up.
