DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Nancy Drew series or any of the characters. This is based on the original series written by Carolyn Keene who was smart enough to make the whole thing up.

Chapter 04

Nancy strapped herself into the convertible as Ned started down the curved Drew driveway. He lowered the radio a bit and lowered the top.

"Sorry about Bess and George," Nancy said. "They're usually not that weird."

Ned laughed. "Don't worry. You're friends are really cool."

"So, do you know where to eat down here?"

"We're not eating in River Heights."

"We're not?"

"Nope. Just trust me."

Nancy sighed, and leaned back, complying. They talked, getting to know each other better along the trip up to Mapleton. They made each other laugh and their conversation was interesting. He told her he was a student at Emerson college, visiting home for the weekend. She told him that she planned to start there in the fall. Ned parked in front of an old fashioned tea room that was pretty crowded. The hostess sat them near the back of the restaurant. There were two tables near them, but not many more because they were near a wall. Lunch was just as comfortable as the car ride. In a pause between conversation, Nancy overheard the conversation from the table next to them.

"Pretty strange to me that a fire would just start out of nowhere when the place has been empty all summer," an old man was saying, shaking his head dubiously.

"That greedy bastard Raybolt deserved it," one of his friends said vehemently. "That sleaze would steal candy from a baby if he could."

Nancy and Ned caught each other's eye and Ned raised his eyebrows, biting into his burger nonchalantly, but still listening. The third man at the table spoke up quieter and calmer than the other two.

"I'll bet he burned it down himself for the insurance on the place. It must be a small fortune the house alone, let alone all the stuff he jammed in it."

"I wouldn't put it past him," the first man spat.

They didn't say anything else interesting. Ned caught her eye again and they giggled at the cantankerous old men.

"I'm guessing Felix Raybolt isn't too popular around here, huh?" she said sarcastically.

"Oh, you're quick. That old guy had a pretty good idea about the insurance. Sounds like something Raybolt would pull."

Nancy thought over what he'd said, chewing slowly. Ned looked at her worried.

"Did I say something wrong?" he asked.

"Huh? No! Sorry, just thinking about what did start that fire."

"Well, talking about the fire," Ned said with a glint in his eye. He shifted to fit his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled something out. He opened his palm to reveal the object inside. It was a man's signet pinky-ring. It was brushed silver and looked pretty old. There was a "D" engraved on the top of it and a sentence etched around it in a foreign language. Nancy took it, vaguely away of the slight tingle on her fingers where their skin had met. Ned looked her over. "I found it around the back bushes at the Raybolt house. They've got caution tape all around the ruins."

"These symbols look familiar," she murmured, more to herself than out loud. She reached into her bag and pulled out the leather diary.

"What's that?" Ned asked.

"A diary I found at the house."

"Oh, good, because I just thought I was pretty awesome for finding something like a ring. I'm so glad you found something more informative. Great."

Nancy laughed at Ned's sarcasm. "No, it's really good! A ring is better than a diary. It's perfect to identify someone."

"Yeah. So is a journal."

"Not when it's written in Swedish," Nancy said, showing him.

He grinned. "Wow, you're a failure. What would you do without me? So what's the deal with the diary and the insane interest in an old ring?"

Nancy told him about the guy she'd seen running off through the back bushes and how she'd found the diary. He seemed impressed.

"So you think this is his diary? And the ring?"

"I think it might be his too. Ha! It is in Swedish. Look, this is the same word," Nancy said, pointing to one of the words in the diary and one of the words on the ring.

"Pretty clumsy arsonist. Total amateur."

"Tell me about it. Maybe I should give this too the cops."

"Or," Ned said, leaning forward, a devilish grin on his face. "You can keep them and we can have some fun trying to beat them to the punch. Come on, you know you want to."

"More than anything. I like the way you think," Nancy said, mimicking his grin.

Ned paid the check and they headed towards the garage. Vic had fixed her car and it was running perfectly. She backed it out of the garage and parked on the street. She got out and met Ned between their cars.

"Thanks for the ride. And for the ring. And for lunch. And for a great time," Nancy said with a laugh.

Ned looked down at her, taking a step closer. He was very close, so close she could smell him. He smelled really good, not like cologne, but like what she imagined his house would smell like.

"I have a confession to make," he said softly.

"You don't have an aunt in River Heights?"

"No, I do actually. I didn't go down there to see her today, but I do. I didn't go down there just to give you a ride up here, believe it or not." Nancy made a falsely shocked face. "By the way, Bess and George are awesome. I love them." Nancy laughed and then met his gaze, waiting for him to finish. "Look, I like you. I mean, I think I could really like you. You're beautiful and smart and you've got an incredible sense of humor and really… impressive. So, there's this big fancy dinner dance coming up. One of my fraternity brothers is showing off his parent's house while they're out. It's this Thursday and I want you to come with me. Before you answer, let me remind you that you owe me one."

Nancy smiled and glanced down for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "I like you. I mean, I think I could really like you. You're supremely hot and witty and funny and you've got hair so gorgeous it makes me want to cry. So, yeah. I'd love to go to the dance with you."

Ned flashed a broad smile. "I'll pick you up at six-thirty then."

"I'll be waiting."

They stood, a little shy for a moment and then Ned leaned down and kissed her cheek, lingering for a few seconds. Before he pulled back he whispered, "Bye Nancy."

Nancy caught her breath, struggling to speak and finally managed, "Bye."

She made her way to her car, dazed and started her drive home.