CHAPTER 2

The dark-haired teenage boy tossed the basketball up in the air watching it sail towards the net. A huge grin was spread across his face, but the grin turned to disbelief when a dark-haired man reached up and blocked the ball from making its goal. The man bounced the ball a few times before throwing it into the basket.

"Oh Tyler…I can't believe you got slaughtered by Mr. H!"

Tyler glared at his friend before turning to face Mr. H., giving him a small smile. "You won fair and square Mr. H. I'll turn in my History report tomorrow."

Frank Hardy returned the smile, placing his hand on Tyler's shoulder.

"You played a good game."

Tyler stood taller, his chest expanding with pride. He really liked Mr. Hardy…almost all of the students who took his class did. He wasn't like the other teachers. Mr. Hardy really cared about his students and he didn't make you feel stupid if you didn't understand the lesson. Plus he made history interesting. Tyler really didn't mind losing the game; he was going to do the homework anyway but he couldn't let his friends know that.

"Uh-oh," said Wayne, Tyler's friend. "Here comes the old ball and chain!"

.. ..

As Frank was putting his suit jacket back on he turned and smiled when he saw who was walking towards him. A tall, pretty sandy-haired woman waved at him. Her long wavy hair fell down past her shoulders, and she wore a floral printed dress the skirt swung softly against her knees.

Mackenzie Campbell-Hardy was the music teacher at Bayport High. She had started teaching at the school a year before Frank. She was also a popular teacher with the students. Most of the staff and a few students, mostly the seniors, called her Mac. When Frank first started teaching he heard everyone speaking highly of Mac and was curious to meet 'him'. He finally did at the first teacher conference. He couldn't believe it when he was introduced to the music teacher. Frank felt an instant attraction to Miss Campbell and when he found out that she was fairly new to Bayport, offered to be her guide to the city.

Frank was surprised at the feelings he had for Mackenzie. After he and Callie had gone their separate ways Frank didn't think he would feel this way for another person. It wasn't as if he and Callie had a bad break up. They had just drifted apart. Once he and Joe had accepted the job with the Justice Department they had been whisked off to several out-of-state and sometimes out-of- country missions. Although Frank had tried to keep in touch with Callie, their last assignment had kept them out of the country for almost three months.

Frank was glad that Callie had found happiness, even if it wasn't with him as they once both thought. Frank felt a sudden sadness. Sometimes he felt that he and Joe would drift so far apart they would never speak to each other again. He and Joe kept in touch, emailing and texting each other as much as possible. But sometimes months would go by before Frank would hear from Joe. Lately their conversations had become stilted and awkward. Frank thought it was due to Joe feeling guilty that he missed Frank's wedding. He understood why Joe couldn't make it, he was on a case. How many times had their father missed an important event due to being away on a case, so deep undercover that he couldn't chance seeing his family.

Tyler and Wayne sketched a wave to Frank and Mackenzie, and picked up their book bags to head home.

"Well, who won?" Mackenzie gently ran her fingers through Frank's hair then gave him a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I did, though Tyler gave me a run for my money." Frank hugged his wife tightly.

"So he's going to do his assignment?"

"I think he was going to anyway but he had to save face with his friends. Tyler's a good kid, he's just hanging around with the wrong crowd."

Mackenzie had to agree; she had Tyler in her music class. A lot of students took her class thinking it was an easy grade. Most students thought you just listened to different types of music. Mrs. Hardy did expose them to an eclectic array of musical styles but she also taught them about different composers throughout the century.

"Don't forget we were invited to dinner at your parents' house," Mackenzie reminded Frank.

"Oh yeah…I think they have news about Aunt Gertrude." Frank chuckled as he thought about his aunt. Now seventy years old, she was still feisty as ever.

"I bet she's having a lot of fun in Boca Raton!"

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Later that evening Frank and Mackenzie arrived at Fenton and Laura's home. Frank still had his old house key and used it to let them inside – he knew his parents wouldn't mind.

"Mom, Dad, it's your favorite older son and his beautiful wife."

"I have to agree that you have a beautiful wife but I'm not so sure about you being my favorite older son," chuckled Fenton as he gave Mackenzie a hug.

Frank rolled his eyes in mock annoyance as he went to hug his father. Fenton put his arms around Frank and Mackenzie as he led them into the living room. Frank took a deep breath, taking in the delicious aroma drifting out from the kitchen.

"I'm going to see if Laura needs any help," said Mackenzie, playfully ruffling Fenton's hair as she left.

Frank laughed; Joe was the only other person who could get away with that.

"Have you heard from your brother?" "Have you heard from Joe?" Frank and Fenton asked in unison, causing them both to laugh at the irony.

"Well, I think that answers our question," said Fenton.

"I guess so. The last time I talked with him he told me that he was going to be undercover and that was about a month ago."

"Same here…has Vanessa heard from him?"

"No, I haven't heard from her in a few days. I've been meaning to call her." Frank looked contrite.

"I'll give Hammond a call. He'll at least let me know that Joe is okay."

"How long do I have to wait for my son to tell me hello?" asked Laura, her arms crossed as she stood in the kitchen doorway.

Despite the angry expression on her face, Frank saw a mischievous twinkle in her eyes."Hi Mom!" He went to hug his mother.

"Hello sweetie…I hope you're hungry. Dinner's ready," Laura announced.

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"What's the latest news on Aunt Gertrude?" asked Frank as he cut into his Cornish hen.

Gertrude Hardy was Fenton's older sister, who lived with the family for several months out of the year. She was currently in Florida participating in a senior golf tournament.

"At the moment she is in second place but that could change by tomorrow. Seems she and another player are neck and neck in the competition," replied Fenton with glee.

"You mean there's someone out there who could actually beat Aunt Gertrude?!" Frank placed his hand over his chest as if in shock.

"Frank, behave yourself," chided Mackenzie, playfully hitting Frank's arm.

"Don't count your aunt out just yet. You know how competitive she is!" laughed Laura.

"Is that where Joe gets his competitive streak from?" asked Frank with a smile.

"Talk about calling the kettle black." Laura looked sternly at her son.

"Okay, okay but you have to admit I'm not as bad as Joe!"

"I don't know about that," Laura teased.

*endofchapter*

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.