This week is spring break for the college I work at, so I'll be gone the rest of the week (with no internet at home) and I figured I wouldn't leave you guys wanting for more, until I realized where this chapter ends. (PLEASE DON"T HURT ME!) I have a lot of writing ideas to do during Spring Break, so when I return, look for more updates! Please enjoy, read, and review! Thanks everyone!
Chapter 4
After Frank had hung up, Nancy decided it was time to start picking up her messes. That was the hard part about packing up. She always made a bigger mess before she could start getting stuff done.
Talk about bigger messes, she thought with an inward sigh. "Could that really have been Mick after all?" She began throwing stuff back into drawers and on shelves, trying to keep things as organized as possible. As she cleaned, she thought back to the events that had led Mick to propose to her. At the time, she and Ned were still together, even though they had been in the middle of what Ned always called 'wishy-washing dating.'
Nancy finished cleaning and headed downstairs. She flipped on the TV and glanced idly at the clock. It was starting to get darker, but she wasn't sleepy. More like keyed up, she thought.
The television didn't hold much entertainment, and Nancy found herself tapping her foot nervously. She shifted on the couch, but that didn't help much.
The ringing of the phone made her jump.
"Hello!" she practically shouted the word out. She was wired and she wasn't sure why.
"Nancy! Are you alright? Did I interrupt something?" Bess asked, suddenly alert. To catch Nancy off guard was a rare thing for her.
"Sorry, Bess. I guess I'm just a little jumpy, or something." Nancy sat back down on the couch, still unable to find a comfortable position.
Bess grinned to herself on the other line. "Nervous about Frank coming, maybe?"
"Maybe. Or maybe the wedding. Either way, I don't feel like being by myself tonight," Nancy replied. It was the honest truth. With her dad out of town and Hannah out for the evening, it was just too quiet.
"Well stay put. I'm on my way. I've got to squeeze as much girl-time in as I can."
And true to her word, fifteen minutes later, Bess showed up with an overnight bag stuffed to the brim, and a second bag filled with what Nancy assumed was her 'emergency kit.'
Nancy greeted her friend with a hug. "I see you came prepared."
Bess opened up the second bag and pulled out DVDs, a sketch pad and colored pencils, magazines, hair rollers and styling products, jewelry, and a photo album.
Nancy could only shake her head in amazement. "What in the world do you plan on doing tonight?"
Bess winked. "We're going to talk about weddings."
Nancy groaned good-naturedly. "That's all we've been talking about!"
Bess wagged her finger. "But I've got more ideas for decorating and dresses and the cake." She opened the sketchbook and flipped through some pages.
Bess had recently taken up sketching, and her recent sketches included bridesmaid dresses and decorations for the wedding and reception.
The next few hours they spent pouring over the sketches, adding to, removing from, debating, and arguing. Nancy wanted things more on the conservative side, with a bit of flair here and there. Bess was more about being flashy and making a statement.
But in the end, they compromised and Nancy got the conservative with more flair here and there, particularly in her own wedding attire, more so that Nancy would have preferred, but she had to admit that Bess had some great ideas.
Bess reminded Nancy that this would be her only wedding, and she should let loose a little and really enjoy it. "Make it memorable. For you and for Frank."
The evening thus far was uneventful, with no mention of Mick, though that thought was in the back of both of their minds. Bess didn't want to upset Nancy. She was already pretty high strung.
But it was after the third movie and plenty of caffeine that Bess couldn't contain herself any longer.
"So, what are you going to do if that really is Mick? I mean, you two hit it off pretty fast in Europe, and then from the stories George told me about Australia, you two were still acting all lovey-dovey," Bess bubbled, full of renewed energy.
Nancy glared at Bess. "First, we were not lovey-dovey in Australia. Second, Ned and I weren't exactly exclusively dating during the summer we were in Europe. And third, I'm already engaged to Frank, and I'm not going to mess this up," Nancy stated, matter-of-factly.
Bess shrugged. "Girl, don't give me that crap." She took another sip of her drink. "You completely forgot about Ned during the entire summer, and you loved it. You loved every minute of being with Mick. Even during all the sleuthing."
Before Nancy could reply, Bess rushed on. "You are going to keep getting this lecture until you are married, with a ring on your finger, and the marriage certificate is framed and displayed on a wall in the house you will be sharing with your husband."
Suddenly, and without any warning, Bess burst into tears. Nancy, shocked, confused, and wired on caffeine, just sat there, staring open-mouthed at her best friend. "Bess?" she hedged.
Bess launched herself at Nancy. "Oh, Nan! I'm sorry! I'm just so happy and excited for you! You have no idea how long everyone has been waiting for you and Frank to finally get your acts together." Bess sniffled as her sobs quieted.
Nancy felt her own tears slipping down her cheeks and she hugged Bess back. She was ecstatic about marrying Frank, but she herself was starting to doubt her own ability to slip into a more domesticated role that a stable marriage would require.
Nancy closed her eyes. How can I comfort Bess when I can't comfort myself, she thought.
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
Nancy flung the door open the next evening, and practically jumped into the open arms of Frank Hardy.
"Nan!" Frank wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her scent. "I've missed you," he muffled into her hair.
His only response was a muffle and a grunt. Quickly, he released her and she stepped back and sucked in a breath. "Hardy, don't make me take you down!" Nancy said, trying to keep a straight face.
Frank wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Watch out, I'll take you down with me!" he winked.
Nancy punched him lightly on the chest. "You're comebacks are getting worse." She smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him inside.
He gave her a quick hug, but Nancy held him longer, drawing his face closer to hers. "I've missed you, too." For a long, wonderful moment, their lips met.
Finally, with a soft sigh, Nancy pulled away, and looked up into his deep eyes. "Are you hungry?"
Frank glanced at his watch. It was only a little after 6pm, but the dinner his mother had packed seemed days ago. "Actually, I am."
Nancy smiled. "Great! Bess helped me pack a picnic dinner for us. Why don't you put your stuff upstairs and we'll go to the park."
"Bess, huh?" Fran chuckled. "Would that explain the circles under your eyes?"
Nancy smiled ruefully. "Partially. I'll explain on the way."
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
After dinner in the cool night air, they had driven back to Nancy's house. Nancy had checked the answering machine and was now returning a call to her father.
Frank sat on the couch, idly flipping through one of Nancy's bridal magazines. But his mind was on their conversation during dinner.
They had been having trouble deciding where to go for their honeymoon. They both have traveled the world, separately and together, for one mystery or another. Therefore, they decided to go to the place they had been to the least. For Frank, it had been Australia, but as soon as he brought it up, Nancy grew unusually quiet. When he asked what was wrong, she said that it was awfully far away and would be pretty expensive. Even though he wasn't convinced, he dropped the subject. For the time being. So instead, they talked about Joe and his upcoming move.
Now, though, Frank wondered about Nancy's reaction to Australia. But he didn't have time to dwell on that topic as Nancy came up from behind and wrapped an arm around his neck.
"Dad needs a favor. Apparently some new hurdle has popped up in the trial and there is a case file he needs with some contacts. Care to go to his office with me?"
Frank nodded and stood up. "Let's go!"
As she drove, Nancy gave him a few more details.
"Dad is representing Ann Harper, whose husband, Roger, was embezzling money from his company. Apparently, Roger had a partner in the scam, and the powers that be are convinced it was Ann. Dad is trying to prove her innocence, while the police look for either definite proof or the real accomplice."
Frank raised an eyebrow at her. "And you're not helping?"
Nancy gave a defeated sigh. "He doesn't want me to be distracted from the wedding. No one's really sure how long this investigation or trial is going to last."
Frank couldn't help but smile. He knew how much she hated having to sit out of a mystery. "So what's in the file? And why doesn't he have it with him if it's so important?" Carson was even more organized and prepared that Frank, qualities that Frank greatly admired in Mr. Drew.
"Well, from what I understand, all of the evidence currently against Ann is purely circumstantial. However, a so-called witness has come forward, claiming to see Ann making an unusual purchase, right after the company discovered money was missing," she paused as she pulled into a parking lot.
"According to this guy, she was apparently buying a laptop computer, in cash." Nancy shut off the engine and glanced at Frank. "The price of the computer in question was over a couple thousand dollars."
Frank whistled as he stepped out of the car. "That's a lot of cash to keep on hand."
Nancy grabbed Frank's hand as they headed toward the front door of the building. "You're telling me."
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
Just a few blocks away, Mick strode casually down the nearly deserted street. After checking into the hotel, he wandered around River Heights. He had decided he would finally approach Nancy the next morning. He was still getting used to the time difference, and he still felt a little out of it.
He had meandered in and out of shops, drawing curious stares and approving glances from shoppers and the laid-back River Heights residents. River Heights was definitely nothing like Australia, and he couldn't help but be charmed by the relaxed atmosphere of the little town.
Now, after dinner, he was walking back to the hotel. Only a handful of people were out on the street. One couple was laughing as they ducked into a small shop. A small group of teenagers were pushing each other, teasing and laughing. Another couple, walking a few doors ahead of him, were talking quietly and holding hands.
As the woman stopped at a door and stuck a key into the lock, Mick did a double-take. Nancy! His jaw dropped when he saw the man next to her. Even though he'd only met the guy once, Mick would never forget Frank Hardy.
What in the world? Frank, his mind screamed. What happened to the boyfriend?
Mick shook his head. He knew there had been a romantic tension between the two when they were all in Australia, but he figured it was just one of those things that sometimes happened. After all, Nancy had that boyfriend, and he figured she'd turn down anything with Frank for the same. What in the world happened?
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
Nancy flipped through her keychain, and finding the right one, inserted it into the lock, glancing at Frank. "Hopefully, this won't take long."
She jiggled the key a little, and the mechanism finally clicked. She withdrew the key and reached for the doorknob, but the door flew open, surprising her.
A figured, dressed in black with nothing covering his face, shot out of the doorway, shoved Nancy back against the wall, and slammed into Frank, knocking him to the ground, dazed.
Nancy, momentarily stunned, steadied herself. Her detective instincts kicked in and screamed at her feet to pursue the intruder. She took off like a shot down the street, thankful she was wearing her tennis shoes for once.
She chased the man around the corner and through an alleyway, where a gray van waiting. The back door slid open, and the figure jumped in. As he turned around to pull the door shut, Nancy saw his face. His eyes widened, realizing he had been identified. Reacting quickly, the man grabbed Nancy as she barreled forward, grunting as he pulled her into the van, and it sped off.
Meanwhile, Mick recovered from his shock and dashed down the street towards the activity, his muscles pumping, propelling him forward. He caught to Frank just as Frank was heading into the alleyway, having recovered as well.
Unfortunately, by the time both get to the entrance of the alley, they watched, helpless, as Nancy was pulled into the van, it's tires squealing as it took off.
"Frank." It was the first word Mick had spoken in those precious moments, and it was the first second Frank realized there was someone standing next to him.
Frank turned slowly, feeling a wave of nausea start to swell inside, as the realization that Nancy had been kidnapped began to sink in. He squinted in the darkness as the figure next to him. It couldn't possibly be him, could it? His mind swirled over the same events that Nancy and Mick had both been remembering the past few days. No way, he thought. Not now. NO!
Both stared at each other for a few silent moments. Both in shock of the kidnapping, both in shock of seeing each other, and now, both regarding each other with all the civility they could muster.
"Mick?"
NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB
Cruel way to end things, right? When I return from Spring Break on Monday, I promise to have a brand new chapter ready for you guys! Or maybe even two!At this point, there are two different ways I can take this, and I can't figure out which would be best. But rest assured, I will finish this sucker. Again, thank you to all my reviewers! You guys are great, and definitely the motivators I need!
