CHAPTER TWO

Trixie surprised herself by enjoying her phone call with Dot Murray and a day later she was still wondering how the entire situation came about. More than that, she was wondering how to tell her best friend Honey about her new friend Dot.

New friend? Trixie reflected. Was Dot now her friend?

Yes, she decided. Dot was her friend and Trixie was going to treat her as such, beginning with checking on her new friend's sprained ankle.

"Moms?" Trixie skipped down the staircase towards the kitchen of Crabapple Farm.

"In here!" Helen Belden replied, confirming Trixie's assumption that the delicious smells coming from the kitchen were a result of her mother's baking.

"It smells great in here!" Trixie exclaimed as she entered the room. Her mother was pulling muffins out of the oven and the combined smells of apple and cinnamon made Trixie's mouth water.

"Thank you," Helen replied, placing the muffin tins on the counter to cool. "I baked a double batch and was hoping you wouldn't mind taking some over to the Murrays' house. Poor Dot must be miserable cooped up indoors on a day like this and I'm sure Mrs. Murray hasn't had time to bake anything between unpacking and seeing to Dot's injury."

"Probably," Trixie agreed. "I was just thinking about running over to check on her before Honey gets back from the City, anyway. I'd be happy to take over some of your famous apple muffins."

"I appreciate it," Helen ducked into the pantry, emerging a moment later with a small basket. "Trixie, you mentioning Honey made me wonder what you're planning to tell her about Dot? I know you don't like talking about your feelings for Jim, but I know a lot of your feelings towards Dot in Happy Valley were tangled up in your feelings for him. It seems like you and Dot made some strides towards friendship yesterday, and I'd hate to see some of those old feelings resurface."

"I understand," Trixie said after a moment. "I've actually thought about this a lot since yesterday and I realize I was jealous, plain and simple. Honey's my best friend and I know I can admit that to her. I'm hoping the rest of the Bobwhites was to be friends with Dot, as well. I think she and Di will really like each other."

"And Jim?" Helen asked quietly.

"I think I'll be okay," Trixie shrugged. "I like Jim and I think he likes me, but if he likes someone else more, there's not really anything I can do about it, is there? And I'd never want to risk anything happening to the Bobwhites, so I have to be his friend no matter what."

"For the record, I don't think he likes anyone else more," Helen chuckled, placing the last of the muffins into the basked. "Okay, there we go – these are ready for whenever you head to the Murrays' house."

"Thanks, Moms," Trixie smiled. "I promised to take Bobby up to Manor House Stables to see the new baby, so I'm going to do that now and then I'll run over to the Murrays'. Is that okay?"

Helen's response was interrupted by the boy himself, running into the kitchen at top speed.

"Trixie! You promised to take me to see the new horse!"

"I was just getting ready to ask you if you were ready to go," Trixie caught Bobby by the shoulders as he crashed into her. "Slow down. You don't have to gallop like a horse in the kitchen."

"I'm a racehorse!" Bobby exclaimed.

"Well, go get your horseshoes on so you can go see the other horses, racehorse," Helen said mildly, the antics of her youngest nothing new to anyone in the house.

"He's so little!" Bobby whispered a little while later, staring through the stall door at the newborn horse. "I didn't know horses were ever that small."

"He'll grow quickly," Regan told him quietly, pleased with how well the youngster was following his instructions on remaining quiet and not startling the new mama and baby. "Pretty soon he'll be much, much taller than you."

"How soon?" Bobby demanded in a slightly louder whisper.

"Well," as Regan began explaining horse growth to an enraptured Bobby, Trixie tuned them out. She was still mulling over the Dot situation, surprised by how quickly her feelings about the girl had changed.

But then, you've always known deep down that you were being a cat, she reflected. Dot didn't do anything wrong, and it was just your insecurities about not being as glamorous or poised as her or Honey or Di that made you react that way.

"Bobby, we need to get back home," she told him a few minutes later. "Lady and the new baby need to rest, and I need to stop by the Murrays' house."

"How is Dot doing?" Regan asked, recalling her injury the day before.

"She was okay when I talked to her last night," Trixie told him. "Her ankle is definitely sprained, and she'll be on crutches for a few weeks, but overall, she's okay. It could have been worse."

"It could have been much worse if you weren't in the right place at the right time," Regan agreed.

"I didn't mean that," Trixie said quickly. "I mean she could have broken her ankle instead of just a sprain."

"That, too," Regan smiled at her. "Well, when you see her, give her my best. I'm glad she's okay."

"Why, hello, Trixie!" Mrs. Murray smiled as she opened the front door. "How nice of you to stop by! Dottie will be so pleased to have company. It hasn't even been a full day since she was injured and she's already going a bit stir-crazy."

"I can understand that," Trixie followed the friendly woman through the front hall and into the kitchen of the two-story farmhouse. "I've never been a good patient and definitely not when I have to stay off my feet."

"That's the worst part," Dot's voice came from beyond the kitchen, which Trixie noticed opened into a spacious family room. Dot was on the couch, her ankle propped on a footstool and a magazine in her lap. "I'm so glad you came over."

"Moms sent her famous apple muffins," Trixie held up the basket in her hand. "They won't cure your ankle, but they'll definitely make you feel better."

"How thoughtful!" Mrs. Murray took the basket and placed it on the counter. "Your mother is so kind. Your Uncle Andy told us your parents would be great neighbors and he was right. Your father has been so helpful with transferring our banking and such, and your mother is just the kindest person ever. She invited me to come to the next garden club meeting with her!" As she spoke, she bustled around the kitchen, pulling small plates out for muffins, and pouring glasses of milk. Within a few moments, Trixie found herself sitting by Dot on the couch, muffin and milk in hand.

"I have to sort through some laundry," Mrs. Murray said as she headed for the basement. "You girls have a nice visit. Trixie, if I don't see you before you leave, please thank your mother for us."

"I will," Trixie replied. "It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Murray."

"You, too, Trixie!"

As the basement door closed behind her mother, Dot laughed lightly.

"She's a whirlwind," she nodded towards the door. "But she means well."

"She seems really nice," Trixie shrugged.

"She is." Dot replied. "I'm luckier than a lot of kids, I know that. Both my parents are great, actually. I'm an only child, so I know I'm a little spoiled, but my parents are genuinely cool. I'm thankful for them."

"Some days I'd love to be an only child," Trixie laughed. "You're welcome to borrow my brothers any time you feel a little lonely."

"You're lucky to have siblings," Dot told her seriously. "All you Bobwhites are lucky to have siblings and each other. Not very many people have that kind of family around them."

"That's true," Trixie agreed. "Speaking of which, Honey and Jim will be back from the City later today."

"Oh," Dot's face fell slightly. "I guess you'll be pretty busy, then."

"Well, we're always pretty busy around here," Trixie realized quickly what was bothering Dot. "But that's not what I meant. Well, not totally what I meant, if you mean what I think you mean about what I meant."

"What?" Dot laughed. "I didn't understand a word you just said."

"Neither did I, and I'm the one who said it!" Trixie joined in her laughter. "What I meant to say was, yes, we're always busy around here, but I'm hoping you'll join us in the busyness. I realize you and I didn't get off on the best foot, but I hope we are going to be real friends. Not just you and I, but I hope you'll be real friends with all the Bobwhites. I mentioned Honey and Jim coming home today because I wanted to make certain you'd be up to a visit from Honey and probably Di this week, too."

"Oh, yeah," Dot smiled. "I'd like that a lot. I'm bored out of my mind; in case my mom didn't make that clear. Friends are always welcome."

"Great," Trixie returned Dot's smile. "Now, new friend, tell me about you."

Trixie spent a pleasant hour or so getting to know Dot, and only left once she realized she needed to get home for lunch before meeting Honey. She promised to stop by again the next day and left with a light step and happy heart. While she was still surprised at how quickly her friendship with Dot was growing, she was happy that she had gotten a second chance to know the girl. She was still a little worried about what would happen when Jim and Dot met again, but she reassured herself that everything would be all right.

After a delicious lunch of Crabapple Specials, Trixie was reading a Lucy Radcliffe novel when the phone rang.

"Trixie?" her mother stood in the doorway to her room. "That was Honey, letting you know that they're home."

"Thanks, Moms," Trixie placed a bookmark in her book and set it down. "Is it okay if I run up there for a while?"

"Yes, just be home in time for dinner. I'm sure you and Honey have a lot to talk about."

"You're the best!" Trixie jumped up to find her shoes.

Minutes later, she was emerging from the trail between the two houses, waving at Honey who was in the driveway.

"Hi!" Honey waved back. "Did you see the new baby yet? Isn't he adorable?"

"I was there when he was born!" Trixie laughed. "It was the most amazing thing ever! Yes, he's the cutest thing I've ever seen."

"You're so lucky," Honey said as the two girls fell into step together towards the Manor House. "I was hoping Lady would hold out until we got home, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. It was lucky timing that you happened to be there when she went into labor."

"Well, not exactly," Trixie hedged. "I mean, yes, it was lucky for me, but not so lucky because I was at the stables for a while yesterday."

"Yes, I know," Honey looked confused. "You were helping exercise the horses."

"I mean I was there longer than that," Trixie told her as they walked up the stairs towards Honey's room. "Something happened when I was exercising Strawberry yesterday morning."

"What happened?" Jim stepped out from his room as they reached the top of the stairs. "Hey, Trix."

"Hi," Trixie said happily. "I wondered where you were."

"You've found me," Jim smiled at his special girl. "But what happened when you exercised Strawberry yesterday?"

He followed the girls to Honey's room, where they all sat – Trixie and Honey on her bed and Jim in her desk chair.

"Well," Trixie began. "I took Strawberry through the preserve towards the bluffs. It was a beautiful day and we sat for a bit once we got there, enjoying the sunshine. All the sudden, I heard some sounds nearby. A few moments later, someone called for help. Strawberry and I went to investigate-."

"Of course, you did," Jim interrupted with a smile.

"As I was saying," Trixie glared at him. "Strawberry and I went to investigate. As I got closer, I could tell it was a girl's voice I was hearing. I told her to keep talking so I could find her. She said she fell and hurt her ankle, so she couldn't walk. Finally, I came around some bushes and found…"

"Who?!" Honey demanded.

"Dot Murray," Trixie replied.

"Dot Murray?!" Honey exclaimed. "What is she doing here?"

"Her family moved here," Trixie quickly explained the rest of the story, ending with, "Anyway, I checked on her today and she's doing okay, but bored. I promised to go back over there tomorrow, and I thought maybe you'd join me? We can see if Di is available, too."

"Let me make certain I understand this," Honey began slowly. "You want to visit Dot Murray? Willingly?"

Trixie flushed.

"I was wrong about her," she explained. "She's actually really nice. I just jumped to conclusions about her because, well…"

"I know," Honey nodded. "Well, I'm free tomorrow, so I'll be happy to tag along. We can call Di in a bit and see if she can join us as well."

"Okay," Trixie glanced over at Jim, uncertain about what she'd see. While they still weren't officially dating, they did have an understanding. Would he be disappointed in her jealousy? Or would he be more eager to renew his friendship with Dot to care?

Jim was smiling at her.

"Well, I've got a phone call with the Camp tomorrow," he told her, referring to the summer camp he, Brian, Mart, and Dan would be working at in July. "Counselor orientation call. But maybe tomorrow evening the Bobwhites can have a cookout at the lake."

"I'd like that," Trixie returned his smile. "It's been a while."