References to previous stories in the Beginnings series.
Of Football, Chocolate, and Proposals
"Finally," Frank sighed. He smiled at Nancy who sat across from him. "I thought we'd never have some time together."
The couple were seated at River Heights' most expensive restaurant, enjoying their time alone together for the first time since Frank arrived for his visit. It was also the first time in a while where the two could actually dress up for the evening. Frank wore a nice suit and tie while Nancy blew him away with an eye-dropping red dress that hugged her figure. It came to just above her knees but it still wowed him.
"I know," Nancy said sheepishly. "Thank Mom for this. If it were up to Dad, we would never have been able to leave the house together let alone have dinner. It's like he forgot what century we're in. I'm sorry that we haven't had the chance to be alone since you got here."
"It's all right," he waved dismissively. "I get it. I'm just glad that your mom stepped in. I was getting a little anxious. I want you all to myself."
"In good time, Frank," she smiled then looked down at the menu. She'd been to the restaurant before but it was always changing its menu to go with the season. At that moment, she didn't know what she wanted more: the steak, the salmon, or the chicken.
"Do you know what you want?" Frank asked interrupting her thoughts.
"Hmm. What sounds better to you steak, salmon, or chicken?"
"What, no salad?" he chuckled, shaking his head.
"Meh," she shrugged, "I only get salads when I'm with Bess but I'm more of a meat and potato kind of girl. Something that's more filling than rabbit food."
"You still surprise me, Nan."
"I surprise you? And here I thought I was an open book. You should know me by now, Frank Hardy. Even Joe does, especially after the football incident a few years ago."
"I wouldn't really call that an 'incident.' Just Joe being a total idiot."
"He was sweet about it though."
"Hardly."
Nearly two years before…
"Oh, come on!" Joe yelled at the TV. "That was blatant pass interference!"
"Man, you need to get your eyes checked, Joe," Frank laughed, sitting next to him on the couch. "That was not pass interference."
"I do not need my eyes checked, bro," his brother scoffed. "He was all over him." The two watched the replay and the subsequent commentary. "See? Pass interference."
"No, I don't see, Joe. Even the commentators say so."
"They would since they're utterly biased, just like you."
The two brothers sat in the Drew's den, the big screen TV tuned into a college football game. They had just finished a case in Chicago with Nancy and decided to stay an extra few days before heading home. It was October and the air outside was getting cooler. The leaves on the trees were changing color bringing in a crisp, damp smell that made the season all the better. The two were warm though thanks to the fire blazing in the fireplace across the room.
"You're as bad as Nancy, Joe," Hannah laughed. She walked into the room carrying a stack of pizza boxes, fresh from delivery. "Get 'em while they're hot."
"Oh, pizza!" the younger Hardy cried, climbing over the couch. Hannah scolded him as she left the room with Frank laughing as he got up. "What did she mean by that about Nancy anyway?"
"You don't know?" Carson asked. He held a plate for his pizza though he had to wait for Joe to pile his own plate.
"Know what?"
"That she's a huge football fan."
"You didn't tell me that!" the younger Hardy nudged his brother, giving him an accusing stare. Frank looked just as shocked as Joe.
"I…I didn't know either," he shook his head. "Nancy never told me."
"Really?" the lawyer laughed. "I would think by now that the two of you would know that given that you all spend so much time together. Oh, well. Now you know."
Carson shrugged then plopped himself into the leather chair, immediately propping his feet on the matching ottoman. "Who's playing anyway?"
"Some nobody team versus Florida," Frank answered. He sat back down on the couch, his plate of food in one hand and a soda in the other.
"Yeah, Frank insisted we watch the game," Joe grumbled.
"Hey, I like Florida!"
"Yeah and no one's like Florida since Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer."
"Tebow is the GOAT, Joe," Frank stated. "Don't mock Tebow."
"I'm not mocking Tebow but he's definitely not the GOAT."
"Oh?" Carson asked quirking an eyebrow. "And who is?"
"Tom Brady."
"I'll give you that."
"Joe, Brady didn't even win the Heisman," Frank pointed out, annoyed. "Tebow did. First sophomore to win too. Hence, the GOAT."
"Just because Tebow won the Heisman doesn't make him the GOAT, Frank," Joe retorted. "He didn't do well in the NFL but look at Brady: seven Super Bowl wins, MVP, stats out the yin-yang. Need I say more? The one good thing about Tebow is that he's a good guy off the field. He's done a lot for charity. I will give him that."
"Still the GOAT in college ball." Frank glanced over at Carson, his face crinkled in confusion. "Where is Nancy anyway? I thought she'd be here if she's such a fan."
"Bess wanted to do a little shopping," the man answered with a sigh. "A few last-minute things before she goes on a date tonight…or something like that. I really hate being a girl-dad sometimes. Anyway, Nancy made her promise to be back here before the next game starts."
"Well, it is almost 320," Joe announced, looking at the clock on the mantle. "She should be here soon, right?"
"This game's not over yet though!" Frank cried. "I want to see the outcome!"
"Frank, the game's been over since the second quarter," his brother rolled his eyes. "I don't think the other team is going to make up three or four touchdowns in five minutes of game play. Besides Florida is playing like crap against a mediocre team."
"Hey, Florida is still good."
"Only to get their asses handed to them by the big boys of the SEC," Joe countered. "Why do you even like the SEC? We live in New York."
"True but they're the best."
"The best money can buy," Carson muttered. He stared at the TV, his eyes glazed over in boredom.
"What game is Nancy watching anyway, Mr. Drew?" the younger Hardy asked.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "Whatever game is on, I guess."
"Dad!" cried a voice from the kitchen. They heard the back door slam a moment later.
"We're in here, Nancy," Carson called, quickly getting out of his chair.
"There you are," Nancy huffed rushing into the room. She stopped to take off a boot, hopping on one foot before repeating with the other. "Did I miss kickoff?"
"No, sweetheart," he replied cheerfully. "The boys were just finishing off the Florida game. How was shopping?"
"Annoying but productive, I guess." Nancy pulled off her brown, leather moto jacket and draped it over the back of the couch. "Bess insisted on going to every single store to find something for tonight only to go back to the first store we went to. I wanted to kill her for that."
"Oh, no you don't!" Hannah scolded from the other room. "Before you even put a toe on that couch, you take your junk upstairs!"
"But, Hannah, the game's going to start!"
"Get!"
Nancy growled in frustration before grabbing her boots, jacket, and bags and left the room. Frank, Joe, and Carson could still hear her stomping and complaining as she went up the stairs.
"I told you," Carson nodded seeing the stunned looks on the Hardys' faces. "She really gets into it. I'm sure if she had a sibling, the two would be watching a game together and yelling at the TV."
"There," Nancy sighed walking back into the den. She grabbed a plate of pizza then wedged herself between Frank and Joe on the couch. "Where's the remote?" she asked looking around. She glanced at the TV to see the end of the Florida game. "Geez, who still watches Florida?"
Frank scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed while Joe hid a snicker behind his hand. Oblivious to the boys' reactions, Nancy changed the channel that showed the game she wanted. Once it was set up, she folded her legs under her and comfortable with her pizza in her hands.
"Your dad says you're a fan," Joe cautiously asked. "That true?"
"Well, yeah," she shrugged, her mouth filled with pizza. "I'll watch any game but I really like the Big Ten. We're in the mid-west so it's a given though I do like watching the occasional MAC game if there's one on."
"Do you watch the NFL?"
"Ha! That's a laugh," Nancy shook her head. She took a drink of her soda before continuing. "They're in it for the money, not the game. Though today's standards of college football, NILs and the transfer portal have completely destroyed college ball." She took a bite out of her pizza as the two brothers gaped at her in awe. "The refs don't help either and the NCAA's a joke. The SEC has too much power over both the NCAA and the television affiliates but no one says anything."
"Marry me," Joe blurted out.
Carson sputtered, spitting out his drink while Frank glared at his brother. Nancy laughed at their reactions though she continued to eat her pizza.
"Ugh," he father scoffed looking down at his wet pants. "Thanks, Joe."
"Sorry, Mr. Drew," Joe said apologetically.
"No, that was my fault," he replied getting up from the chair. "It's what I get for having a daughter. I'm going to go change then get something a little heavier to drink…like vodka."
The moment Carson was gone, Frank whacked his brother on the arm. "What the hell was that, Joe?" he demanded, his eyes blazing. "We're guests here. Do you want us to get kicked out?"
"Yeah, but I'm not the one who…" Joe stopped when Frank shook his head.
"You two do realize that I can hear you, right?" Nancy asked leaning back in the couch. Her body cut in between them so the brothers had no choice but to go back to their respective corners of the couch. "As much as I appreciate the offer, Joe, I must respectfully decline. You're sweet but not my type. Besides, I may have someone else you don't know about."
"You do?" the brothers mumbled together.
"Yeah," she simpered, taking a bite out of her pizza. "Hot and ready at any time."
The color drained from Frank's face as he watched her take another bite. Joe hid a smile behind his hand seeing his brother's reaction.
"That…that's great Nancy," Frank croaked, trying to regain his composure. "I…I didn't know you had anyone else after Parker."
Nancy looked over at him, a sweet smile forming on her face. She suddenly burst out laughing. "Oh, Frank. You really think I have a boyfriend?" She held up a slice of pizza. "It's pizza! Parker was my last boyfriend, remember?"
"Yeah," he nodded a little put off, "sure."
"I'm sorry, Frank," Nancy patted his hand. "I was just having some fun. Oh! I almost forgot!" She scrambled off the couch and rushed out of the room leaving the brothers behind to ponder.
Joe snickered. "Well, at least the pizza is better looking, Frank."
"Thanks, Joe," his brother snarled. "Appreciate it."
"You'll get there, bro," he shrugged. "According to Bess, Nancy talks a lot about you. And I mean a lot."
"No, she doesn't," Frank shook his head. "There's no way. Besides, did you hear what she just said?"
"Yeah, I did. It's more like giving you the hint but you're too daft to realize it. And why wouldn't she want to be with you? I mean, you saved her life, what? Twice now? Plus she broke up with Parker last year. What are you waiting for?"
"It's…complicated."
"Horseshit," Joe scoffed. "You like her…and don't tell me you don't. She obviously likes you or she wouldn't have joked with you just now. Maybe we should invite her to go with us to that conference in December. Have a little bit of alone time…get to know each other…"
"Joe, I'm going to hurt you."
"Why? Because I'm telling the truth?" The younger Hardy laughed, his voice echoing in the room. "You know good and well that you would jump at the chance with Nancy. She's giving you an opening. Take it."
"I can't believe I forgot these!" Nancy cried, strolling back into the room. She had a bag in her hand but stopped when she felt the tension between the brothers. "Did I interrupt something?"
"Oh, no, Nan," Joe waved his hand dismissively. "We're good!"
Although he didn't say anything, Frank smiled and nodded awkwardly. Nancy gave both of them a questioning look though she didn't inquire more.
"What do you have there?" Frank asked changing the subject.
"Oh, right," she nodded digging into the bag. "I saw them and thought we'd enjoy them while watching the game."
Nancy pulled out a smaller plastic bag filled with what looked like small nuggets covered in chocolate. "They're the only buckeyes I like," she grinned. Nancy handed one to each brother then popped one into her mouth.
"What are they?" Joe asked scrunching his face as he studied the nugget.
"You've never heard of a buckeye?"
"Yeah, the nut, right?"
"Correct but these aren't nuts," she smirked. "They're chocolate covered peanut butter balls that look like the real thing. Just eat one. You'll love it."
"Mmm," Frank nodded, a smile forming. "These are good! Where'd you get them?"
"Oh, a store in town that specializes in treats and candies," Nancy shrugged. "Next time you guys come to visit, I'll take you there. They have some really good treats. I just thought these would be appropriate since we're watching football."
"And how exactly did you get into football anyway, Nancy?" Joe inquired, his mouth full of peanut butter.
"An old boyfriend," she answered nonchalantly. Frank choked on his buckeye, a coughing fit ensuing. "Not Parker, of course. This was years ago. He was a big Ohio State fan though it's the one team I hate now. It was a bad breakup."
"What team do you follow then?"
"I like Illinois, of course, though I'm not a fan of Bielema. He's kind of a jerk. Other than that, any Big Ten besides Ohio."
"Okay," Joe nodded, thinking for a moment. "I have a wager for you then."
"All right, I'll bite."
"Joe…" Frank warned.
"It's all good, Frank," his brother said reassuringly.
"What do you have in mind?" Nancy lightly asked.
"The next time Illinois plays say… Ohio State. If Ohio wins, you have to acknowledge their greatness."
"You mean pull an Eddie George?"
"Damn, Frank," Joe made a noise, glancing at his brother. "I swear, if you don't, I will!"
"You will what?" Nancy asked confused.
"It's nothing, Nancy," Frank grumbled glaring at him. "Joe's just being an idiot."
"Okay," she said warily. "And if Illinois wins."
The younger Hardy laughed though he soon composed himself. "If, in the remote chance, that happens, it's your choice."
"You sure about that?"
"Absolutely. You hate Ohio so much there's no way you could turn me down. What's to lose?"
"My dignity."
"True but if you truly believe it, take it…or are you chicken?"
Nancy pursed her lips, giving him a stern look. "You're on."
"I still can't believe he did his punishment with a smile," Frank laughed. He took a bite of his steak and chewed, watching Nancy eat her salmon.
"I can't believe Illinois actually won!" she cried back. "It was the greatest moment in football history. God, I wish they were like that again."
Frank agreed though he thought about the conversation the three of them had that day. Ever since then he wondered about Nancy.
"What's on your mind?" she asked in between bites. Nancy noticed the distant look and wondered if Frank was okay.
"Huh?" He looked up as if noticing her for the first time, then blinked. "Oh, its nothing. Just a thought."
Nancy placed her fork on the plate and studied him for a moment. "Something wrong?"
"No," Frank shook his head. "I…I was just wondering what you were thinking back then."
"What do you mean?"
"Joe asking you that question…"
"Oh…" Nancy thought for a moment then giggled, holding her hand over her mouth. "Frank, were you…jealous?"
"No, no, no. I…I was just wondering if you considered it."
"You actually think I'd say 'yes' to Joe?"
"Uh, not really, no," Frank said nervously, his face burning. He looked up to see her arching her eyebrow at him. "Okay, yes, I was. I…I didn't have the guts to ask you out back then. He was pestering."
"Is that what he meant 'if you don't, I will?' Oh, now I get it! That's funny."
"He was just playing around to get a rise out of me."
"He obviously did if you're still pondering over it after all this time."
"You're not really helping me feel better, Nan. I just wanted to know what you were thinking back then."
"Oh," Nancy went back to her food and chewed slowly, deep in thought.
"Well?"
She held up her finger as she finished her bite then took a sip of her wine. "I thought it was adorable."
"And?"
"And I would never have said 'yes,'" Nancy said nonchalantly. "I told you both he wasn't my type."
"And your type is?"
"I think it's obvious." She stared at him and waited. When Frank didn't say anything, staring blankly at her, Nancy sighed. "Parker was tall, dark, and handsome. You're the same. Get it?"
"Oh, right."
She leaned forward, her eyes aglow. "To be honest, I was waiting for you to ask me, Frank. It's why I was saying all those things. But when you didn't say anything, I thought you weren't really into me in that way."
"You know that's not true."
"Back then I didn't," Nancy pointed out, leaning back. "I was mad at you after that. It's part of the reason why I almost didn't go to upstate New York with you, Bess, and Joe. Plus the fact that I was having those horrible nightmares trying to scare me off."
Frank took her hand and brought it to his lips. "I'm sorry it took me so long to pursue you. I…I thought it would be best to get to know you before I…"
"I would have said 'yes,' Frank," she interrupted him, "if you asked me then. I've loved you ever since you ran into me in Florida."
"Then why Parker?"
"Well, I didn't realize my feelings for you right away. He was the first one who asked. It was over before it even started though. His mother was the one who pushed me out of that relationship."
Frank shivered. "That woman…and we thought Davenport was bad."
"Yeah, Patricia was definitely a piece of work."
"To think that all it took to light a fire under my ass was a haunted house," he nervously laughed. "I'm wondering if we should ever go back there."
"Why not?" Nancy asked. "I mean, Daniel did say that he hasn't really seen anything strange going on in the house. I wouldn't mind going there just to see what he's done with the place."
"More power to you, Nan."
The two got quiet and continued to eat until the waiter brought them their check. Just as Nancy reached for the check, Frank snatched the bill away. He playfully wiggled his eyebrows at her as she slouched in her chair, annoyed.
"Ready?" he asked once the bill was paid.
Moments later the two were walking away from the restaurant, heading toward the parking lot when Nancy stopped him.
"What is it?" he asked concerned.
"Let's go for a walk," she stated with a smile. "There's a place I want to show you."
"Okay," Frank said warily. Nancy took his hand and guided him across the street. They soon came to a small store that was still open, its lights blazing bright in the warm, summer evening.
"What's this place?" Frank asked confused.
"Sweets and Treats," she announced, pushing the door open. "It's the place I told you about years ago."
The smell of chocolate permeated Frank's senses the moment he set foot inside the small store. Glass cases lined around the room, displaying various types of chocolate candies and fudge. Licorice and fruity candy sat in bowls on wooden shelves along the wall, high enough to keep tiny hands from disturbing the candy. Frank licked his lips when he saw his favorite candies on display from chocolate-covered raisins to chocolate-covered pretzels. He was in heaven and everything his hearts desire was in that room, including Nancy.
A portly woman came to the front from behind a curtain, a smile etched on her kind face. "Nancy, dear," the woman replied. "So good to see you again. Who's this handsome young man with you?"
"This is Frank, Mrs. Carver," Nancy introduced him with a grin. "It's his first time here. He's tried some of your buckeyes though. You wouldn't happen to have those in yet, would you?"
"It's nice to meet you, Frank," Mrs. Carver said jovially giving Nancy a wink. "Though I'm sorry but I don't have the buckeyes yet. They're not in 'season,' you know."
"It was just wishful thinking," the young woman sighed. "What do you suggest?"
Ten minutes later, the young couple strolled down the street with bags filled with goodies. Nancy pulled out a strawberry crème bon-bon from her bag and popped it into her mouth, savoring the morsel slowly.
"Good?" Frank smirked watching her. Nancy nodded as she chewed then pulled out another one. She held it up to his mouth and he took a bite. The crème was rich and gooey, coating his throat with its goodness. "Damn, that's good."
"Oh, yeah," she finally said. "I told you it was worth it." She closed her bag and took hold of his hand. "I don't want to go back home right now."
"Me neither," he mumbled still taking in the bon-bon. "Do we really have to?"
"Eventually," Nancy sighed. "Or we'll face the wrath of Dad."
"Does he not like me or something?"
"Oh, no, it's not that. I think it's because I'm his only daughter. It's only been the two of us since Mom 'died' and we have a special bond. It might take him a little while to get used to the idea of me being…"
"Right," Frank nodded, blushing.
The two walked through the park hand-in-hand. Other people took advantage of the nice evening by sitting on benches or running. There were a few teenagers playing football in the open field next to them. None of it mattered to Nancy or Frank. All that they cared about was the fact that they were alone with no one to interrupt them.
Frank bit his lip as he thought about what he wanted to say to her. He'd already told Nancy she was beautiful that evening but he knew there was more for him to tell her. He was just having a hard time figuring out the right words.
They were just about to Nancy's Mustang when he stopped her, his hand gripping hers. Frank gazed into her bright blue eyes and was lost, the words gone as well. Nancy smiled cautiously, wondering what he was thinking.
"Frank, you okay?" she asked a moment later.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he lied. "It's nothing. Ready to go home?"
"Not until you tell me what's on your mind."
Frank looked down at the ground, unsure of how he should approach what he was about to say. He knew she'd never let it go until he did say something so it meant he couldn't keep it from her anymore.
"Are...are you ready?" Frank finally asked.
"For what?"
"Nevermind," he shook his head. "It was a dumb question."
"Asking something is not always dumb. Just depends on what it is."
"I…what do you think about us…getting married."
The color drained from Nancy's face. "Are you actually asking me to marry you?"
"No. I mean, yes. Wait, no. Crap. I'm screwing this up. It's not what I was asking."
"Then what are you asking."
Frank sighed, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. He was screwing up what he had wanted to say to her. "No wonder Joe always laughed at me about girls," he mumbled. Nancy gave him a curious look. Frank took a deep breath and looked at her. "I wanted to know what your thoughts were on us getting married...eventually."
"Oh," she nodded. Nancy seemed disappointed but really relieved. "Honestly, Frank, I don't know. We've known each other for a while, you saved my life, I saved yours. But I'm not sure if we really know what we have. I…I want to be with you…"
"But…"
"No buts," she shook her head. "I need some time though. Please, just give me that. I can tell you what I do want if we eventually intend to get married."
"And what's that?"
"You," Nancy smiled. She moved closer to him. "I don't want a big ceremony and definitely no gown. I just want you and me. It might upset Dad a bit because of the whole 'giving me away' thing he's always wanted to do but it's what I want. He'll still be happy for us no matter what we decide to do. The life that we're going to have together is more important than a big wedding. But there's one most important thing we have to do."
"And what's that?"
"We have to make sure there's no football games going on."
Frank laughed. "I think I can handle that request."
Author's Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read this little one-shot. It is the first of two I have planned though the second one will be a bit different than this one. The story takes place right around the time of the epilogue from The Ties That Bind. I wanted to publish it as a send-off to the football season. Some of the views that I wrote are my own while other ideas were just added for flair of the conversation. Also, just for reference, the last time Illinois beat Ohio State was in 2007 at the Shoe. I actually didn't realize how long ago that was. I wanted to give Nancy another passion other than mysteries and football came to mind. I figured if she was, she would be a fan of a team that's closest to her (Northwestern and Purdue are close as well) and since she lives in the heart of B1G country, it was easy to figure out which team she'd follow. It was also a little bit fun between her and the Hardys since I'm sure that at least one of them would be a fan of the sport. And if you're trying to figure out who Eddie George is, he's a former Ohio State running back and current head coach for the Tennessee State Tigers. He and Taylor Lewan (former Michigan player and current Tennessee Titans offensive tackle) made a bet this past year for The Game and Eddie lost. Eddie George had to sing "Hail to the Victors" while wearing Taylor's jersey and put it up on social media. It was actually rather entertaining though he did give the bird at the end. To find it, it's on Taylor Lewan's Twitter page (or just Google it). Anyway, it was really fun writing it, especially the football segment. I hope that you enjoyed it and, if you will, please leave a review to let me know what you think. Until next time, God bless!