Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.
Trouble Brews
Jim chuckled as he thought about his father's words. Win Frayne was an astute businessman and one of the reasons for that was he could see right through you. Now Jim was considering ways to take his father's advice.
Trixie was working on another floor when a call came for her to report to the main desk. A simple task of taking a much needed file to the office of Jim Frayne was given to her. Trixie's heart fluttered as she walked to his door and knocked.
"Come in," Jim called.
"You needed these," Trixie said nervously as she handed him the file.
"Yes, I did," Jim grinned and set the file on the desk. "Thanks for bringing it to me."
She looked up at his green eyes and suddenly felt dry-mouthed, unable to make coherent speech.
Jim placed a hand on her shoulder. "Trix, did Honey talk to you? Did she explain everything to you?"
Trixie nodded in reply, willing her shaky voice to reply, "Yes." That was all she could manage as he continued to gaze into her eyes.
"Is everything okay?" As she nodded, he smiled and added, "I'm glad."
"Jim!" His office door blew open letting in a tall, willowy blonde.
Embarrassed, Trixie jumped back from Jim's grasp and turned to look at his visitor.
"Hello, Missy," Jim said evenly.
Missy sauntered toward Jim who dutifully kissed her on the cheek.
"Such a stiff welcome, Jim," Missy remarked, "it's not like you." She narrowed her eyes as she looked at Trixie. "And you are?"
"Sorry, Missy," Jim explained, "this is Trixie, one of our college applicants. This is Missy, a friend of the family. You'll see her around, Trixie. Her father runs the CAP."
"Pleased to meet you Miss?" Trixie stuttered a reply.
"Miss Kramer," Missy answered and dismissed Trixie from her mind. Turning toward Jim, she ran her hand across his lapel, "Now Jim, dear, how can I tempt you from this office?"
Feeling like an intruder, Trixie scooted back against Jim's desk while trying to make a graceful exit and inadvertently knocked over a pitcher of water. The water splashed out, splattering the file, Trixie, and Missy.
Mortified, Trixie looked desperately for something to mop up the spill, mumbling incoherently as she did so.
"Oooh," cried Missy, "just look at me." Casting Trixie a disparaging glance, she added, "I hope all your college students aren't this clumsy."
"Not quite all," Jim said dryly giving Trixie a wink as he passed Missy his handkerchief. Reaching in his desk for paper towels, he assured Trixie, "I've got it."
"Daddy will be thrilled to hear about this one," Missy stated as she blotted her dress.
"I don't know what to say," Trixie stammered. "I…I…"
"Just spit it out, girl," Missy demanded, "unless you have more damage to inflict."
Trixie blinked back the hot tears that threatened to fall, and looked beseechingly at Jim. When she saw the anger in his eyes, she felt her heart thud in her chest. Oh, woe, thought Trixie, he's really mad at me this time.
"Just apologize to Miss Kramer, Trixie," he said in a short, clipped tone.
Flushing with embarrassment, she apologized in a low voice adding, "I'll pay for the dress,"
"That's not necessary, dear," Missy said loftily, "you couldn't afford it anyway."
"You can go now, Trixie," Jim instructed her, looking more irate by the minute.
"Okay," Trixie mumbled as she ran out the door. The last thing she heard was Miss Kramer saying, "Honestly, Jim…"
Tears of humiliation and anger built up in her as she fled down the hall. She felt rather than saw the two strong arms reaching out to steady her as she collided with what felt like a brick wall. Momentarily blinded by her tears, Trixie paused a minute to get her bearings.
"Hold on a minute," a dark-haired man exclaimed, "where's the fire?"
For the second time that week, Trixie realized that she had bowled over a handsome man, this one dressed strikingly in his NYPD uniform.
"Excuse me," she apologized, "I should have been looking where I was going."
"Was Frayne in a bad mood today?" The cop had seen her leave Jim's office.
"No, uh, Officer Mangan," she answered as she spied his name on his badge.
"Well, don't let his temper get to you, kid," Dan said in a soothing voice. "His bark is way worse than his bite."
"I'll try to remember that," Trixie nodded, but his words set her on edge. A kid, that's what Jim thinks, too.
Dan stepped aside and let her pass by. He wondered if that was the curly blonde that Jim had been talking about. Looks like he sure impressed her, he thoughtsarcastically. More than a bit curious, Dan opened the door to Jim's office without knocking.
"Frayne, old boy, glad to see you're still waiting for me," Dan said when he entered and saw Missy by his desk. "Good afternoon, Missy."
"Daniel," she acknowledged, vaguely dismissing him as beneath her notice.
"I do have an appointment with Dan," Jim told her, relieved to see him walk through the door, "security issues, you know."
"Well, call me, sweetie," Missy pouted as Jim walked her to the door, "it's been too long since we've gotten together."
"I'll do that, Missy," he assured her as he closed the door behind her.
Wiping his brow in mock terror, he looked at Dan and shuddered.
"You get no help in that department," Dan shook his head. "This cop doesn't take out lady piranhas."
"She was in fine form today, too."
"Well, just be warned, you will be eaten alive if you don't get rid of her and soon," Dan grinned.
"Gee, thanks, Dan," Jim sat down at his desk, "I can always use the moral support."
"Not to change the subject, but who was that hot little number who left your office earlier?" Dan wagged his brows suggestively.
"Not your type," Jim cautioned him.
"My type?"
"Yeah, you know the kind that prefers a monogamous relationship."
"Interesting," Dan's eyes took on a wicked glint, "and is she yours?"
"What brings you here today, Dan?" Jim decided that a change of subject was in order. "Not that I mind, it was useful in getting rid of the piranha, thanks."
Dan grinned broadly at Jim, "I think I accomplished my goal."
"And what was that?" Jim asked, not sure if he wanted the answer.
"I got to meet your Trixie," Dan told him reading Jim like an open book, "although she was a bit upset."
"Yeah," Jim sighed with regret, "Missy was at her finest with Trixie. I tried to smooth things over but Missy just made me so angry. Her dad is on the judging committee, and like I told you yesterday, Trixie really needs this scholarship. I'd hate for her to lose it because Missy decided to cause problems for her."
"Jim, you need to explain that to Trixie," advised Dan, "because if I know my females, pretty soon her hurt feelings are going to soon turn into angry ones. All directed at you."
Dan's words rang true even before Trixie had returned to her assigned work area. "Who does he think he is?" she muttered to herself. "Making me apologize to that witch after she insulted me." Trixie continued her tirade as she went to her small desk that she shared with Honey.
"Having a bad day?" Honey inquired as she saw Trixie stomping around.
"Let's just say it could be better," Trixie paused and considered confiding in Honey.
"Why don't we have dinner after work today?" Honey suggested before Trixie could say anything more. She added slyly, "Maybe we could get Jim to join us."
"Jim…" Trixie stammered, her face a flaming red, "I probably shouldn't, Honey. I need to get some studying done this week before my brothers' visit."
"Your brothers?" Honey inquired with interest.
"Hey, I have an idea," Trixie brightened, "why don't you come over Friday night? Di's been wanting to meet you, and you could save me from my brothers' teasing. They won't be near as bad with you around."
Pleased, Honey answered, "That sounds like fun, Trixie."
Grinning inwardly, Trixie thought, Maybe, just maybe, she might be interested in Brian. Trixie would do anything to rid Brian of the girls he had been dating lately, none of them she deemed worthy of the best big brother in town.
"Brian! Mart!" Trixie ran to hug her brothers, laughing when she beat Di in the race to hug Mart first.
"My turn, Trix," Diana grinned shyly as she gave her boyfriend a hug and a kiss.
Brian rolled his eyes at the couple. "I guess it's just you and me, Sis."
"Well, actually, we do have one more," Trixie stared at Brian. "A friend of mine is joining us."
"A friend?" Brian narrowed his eyes at his sister's statement.
"A female friend," Trixie sighed with exasperation. "Honestly, Brian, I am allowed to have male friends, you know."
"Sorry, Trix," Brian smiled sheepishly, "just prepare me before I have to actually meet one, okay?"
"Trixie," came a hesitant call from the still open doorway, "oh, your brothers."
"Come on in, Honey," Trixie grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room, shutting the door behind them.
"This is Honey Wheeler, guys," Trixie gestured toward Honey. "This is my roommate and best friend, Diana Lynch. Those two odd looking characters are my brothers, Brian and Mart."
"I'm glad to meet you," Honey smiled shyly at the trio. "Trixie's told me so much about you."
"Don't let that influence you," Mart joked, "all lies, I can assure you."
"You must be Mart," Honey said, causing the room to erupt in laughter.
"Smart girl, you are," Brian chuckled, noticing just how pretty Honey was, especially when she smiled. "I'm Brian."
"Enough of this chitchat," Trixie announced, "let's eat. It's not often a starving college student is fed by her older brothers."
Trixie bounded out the door, followed by Mart and Di.
Brian looked intently at Honey and offered her an arm. "Shall we?"
"Of course," Honey giggled shyly and walked with Brian.
Trixie couldn't have been more pleased with Brian's interest in Honey, interest that looked well received and returned. She grinned at Mart and Di when they noticed Brian and Honey whispering to each other. In silent agreement, they each decided that a little prying would be in order later when they had a chance to get them alone.
It was later that night, after dinner, when Trixie got her chance to quiz Honey. Brian had left after escorting the girls back to Trixie's dorm room while Mart and Di had taken the opportunity for some time alone.
"Don't go yet, Honey," Trixie urged.
"Sure," Honey agreed, "I can stay awhile."
Grinning as Honey took a seat at Trixie's desk, she couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. Slyly, she said, "So, how did you like my big brother?"
Smiling, Honey's face took on a pretty blush. "He asked me to out for tomorrow night."
Bemoaning the fact, that when Honey blushed it was enhancing unlike her own bright red blushes, Trixie ears perked with interest. "And you said?"
"Yes, of course," Honey couldn't help but giggle. "Oh, Trixie, he is so sweet."
Grinning broadly once more, Trixie admonished her, "Remember, that's my brother you're mooning over."
"I can't help it," Honey admitted sheepishly. "I hope we hit it off when we're alone."
"Speaking of that," Trixie asked with interest, "where is my older brother taking you on your first date?"
"He's going to call me tomorrow," Honey told her. "We didn't…oh, no," Honey gasped as she suddenly realized, "I'm supposed to represent the CAP students tomorrow at a publicity function."
"Can't you just cancel?"
"No, it's too late to find a replacement, unless…" Honey grabbed Trixie's hands excitedly. "You could do it, Trixie. It wouldn't cost you a thing. I'm sure the program would pay all your expenses."
"What about a dress?" Trixie moaned. "I know there's nothing in my closet fit to wear to a publicity function."
"That, too," Honey insisted. "I'll make a few phone calls. You're about a size six, right?" As Trixie nodded, she continued, "Write down your sizes and I'll take care of everything."
Dubiously, Trixie wrote down the information for Honey and gave her the piece of paper. "Are you sure about this, Honey? I don't want to get in trouble, or get you in trouble. What will I have to do there?"
"You just have to be yourself," Honey assured her. "They'll just want to hear about your experiences working in CAP." Before Trixie could change her mind, Honey grabbed her coat and ran out the door. "A driver will be here at six, just be ready."
"Only for my brother," Trixie grumbled out loud. Knowing that Diana would not be home until much later, Trixie stomped about as she prepared for bed. "Might as well sit home alone and study. Tomorrow seems to be planned for me."
When Trixie woke up the next morning, she informed Di of her plans for the evening. Diana hugged her sympathetically, knowing that Trixie hated dressing up for any occasion.
"You'll be like Cinderella," Di encouraged her. "I wonder what Honey will send over."
Trixie paced nervously. "Maybe I should have said no, but then Brian might not have asked her out again."
"I do hope she sends something in blue," Di mused, her mind on the dress and on Brian's interest in Honey.
Trixie rolled her eyes at her friend, and then another terrifying thought struck her. "Hair and makeup! Can you help me with my hair and makeup, please? I don't want to embarrass Honey."
"Trixie," Di rebuked her, "you look fabulous already. But, of course, I'll help you, only because I don't want you to spend the entire day fretting."
When the dress arrived, Diana was ecstatic. "Oh, Trixie, it's beautiful, and the perfect color for you."
Trixie looked at the blue dress and sighed. It was beautiful, but a little bit too revealing for her comfort. The cobalt blue dress had a plunging halter top accented in rhinestones. The back, if you could call it that, flared out from the neckline in strands of rhinestones to meet at the small of her back. Although the dress was made to fit close to the hips, Trixie thankfully noted that there was no slit in the dress.
"It's very tasteful," Diana assured her. "Try it on. I'm dying to see it on you."
Trixie obliged, rather curious about the fit. When she exited from the bathroom, Diana gasped.
"Oh, wow," Di said as she walked around Trixie and studied her friend, "we better not let your brothers see you in this."
"I know," moaned Trixie, "I'm sure I look ridiculous or like a cheap hussy."
"Trixie," Diana said with amazement, "you look beautiful, elegant, and oh, so sexy. Your brothers couldn't handle that."
"You don't think it's too much," Trixie asked uncertainly. "I just didn't realize it was going to be such a formal affair."
"I'm definitely jealous," Di commented with a grin. "Are you prepared for all the male attention you're going to get tonight?"
"Yeah, right, Di," Trixie snorted. "I'm sure I won't be the center of attention. I'll be talking up the CAP, remember?"
Diana just shook her head. Part of Trixie's charm tonight would be that she wouldn't realize just how drop-dead gorgeous she was. If she ever did, Di thought ruefully, then her brothers would really have something to worry about.
"Let's see what else she sent," Diana suggested.
Honey had been thorough Di had to admit. Included to go with the dress were shoes, of course, and earrings that would dangle sexily from Trixie's ears. She even included silky underwear that wouldn't show.
"Wow," Trixie murmured, "CAP went all out."
With a hunch that it wasn't CAP's doing, Diana pursed her lips in thought. What was Honey Wheeler up to?
When Honey called minutes later, Di answered the phone.
"Honey, the dress is wonderful," she exclaimed, "and Trixie looks like a dream."
"That's the plan," Honey laughed, but before she could elaborate to Di, Trixie demanded the phone.
"It is beautiful," Trixie admitted, "but I didn't realize it was going to be quite so fancy." She added in an accusatory tone, "I wish you had told me."
"You not really mad," Honey asked worriedly, "are you, Trix?"
"I guess not," sighed Trixie, "but remember this when I need a favor of my own."
"It's a promise," Honey assured her, "and have fun."
After ending her call with Honey, she took a hot shower to calm her nerves. Later, after letting Di work her magic, Trixie was astonished at the results.
"You look great," Diana said smugly, "not that you needed much help."
"I'm so nervous," Trixie complained, "I don't think I'll be able to finish dressing."
"Oh, yes, you will," Diana shook her finger at Trixie. "Don't you dare back out now."
Trixie looked at her reflection in the mirror. "Do you really think I can pull this off? I won't look like a schoolgirl playing dress-up?"
Diana gave her friend an encouraging hug around her shoulders. "You'll be fine. I'm going to meet Mart now so promise me you'll be ready by six, unless you want Mart coming back with me."
"I promise, I promise," Trixie declared vehemently, "just keep both my brothers away."
Trixie sat stiffly after Diana left, afraid of messing up her hair and makeup. Finally the moment arrived for her to finish changing. When she had slipped into her dress and shoes even Trixie had to admire the reflection she saw in the floor length mirror that belonged to Diana Lynch. She was still gaping at her reflection when she heard the knock on her door. Grabbing the wrap, also thoughtfully provided by Honey, Trixie opened the door.
Two gasps were heard simultaneously. Trixie looked up into the green eyes of Jim Frayne, her blues eyes displaying shock and dismay. Jim stared back, absolutely enchanted by the vision before him.
Thanks Karen for all you help. You've made this story so much better.