Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or any of the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.
Starting Over
Trixie looked at Jim, an inquiring glint in her blue eyes. When she met his intense gaze, she flushed and glanced away.
"Trixie," Jim leaned closer as he spoke, "can we start all over?"
"Start over?" Trixie stammered. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Jim grinned ruefully, "that I would like to know you better and you seem to have a lot of incorrect assumptions about me."
Trixie nervously played with the rhinestones on the bodice of her dress. She didn't catch the passionate flair in Jim's eyes as he focused on the path of her hand.
"What do you say?" Jim offered his hand as a peace offering.
Removing her hand from her dress, Trixie timidly placed it in Jim's. "We can try," she agreed, "but what about Missy?"
"What about Missy?" Jim asked, the confusion evident in his voice before her meaning dawned on him. "I'm not dating Missy. She's just a little territorial."
"Does she know that?" Trixie asked doubtfully, noticing that Jim still held her hand.
"She would probably like more," Jim admitted, "but she's here because her dad is on the judging committee to decide on the winners of the scholarships." With the truth cursing his conscience, Jim confessed, "She could mess up your chance at a scholarship if you get on her bad side."
"Jim," Trixie grimaced slightly, "I gave up on that the day Honey told me who she was." She held her head proudly. "I don't plan on using our friendship like that."
"So you have nothing to lose," Jim challenged softly, "do you?"
Just my heart, she thought. Meeting his eyes, Trixie accepted the challenge. "Aren't you supposed to be introducing me to your patrons?"
Draping his arm casually across her shoulders, Jim heard her catch her breath as he placed his hand on her upper arm. "I think Dan was right," he whispered huskily, "you will keep me on my toes."
Not giving Trixie a chance to respond, Jim urged her forward to greet the donors to the CAP. With him by her side, Trixie found it easy to mingle with the guests as they quizzed her about her involvement in the program. Whenever Trixie felt like she was faltering, she would look to Jim for encouragement. His easygoing demeanor with the guests relaxed her, and she found herself enjoying Jim's company more and more. In fact, Trixie discovered that she felt at ease talking with all the guests, who were truly interested in the program.
Jim, noticing the delight written across Trixie's face, became aware of his deepening entanglement of emotions for the pretty blonde. Every movement she made seemed to mesmerize him, and he found that he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Her innocent charm enthralled everyone around her. Even the most snobbish of the attendees were soon captivated by her expressiveness and enthusiasm.
When Jim stopped in front of his parents to introduce Trixie, he held her hand tightly. Mrs. Frayne exchanged a knowing look with her husband, Win.
"Hello, Trixie," Mrs. Frayne smiled warmly at her. "I'm glad you could join us."
"Where's Honey?" Win Frayne inquired of his son. "I thought she was attending this affair."
Grinning at Trixie, Jim shrugged, "Something better came along."
"Something or someone," Win joked.
"Win!" his wife exclaimed, "don't let Matt hear you say that." Mrs. Frayne turned toward Trixie and smiled again, "He's a very protective father where his daughter is concerned."
"Are you enjoying yourself, Trixie?" Win Frayne asked. "Jim can be single-minded when it comes to the CAP."
"It's been fun," Trixie admitted, shyly looking at Jim.
"Just don't let him bore you with the details," Win told her.
"Dad, Trixie's been just as enthusiastic about the program as the rest of us," Jim said proudly. "We've couldn't have picked a better representative."
Noting the pretty blush spreading across Trixie's face, Mrs. Frayne remarked, "I think it's time we join the old folk's bunch while you and Trixie enjoy yourself. It was nice to meet you, Trixie."
"Your mother is sweet, Jim," Trixie said after his parents left.
"I'm glad you got to meet her," he replied. "Dad has been raving about you for the past week."
"Really," Trixie blushed, very pleased for some reason.
"Really," Jim answered softly, a happy glow in his eyes.
From across the room, Dan was watching the scene with great interest and a little bit of disappointment. It seemed that Jim wasn't even going to put up a fight, so smitten was he. Chuckling with disbelief, he focused his attention on Missy.
"It seems Miss Belden is a hit," Dan remarked, trying not to gloat.
Missy had been surveying the scene also, but with growing dissatisfaction. "Thanks to Jim, I'm sure," Missy shrugged. "He's so dedicated to the program that he puts up with babysitting a student."
"She's not quite a baby," Dan grinned impudently, "but someday she'll be some lucky guy's babe."
"Are you applying for the job?" Missy asked, amused and somewhat thoughtful. "You two would make a good match."
Knowing Missy's real motive, Dan shook his head, "Not going there, Missy. Perhaps Jim will be the lucky guy."
"Or unlucky guy," she replied coldly. "While I admit she is a pretty little thing, Jim will soon grow bored with her. She's not in his league at all."
"And you are?" Dan retorted.
"Yes, I am," she said, angry determination in her voice, "and soon Jim will realize the truth as well."
"What are you planning, Missy?" Dan demanded as he grabbed her wrist. With a scathing glare, he added, "So help me, if you hurt Trixie…"
"What is it about that little bimbo that has you so protective?" Missy asked as she jerked away from his grasp. A contemptuous smile lit upon her lips and she continued knowingly, "So you do like Trixie. What would your good buddy, Jim, say to that?"
"Get real," Dan snorted, "everyone likes Trixie and it's killing you."
"What's the matter, Daniel?" Missy ridiculed him. "Are you afraid you can't compete with Jim?"
"Listen, brat," Dan hissed, "Jim and I don't do that to each other. We know where to draw the boundary lines, unlike some people."
"I know exactly where to draw the line," Missy replied steely. "Make sure you don't forget that."
Later, as Missy and Dan rejoined Jim and Trixie, Dan couldn't forget Missy's words even if he tried. Not sure if he should warn Jim, Dan decided to remain silent for the time being. After all, Jim knew Missy well, and she wouldn't easily fool him. I hope, thought Dan.
"Jim," Missy continued as she slid close to him, "Daddy really needs to talk to you. The financial statements are due soon. He wanted to discuss them with you."
Loath to leave Trixie for even a moment, Jim squeezed her hand and asked, "Do you mind, Trix? It won't take but a minute." Jim cocked his head in Dan's direction. "I'm sure this character will behave that long."
"Or misbehave," Dan said with a twinkle in his eye for Trixie, "whichever you prefer."
Not noticing Jim's glare, Trixie blushed and giggled softly at Dan's joke, "I think I'll be safe with you, Dan."
Grinning wickedly, he pulled her away from Jim and escorted her to the buffet. "Has Frayne given you a chance to eat yet? We can't have the students starving."
"Mmmm, it smells wonderful," Trixie sniffed the air appreciatively. "Thanks for reminding me. It's not often a starving college student can enjoy a meal like this."
Dan let his eyes roam over Trixie's slim figure admiringly. "And it's not often I get to escort such a pretty starving college student."
"Thanks, Dan, you're very good for my ego." Trixie smiled sincerely at him. She couldn't understand why she felt so at ease with Dan, but so confused and unsure of herself whenever Jim came around her.
"I guess the attentions of Jim Frayne are also very good for your ego," he teased. "I've never seen him so worked up over a girl before."
"I don't know," Trixie said doubtfully, "he's seems more interested in the success of the CAP than anything else."
"Are you interested in him?" Dan asked bluntly.
"Are you trying to play matchmaker?" she asked back, evading his question.
"Nah," Dan grinned, "just getting the lay of the land."
Across the room, Missy was attempting the same thing with Jim.
"Jim," she pouted, "you've been avoiding me all night. Should I be worried about that?"
"I think you said your dad needed to speak with me," Jim reminded her. "Where is he?"
"Jim, darling," Missy answered, "forget Daddy and Miss Belden. He can wait until tomorrow and she seems perfectly happy with Dan. In fact, they both seem quite happy. Don't you think they make a handsome pair?"
Jim's eyes glinted suspiciously as he observed the couple in question. When he saw Trixie place her hand on Dan's shoulder, Jim couldn't hide the frown from his face.
Sensing an opportunity, Missy continued, "Dan did say he liked her and I assumed he would be asking her out." With Jim's displeasure evident, she added innocently, "It's not like she's taken or anything, and Dan is a nice enough guy if you like the type."
"And what type is that, Missy?" Jim inquired not taking his eyes off Trixie.
"Oh, you know, virile in a coarse sort of way," she smirked. "Now you, on the other hand, have virility and style wrapped up in one package. It takes someone special to appreciate you."
"Evidently style isn't a preferred trait to some females," Jim taunted, playing along with Missy's tactics. "Maybe I should resort to my more basic instincts."
With Missy's chatter droning in the background, Jim watched as Trixie's face lit up at something Dan was saying. Trixie wasn't taken. Jim had gone to great lengths to seem uninterested whenever Dan had mentioned her name, but they had played that game before. It was an unspoken rule not to encroach upon each other's dating territory. But I did insist I was not interested in Trixie, thought Jim.
"Jim," Missy interrupted, her voice bursting with agitation, "you haven't heard a thing I've said."
"Guess I'm just tired," Jim said, contritely. "It's been a long day. If you'll excuse me, I need to take Miss Belden home."
Jim hurriedly walked away before Missy could halt him. As he approached Dan and Trixie, he arrived just in time to hear Trixie speaking to Dan.
"Why, Dan," Trixie laughed, "I would love to do that. Maybe you can arrange it sometime."
With Trixie's back turned toward Jim, she didn't catch the ire in his eyes but Dan saw it all. He realized what Jim had assumed. However, when Trixie turned to face Jim, she didn't understand the sudden anger in his voice.
"Dan," Jim said, trying to keep his voice even. "Trixie, are you having fun?"
"Dan's been quite entertaining," Trixie told him, confusion evident in her blue eyes. "We've been making quite a few plans."
"I heard," Jim mentioned as his posture stiffened. "Perhaps we should go now, Trixie, and you and Dan can make your plans later."
"Okay," Trixie said slowly, stunned by Jim's look of rage toward his friend. "Thanks for everything, Dan. I'll talk with you later, like Jim said."
"Sure, Trix," Dan smiled and nodded. Giving Jim a sharp glance, he added, "I'll stop by your office this week, Jim. There are a few things I need to discuss with you."
Curtly, Jim nodded in return as he left with Trixie.
Trixie remained silent until they were seated in Jim's car. Then, almost violently, she turned on Jim. "What is your problem?"
"Problem?" Jim queried back. "I'm sure you'll tell me, won't you?"
"Wasn't it you that wanted to start over?" she demanded. "Or was that just so I would be a good little girl and not embarrass you?"
"The only thing that was embarrassing was the way you were throwing yourself all over Dan," Jim pointed out angrily.
"I was not throwing myself at Dan," Trixie said defensively. "And you have no right to talk anyway. The way Missy was all over you was almost x-rated."
"I'm sure in that dress Dan's thoughts of you were not exactly PG," Jim retaliated.
"Dan was more of a gentleman that you'll ever be," Trixie said in a trembling voice, tears of rage threatening to fall. "And why does it matter? We aren't dating. I was doing a favor for Honey, remember?"
"It matters," Jim answered, his voice growing louder, "because when I escort someone I prefer that she doesn't spend the time making a date with another man."
"I was not making a date with Dan," she said with a clenched jaw.
"I heard you, Trixie," Jim insisted. "You even said you were making plans with him."
Plans that included you, thought Trixie who was too embarrassed to say so. When Dan had suggested that she join Honey, Jim and him for an outing, Trixie had been pleased she had found a way to spend more time with Jim. When she had blushed at the mention of Jim's name, Dan assured her that Jim would be just as happy to see more of her. That seemed rather doubtful now that he thought she was after Dan. Unwilling to offer an explanation, Trixie remained silent, gnawing on her bottom lip in the shadows of the car.
"Trix," Jim spoke softly as he drove, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You're right. We aren't dating. Heck, sometimes we aren't even talking."
"Why did you get so mad?" Trixie wondered out loud.
It was Jim's turn to remain silent. He tried to think of a reasonable excuse for his anger. He knew Trixie deserved the truth, but he wasn't exactly sure what that truth was. Jim speculated on just what she would think if he told her how confused he was. That he didn't want to fall in love with her. And maybe that he already was.
"Could we just chalk it up to my red hair?" Jim joked feebly.
"Does it really matter if I went out with Dan?" Trixie prodded wanting to see if Jim would react to that.
"Truthfully," Jim admitted almost reluctantly, "I would be terribly upset."
"Why?" Trixie probed once more, unwilling to let him off the hook.
Jim didn't speak until he pulled into the parking area of her dormitory. Turning off the engine, he turned to Trixie and looked quietly at her for a moment. Jim reached out to take one of her hands in his.
"Because I want to be the one you go out with," Jim replied huskily and brought her hand to his lips.
Fighting a shiver of delight, Trixie said the first words that came into her head, "You know those plans included you." Her words were breathless and spoken shyly but with meaning in her eyes.
"Maybe we should make plans of our own then?" Jim suggested quietly.
At Trixie's slight nod, Jim leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her lips. While Trixie had been kissed before, none had caused her to feel such desire as she felt from the simple kiss he bestowed upon her. Scared from the intensity of her feelings, she quickly pulled back from him only to find that same intensity echoed in his eyes. She suddenly understood why Jim had been acting the way he had. Trixie wanted to run away from him, so strange and new was this feeling. Giving in to her fears, Trixie rapidly made her excuses and fled into the dorm grateful that Jim made no attempt to stop her.
Jim sat stunned in his seat, unable to think let alone drive. The kiss that he thought would satisfy him earlier that evening had only provided him with one unsettling thought. His desire for Trixie Belden would only be satisfied when he held her heart, and she held his.
Thanks once again to Karen. Phrases in this chapter or any of the other chapters from the book are intentional and used with respect. I do hope you enjoy them.