College finals were quickly creeping up on the Bob-Whites and their classmates. The seven Bob-Whites, along with Dan's girlfriend Amber, had agreed to meet on campus after their classes for a discussion.

Dan and Amber were waiting, sitting and holding hands, as they quizzed each other on Anatomy, one of the few classes they shared.

"I don't know why I signed up for this class. I hated high school Anatomy. What made me think that I would like college Anatomy?" Dan grumbled as Amber paged through her textbook, asking Dan random questions.

"You like it, and you know it," Amber teased.

"You know the only reason I signed up was that I saw your name on the list. I'm not very bright, and I doubt that I will pass that exam."

"Oh, stop, you'll do fine," Amber said softly, her mind focusing on the reason he had joined the class. She barely contained a blush at the thrill that rippled through her.

"Only if I copy your paper," Dan grinned that breath-taking smile of his that never failed to render Amber speechless.

Amber decided that Brian and Honey had perfect timing, for they walked up just then, saving her from trying to think of something to say. Soon, all of the Bob-Whites were sitting in the soft grass, ready to start the meeting.

"So, finals are coming up soon," Trixie started after getting the go-ahead from Jim. "We were thinking, before we really have to buckle down and study nonstop, we should have one last fling so we're refreshed for studying."

"Oh, that's a great idea!" Di exclaimed.

"We can have it at the Manor House," Honey chimed in.

"What kind of party?" Mart asked.

"A costume party," Amber suggested.

"It's not Halloween," Brian said. "Costume parties are for the fall."

"Brian, loosen up! Costumes parties are fun. It really doesn't matter what time of year you have them. But if you have a better idea, I'd be more than happy to listen to it," Amber retorted.

"I think a costume party is a great idea," Dan said, squeezing Amber's hand.

Brian muttered something unintelligible and had the good grace to blush.

"Yes, let's have a costume party!" Honey's eyes shone with excitement.

"I like the idea," Jim said and looked towards those who hadn't yet voiced opinions.

It was agreed that they'd have a costume party that Saturday night. Honey volunteered to work on plans throughout the week and make the necessary phone calls.

As the B.W.G.'s departed, Honey stopped Dan.

"Hey, I would like to invite Regan, too. Do you think he would come?" she asked.

"I don't know. I'll beg him if I have to, though," Dan grinned cheekily.

"Good, I really think he needs time away from thinking about the horses."

*****

That night Dan picked up his phone and quickly dialed his uncle's number.

"Hello?" Regan sounded tired.

"Hi, Uncle Bill. Tough day?"

"Nothing I can't handle, Danny Boy," Regan laughed, suddenly in a good mood hearing his nephew's voice.

"So, how's Jupe doing?" Dan asked. It had been a couple of weeks since Jupiter developed a mild case of colic.

"Oh, he's fine. Not up for riding yet, but he's pretty much back to normal."

"That's good." Dan paused, and then said, "Say, Uncle Bill, the Bob-Whites have decided to have a party on Saturday night. I was hoping you would come."

"I don't see why not," Regan said after pondering for a moment.

"Good. Then you have all week to go get your costume," Dan smiled.

"A costume party? Nope, sorry. I can't come. I have other plans," Regan wracked his brain trying to think of a better excuse.

"They must not be very good plans, Uncle Bill. Two minutes ago you forgot all about them and agreed to join us."

"Danny Boy," Regan sighed heavily, "I'm too old for costume parties."

"Bull, Uncle Bill. You're not that much older than I am. Come on, you'll have fun."

"You're almost too old for costume parties too, you know," Regan thought it might help to point that out.

"That's the difference between you and me, Uncle Bill. I don't care how old I am. I want to go to a costume party and have fun, and I think you should, too."

Regan was silent for a while.

"Uncle Bill, don't make me sic Trixie on you," Dan threatened light-heartedly.

Regan fought with himself for a few minutes before he finally said, "Oh, all right. Will I need a date?"

"Nah, you don't need a date," Dan said as the wheels in his head started turning. I'm getting as bad as Honey, Di, and Amber. But who could I set Uncle Bill up with? Uncle Bill always had poor taste in dates.

"So, Uncle Bill, what's going on in Sleepyside?"

*****

"Have you seen Honey yet today?" Was the first thing out of Dan's mouth to Amber.

"Well, hello to you too, Dan," Amber sniffed. Dan grinned as he grabbed her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. After savoring her lips, he pulled back.

"Hello," he whispered. Amber leaned into his chest until her legs were once again steady.

"That's better," she sighed. Dan put his index finger under her chin and drew her face up towards his and dropped another light kiss on her lips. They started walking towards the school building with his arm around her shoulders and her arm around his waist.

"I take it you haven't seen Honey then?"

"No, sorry. Why?" Amber was suddenly curious.

"I need her help with something for the party," Dan said softly, as if he were muttering to himself.

"What something?" Amber asked as Dan smiled.

"You sound like Trixie," he chuckled. "Something for Uncle Bill. He said he would come to the party, and I want to find him a date."

"Oh, sounds like fun! Can I help?"

"The more, the merrier. I'll need all the help I can get. I don't think Uncle Bill will take kindly to it." Amber laughed. She loved the relationship that Dan and his uncle shared.

*****

"Honey! I've been looking for you everywhere," Dan cried as he hurried to catch up to Honey, who was walking with Trixie.

"Really? What do you need?"

Dan launched into his idea of finding a date to surprise Regan with at the costume party. Honey listened intently while Trixie tried to smother her laughter.

"Regan is going to be upset with you, Dan," Trixie giggled.

"Bring it on. He was talking about this woman last night as much as I talk to him about Amber." When Dan realized what he just admitted, his face burned.

"What is her name again?" Honey asked, trying to think of a way to track her down.

"Adelle," Dan managed to wrap his mouth and accent around the name to pronounce it correctly.

"I'm glad Trixie and I have time to find her," Honey muttered. "It won't be easy without a last name."

"I can't believe you didn't get a last name, Dan. You mean you didn't grill him when you had the chance. I'm ashamed of you Detective Mangan," Trixie teased.

"Hey, I was just happy to get him to agree to come to the party. I didn't even have the idea about Adelle until after I got off the phone with him," Dan playfully defended himself.

"Well, leave it to The Belden-Wheeler Detective Agency. We'll find her and work it out," Honey grinned. Trixie and Honey continued to their next class as Dan turned to go home for the day.

*****

That evening when Jim picked Trixie up for their date, she was still thinking about Dan's idea. They walked slowly hand in hand to their favorite restaurant. Jim watched Trixie as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Penny for your thoughts," Jim said, nudging her with his elbow.

"Hmm? Oh, Dan has this crazy idea of finding a date for Regan for the costume party," Trixie replied with a sweet smile.

Jim laughed and said exactly what Trixie had when Dan told her.

"Regan is going to be upset with him."

"That's what I told him. He doesn't seem to care. I think he just wants to see him happy. He even knows who he wants to get as Regan's date, but he doesn't know her last name." Trixie rolled her eyes and walked into the restaurant as Jim held the door open for her. The conversation paused while they were seated and gave the waitress their orders.

"So, who is this woman and why does Dan think he can get away with this?" Jim prompted Trixie to continue with the story.

"Well, Dan says that Regan was talking about her all last night during their phone call. After, of course, he manipulated Regan into agreeing to come to the party. He doesn't know her last name, as I said, and doesn't know what she does for a living. That boy needs some lessons in interrogation."

"Trixie, what's her name?" Jim grinned at her rambling.

"Adelle, I think is what he said." She just barely was able to pronounce it. Jim's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Trixie stared at him. "Jim? What is wrong with you?"

"Adelle? I think I know her," Jim said thoughtfully after he regained his composure. "I mean, how many Adelles can there be in New York?"

"Really? How?" Trixie asked, always the detective.

"The landscaper that I hired for the school--."

"What does Old Man Andy have to do with this?"

"He had a stroke and retired, giving his business to his great-niece, Adelle," Jim informed her. Trixie could barely stay still in her seat.

"Do you have her number? Can you get in touch with her? Can you arrange something? Oh, please, Jim!" Trixie didn't even stop for him to answer.

"Trixie," Jim silenced her, laughing. "I'll try my best, but I can't promise anything."

"Oh thank you!" Trixie ran to his side of the table and, throwing her arms around Jim's neck, planted a kiss soundly on his lips.

*****

Regan used his usual lunchtime the next day to run to the nearest costume rental shop in White Plains. He felt out of place in the shop, but he went in and hesitantly riffled through the costumes. He contemplated a vampire costume and an old time sheriff outfit. Then he found a cowboy costume, and took the three costumes to a dressing room.

He nearly hurt himself laughing at the sheriff costume and went on to the vampire. Regan sighed, he didn't look right as a vampire. After trying on the cowboy costume, he thought that was a definite possibility. He went back to the racks and looked a little more before making a final decision.

"Can I help you?" A tall, beautiful brunette asked.

"Well, my nephew and his friends invited me to a costume party," Regan sighed.

"Oh, I have just the thing," she said and turned to the rack behind her.

"Great. I feel kind of ridiculous honestly," Regan ran a freckled hand through his copper hair.

"Here we go." She turned back around holding two costumes, one of Pooh Bear and the other of Tigger. "These would be perfect for your nephew's party."

"I don't think so," Regan said quickly, backing up into the rack that he had been looking through earlier.

"Oh, you would look great as Pooh or Tigger," she insisted.

"No, I don't think so. Thanks," Regan said as he turned and rushed out the door. He swore to himself all the way to his truck. And he still needed a costume.

*****

Jim was pleasantly surprised that day when Adelle showed up. He had completely forgotten about their meeting. He was feeling pretty lucky that he didn't have to dig out her phone number and give her a call. After shaking his hand, she followed him back into his office with her portfolio tucked neatly under her arm.

Jim took a second to study this woman with whom Regan seemed to be enamored. Jim didn't doubt why Regan found her attractive. She seemed to have the same spark that Trixie had. She was taller than Trixie, but not by much, and her strikingly colored auburn hair, while it was rather short, was nicely styled.

Adelle took her time explaining each of her three different ideas. Jim listened carefully and studied the drawings she brought out.

Jim walked her back to her truck after they had discussed in detail what he wanted to be done.

"Hey, I never did apologize for our first meeting. I was having problems with the builders that day and was out of sorts," Jim said as they reached the truck.

"That's fine. Don't worry about it," Adelle shrugged with a smile. Then she added, "To be honest, I thought you were a construction worker when I stopped you that day."

Jim laughed as Adelle blushed furiously and laughed at herself.

"I want to make it up to you, though," Jim said when he had sobered.

"You don't have to," Adelle insisted.

"I know, but I would like to. My friends and I are having a costume party this Saturday and we would love for you to join us. Trixie, my girlfriend, especially; she's just dying to meet you."

"I don't know. I'm not really one for parties and I don't know anyone, so I wouldn't have a date," Adelle was hesitant.

"Don't worry about a date. I have a friend that is coming alone too. Maybe you two could get together for the dancing," Jim offered.

"I don't have a costume either, and I don't know, Jim. I don't really like mixing business with pleasure," Adelle started to shake her head.

"Don't worry about the costume either. I'll take care of everything, I promise. Please come. All my friends want to meet you."

Adelle got into her truck with indecision hanging in the air around her. She sat there as she started the engine and stared at Jim.

Author's notes:

I would like to take this time to thank my three wonderful editors, April W, Cathymw, and Amber. I would also like to thank Amber for persuading me to get to work. She did a great job helping me right along! She doesn't threaten with guns, like many may say, she uses whips more often than not ;-)

Disclaimer These characters, with the exception of Uncle Andy and Adelle, are property of Random House Publishing. I am making no money from them, I only write because I love them.