Diana Lynch smothered a smile as Mart met her outside her last class of the day. A class that she happened to share with Jack Ash. With great difficulty she contained an eye-roll as Mart attached himself to her, one arm firmly around her shoulders.

“Fairest Diana, beautiful maiden,” he murmured, squeezing her tightly. “I missed you today.”

Diana felt some of her irritation disappear. Whatever his motives for displaying it publicly, Mart was honest about his feelings. He really did think she was beautiful, and smart, and kind. She smiled up at him, suddenly reminded of how much she cared for him.

“I thought maybe we could get together after school,” Mart said. “Do you have any homework you need help with?” He glanced over his shoulder, making certain that Jack Ash heard him.

Diana's wave of mushy emotion dissipated, leaving chagrined amusement in its wake. “Actually, Honey and I have a ... project we're working on. We need to stay after school.” She sneaked a furtive glance at Jack, who was openly staring at them.

“A project? What kind of project?” Mart asked.

“Miss Hansen is giving bonus marks to home economics students who help bake cookies for the band fund raiser,” she reminded him.

Mart's expression brightened. “Do you need help?”

“No!” Diana exclaimed. “There actually have to be some cookies left to sell, remember? And a few others are helping...” she said, deliberating avoiding names.

Mart sighed, then pulled her out of the throng of students hurrying to their lockers. He leaned down and kissed her, his hands at her waist. Diana detached herself after a brief kiss, not comfortable kissing in view of the entire student body.

“So, you'll call me?” Mart asked, looking past her to where Jack Ash was stealing looks at them around his open locker door.

Diana raised an eyebrow at Mart's inattention to her. His face hardened as he continued to stare at Jack.

“Don't you need to head to the science lab?” Di asked. “I thought you had to re-do that experiment you accidentally exploded.”

Mart shifted his focus back to Diana. “I forgot,” he said glumly.

Di giggled. “Well, I'm sure Mr. Kennedy hasn't. Better get over there before he decides you need to clean the lab equipment, too.”

After one last kiss, Mart hurried away.

Trixie sat at a study carrel in the school library, tapping her pencil impatiently as she waited for her tutor to arrive. Maybe he'll be such a great tutor that I'll only need one session, she thought hopefully. In fact, maybe it will only take a few minutes, and I'll be able to join Honey and Di in the home economics lab making cookies. She paused. Well, maybe I don't want to finish that early...

Her thoughts were interrupted when a familiar friend drew a chair next to hers. “Hey, Nick,” Trixie smiled. “Getting some homework done before you go to work?”

The handsome dark young man smiled back. “Sort of. But I believe it's your homework we'll be working on.”

Trixie's eyes bulged. “You're my tutor?”

“I'm not just a tortured artist, you know,” Nick teased, a happy grin on his face. “I do okay in math.”

Trixie blinked back her surprise. “Oh! Of course you do. I mean...”

“It came as a surprise to me, too,” Nick assured her. “But math is actually kind of fun. Let's see what you're working on.”

Trixie shoved her text book at him, a look of disgust on her face. “Algebra.”

“Algebra isn't so bad. I promise.” Nick leaned in close to her, his dark eyes serious, and Trixie felt her heart stutter, just a little. “I'll work on this with you until it makes sense.”

“Then we'd better get started,” she said breathlessly, all thoughts of baking cookies vanishing.

Elaine Lynch glanced from her sheaf of papers to the prim and proper butler. “I think everything is in order, Harrison.” She nodded in approval. “You've incorporated everything Diana and I discussed concerning the Mardi Gras party.”

“I'm pleased my proposal meets with your approval,” Harrison replied, his tone crisp and efficient. “I'm happy to help with Miss Diana's Mardi Gras party.”

“I know the teenagers will be in good hands with you here. I hate to miss the party, but Madeleine is going to need me to help with the Fresh Start Riding Academy weekend. Especially now that Marge is coming as a guest.”

Harrison's already rigid posture stiffened. “Miss Trask will not be attending the Mardi Gras party?”

“No, not this year,” Elaine murmured, intrigued by the butler's interest. Harrison was more than capable of managing the event. In all probability, the Bob-Whites didn't need him there at all. Then why was he concerned that Marge wouldn't be there?

She watched him leave the room, a thoughtful expression on her face. Could his reasons be personal?

Honey and Di joined the small group of mostly female students setting up in the home ec lab.

“Dan!” Honey exclaimed, placing her hand on the arm of the tall, dark-haired young man. “I didn't know you'd be here!”

Dan grinned. “What, and miss out on the chance to spend time with cookies and a group of gorgeous girls?”

Di giggled. “And here I thought you were taking Cooking this term just so you could get an easy credit.”

“Nope. Mr. Maypenny is a great cook, but he doesn't like baking. I'm taking Cooking so that we can actually have dessert once in a while.” His dark eyes glinted mischievously, and he leaned in closer to his friends. “The fact that it's almost only girls in the class is just icing on the cake.”

He frowned as he spotted a new face. “Looks like I'm not the only guy here today.”

Honey and Di followed his gaze. “That's Jack,” Diana said, her eyes twinkling.

Dan surveyed the girls narrowly. “What do you girls have cooking?” he asked. “More than just cookies, I'm betting.”

Di blinked innocently. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Yes, you do.” Dan paused. “And I want in.”

Di was about to answer him when Honey elbowed her discreetly. “Hi, Jack!” she said brightly.

“Hello, ladies,” Jack said, placing an arm around each of them. “It sure was nice of you to invite me to help you, um, bake cookies,” he said with a wink, somehow making baking cookies sound like an inappropriate euphemism.

Dan studied Honey and Di intently, trying to decide if intervention was necessary.

“Jack!” Di employed the ever-effective giggle/hair-flip combination with ease.

Dan snickered to himself as he guessed where Diana was headed. “I'm Dan Mangan,” he said, extending his hand and forcing Jack to let go of the girls.

“And I'm Jack Ash,” he responded. He nodded to the group of girls in the kitchen suite next to them. “Here to check out the girls?” he asked.

Dan shrugged. “Most of them have boyfriends. Just like Honey and Di,” he added pointedly.

“And that's a problem why?” Jack asked.

Before Dan could respond, Miss Hansen called the group to attention. “I'm very pleased that so many of you turned out! However, a person in the community who wishes to remain anonymous dropped off dozens of cookies this afternoon, and, instead of baking, I'm going to need a few of you to help box the cookies.” She looked around the room, her gaze resting on the more responsible students. “Honey, Di, would you come with me please? You can package the cookies according to the pre-orders, and then load them on the truck.” Looking for man-power to help with the loading, she motioned for Dan and Jack to join them.

“The order forms are here,” Miss Hansen said, handing Honey a thick folder. “Please fill each order separately and label the box. The boxes can be loaded straight onto the truck parked out the service entrance.” Miss Hansen motioned to the back door of the storage area, which had been propped open. A truck borrowed from the local bakery had been backed up to the entrance, and was ready to be loaded.

“By the time you fill these orders, the first batch of cookies from the kitchen should be ready.” Miss Hansen smiled at the four volunteers. “I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

The four students took stock of the storage room, which was filled to overflowing with cookies.

“Mmm... I smell ginger snaps,” Dan said, licking his lips.

“That's it!” Di laughed. “You're in charge of carrying the boxes out to the truck. If we let you fill orders, half the cookies will end up in your mouth.”

Dan raised an eyebrow. Was Di trying to get rid of him? No, he decided, studying her playful expression. She's playing a game. And she wants me here, but not too visible. Jack's braying laugh caught his attention, and Dan caught on.

He didn't know how she was going to do it, but Di had plans to make life tough for Jack Ash. He grinned to himself. Yes, he definitely wanted in.

Madeleine Wheeler sat at her desk in the morning room, skimming the guest list for the Fresh Start Riding Academy weekend. No, no, no, she thought to herself, crossing out name after name. None of them are right.

She started guiltily when the door opened. “Matthew! I thought you left for the city.”

Matthew Wheeler narrowed his eyes. “What are you cooking up?”

Every inch a dignified society wife, Madeleine sniffed. “Cooking up?”

A delighted grin spread across her husband's face. “You're planning something. 'Fess up, darling wife.” He leaned down and draped an arm over her slim shoulders. “You can't hide it from me.”

Madeleine glared at him. “You can be a real pain sometimes. But you're right.” She tossed the papers on the desk. “I'm trying to find someone suitable for Marge to...spend time with at the Academy weekend.”

“Marge? Weekend?” He paused. “Time?”

Madeleine burst into laughter at the befuddled expression on her husband's face. “Yes, Matthew. I want her to come as a guest. And I was hoping that she could have a little fun for a change.”

“Marge?” Matthew asked again.

“Yes, Marge!” Madeleine exclaimed. “Our loyal, hard-working Miss Trask could use a little appreciation. And attention.”

“You're trying to set her up?” Matthew asked weakly.

“And just what is wrong with that?” Madeleine demanded.

Matthew shook his head, seemingly at a loss for words. “Um, nothing?”

Madeleine's sleek hair bounced as she nodded. “That's right. It's about time Marge had some fun.”

Matthew still looked pained, so she hastened to add, “Not that kind of fun! Although...”

“Stop!” Matthew ordered, holding up a hand. “If you love me at all, you'll stop right there.”

“Okay,” Madeleine agreed. “But you have to help me, then.”

“Help you what?” Matthew asked, an uncharacteristically wary expression on his face.

“Find the perfect man for Marge, of course.” She handed him the guest list. “Do you see anyone promising? Because Richard Cox is starting to look good.”

Matthew grimaced. “You wouldn't.”

Madeleine raised a brow in challenge. “Then help me find someone better.”

Jack Ash took the box of packed cookies Diana offered, his fingers lingering on her wrist. It was only a matter of time, he told himself. Girls loved him. Before long, the beautiful Diana Lynch would succumb, and she would be his. And after her, he could turn his attention to the sweet Honey Wheeler. A slow smile crept over his face at the thought.

“Jack!” He felt a poke in his ribs. “Aren't you going to take the box out to the truck?” Diana laughed.

Jack looked up and saw the mirthful expression on the raven-haired beauty's face. Utterly irresistible. Mart Belden was a fool for letting her out of his sight. But, the fact remained, she was out of Mart's sight. And in his sight. He licked his lips.

The subtle clearing of a throat drew his attention to the other male in the room. Dan was watching him with guarded speculation. Maybe today wasn't the best day to push his plan forward, after all. Something told him that Dan could be a formidable force, if pressed. Well, that was fine. He could afford to bide his time. And, the longer he waited to press his advantage, the longer he had to wear down Diana's defences.

“I think we're done,” Honey commented, checking the pile of order forms. “We've filled all the orders!”

“Beautiful, smart, and dedicated,” Jack enthused, placing an arm around each girl.

Dan raised a brow. “I don't generally get compliments on my beauty, but thanks.”

Honey edged away from Jack, but Diana giggled and fluttered her eyelashes. “Thank you for helping, Jack,” she said, her violet eyes capturing his.

Honey lifted the last of the boxes, balancing them carefully.

“Need some help, Honey?” Dan plucked the top two boxes from the stack Honey was carrying, and followed her out to the truck.

Jack's arm drifted from Diana's shoulder to her waist, and he edged closer, his eyes fixed on her lips. He would worry about Dan Mangan later. Much later. This was a golden opportunity that he wasn't about to waste.

Just then, they heard a familiar voice in the kitchen area.

“Hi, Miss Hansen.” Mart's friendly voice carried clearly to the storage room. “Is Di still here?”

“She's in the storage room with Honey, Dan, and the new student. Jack, I think. They must be nearly finished. You're welcome to check,” Miss Hansen replied.

Jack's eyes widened in horror. Fear settled firmly in the pit of his stomach. Honey and Dan were outside. He and Di were inside. In a small room. Mart Belden would not like this one little bit.

“Quick,” Di hissed. “Get in the truck.” She glanced over her shoulder at the closed storage room door. “Hide!”

Without a second thought, Jack dashed out the door and past Dan and Honey. He threw himself into the back of the delivery truck and hunkered down behind the boxes. Dan and Honey stared at him, mouths gaping.

“Close the door!” Jack begged. “Mart's here. Hurry!”

Dan snapped into action while Honey continued to stand still, frozen by the absurdity of the situation. Despite his fear, Jack scowled at the amused expression on Dan's face as he slammed the door shut. After all, what did Dan know? If Dan wasn't prepared to pursue girls with boyfriends, he probably had no idea of the risks. Or the benefits.

Confident that he wouldn't be discovered, Jack grinned. Remembering Diana's coy smile, he decided that the benefits far out-weighed the risks.

It was then that he heard the sound of an engine turning over, and felt the cool breeze of the air-conditioning. An oath escaped his lips as the truck lurched forward and he lost his balance. He paled. He was in a refrigerated delivery truck that was beginning a delivery route. Teeth chattering, he huddled among the boxes, trying to come up with a plan.

Trixie Belden slammed her locker door closed, so happy that she didn't even hear the text books sliding off the shelves and settling on the floor of the locker. Maybe math wasn't so bad, after all, she reflected as she remembered Nick's quiet passion for the subject. And there was nothing wrong with Nick! He had looked at her with the same quiet passion, and Trixie was surprised to discover that she found it flattering.

She flung her backpack over her shoulder and was about to hurry to the home economics lab to meet Honey and Di, when a loud grunt caught her attention.

“Ouch!” Mart exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder. “That backpack weighs a ton—watch where you're pointing it!”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “What are you still doing here? Driving Di home?”

Mart grimaced. “I had to re-do an experiment. Apparently the data isn't valid if it explodes.”

“You think?” Trixie snorted. “Anyway, this is great! You can drive Honey and Di and me home.”

Mart brightened at the thought of his girlfriend. “Sure. She's in the home ec room, right?”

Trixie nodded. “Hurry up! We can help them finish baking cookies if they're not done yet.”

The siblings hurried down the deserted corridors of Sleepyside Junior/Senior High. Mart reached the classroom first, and was surprised to find it empty of students.

“Hi, Miss Hansen,” he greeted the attractive teacher. “Is Di still here?”

“She's in the storage room with Honey, Dan, and the new student. Jack, I think. They must be nearly finished. You're welcome to check,” Miss Hansen replied.

“Jack Ash,” Mart supplied, smiling politely at Miss Hansen.

Trixie placed a restraining hand on her brother's arm, sensing his tension.

“Yes, that's his name,” the teacher agreed.

Mart nodded his thanks. Shaking off his sister's arm, he flung open the storage room door. The lone occupant of the room looked up and smiled.

“Mart!” Diana exclaimed. “Are you done your experiment already?”

“It's almost five o'clock,” Mart pointed out. “Where's everyone else?”

Di's eyes darted to the back door. As if on cue, Honey and Dan entered.

“Hey, Mart,” Dan said, clasping his friend's shoulder. “Good to see you. Blow up any more experiments today?”

Mart looked past him. “Where's Jack?”

“Jack?” Di asked, her violet eyes wide. “Jack's not here. Why would Jack be here?”

Mart surveyed his girlfriend narrowly. “Miss Hansen said Jack was here.”

“Oh, he was. For a while, at least.” Di flipped her hair and moved closer to Mart. “But he left.”

Mart looked around the room. There was no Jack Ash in sight. But something was definitely up. He had been here. And Di was covering it up. The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach returned. Whatever it took, he would figure out what was going on.

Mr. Maypenny knocked on the door of the attic bedroom. “Phone for you, Daniel.”

Dan tossed aside the paperback true crime novel he had been reading and took the cordless phone.

“Dan, you have to help me.”

Dan raised his eyebrows, even though Mart couldn't see him. Mart had been erratic for days, ranting about how Diana was cheating on him, and refusing to listen to Dan's assurances that she wasn't.

“What can I do for you?” Dan asked, dreading the answer.

“I need to know.”

The four simple words were spoken in a calm voice, and Dan knew that Mart's attitude had undergone a significant shift.

“What do you mean?” Dan asked cautiously.

“I need to know if she's cheating on me. That Jack Ash is after her, and I think she's interested. I need to know for sure.”

Dan pinched the bridge of his nose. “And how are you going to do that?”

Mart hesitated, and his voice dropped. “I want you to set something up so they have an opportunity to get together.”

“You what?”

“You heard me.”

Dan sighed. “You're playing a dangerous game, Mart. It's never smart to shove someone you love into an opportunity to mess things up.”

“I didn't start this,” Mart said grimly.

“Well, this will almost certainly finish it,” Dan muttered. Shaking his head, he replied, “I'll see what I can do. But I can pretty much guarantee that you're the only one who's going to come out looking like an idiot.”

Mart blew out a breath. “We'll see about that. Thanks, man.”

Dan hung up and tried to read his novel, but couldn't concentrate. How on earth could he prevent this situation from turning into a miserable disaster?