It was late when Trixie made her way to the kitchen the next morning, but she found she wasn’t the only one who had overslept. Moms was her usual cheerful self, bustling around and cooking enough food to feed an army. Peter Belden had left for work an hour ago. Brian was sitting calmly at the table, eating a breakfast of pancakes and sausages. By the time Trixie plopped into a chair, Bobby and Mart were skidding into the kitchen, struggling through the narrow doorway at the same time.

“Come on, Mart, I’m in a hurry! I want to call and see if Larry and Terry are ready yet. We’re supposed to spend the day tobogganing.”

Mart gave Bobby a playful push toward the door. “So, go already! There’s no one keeping you here!”

Bobby turned to glare at him. “You didn’t really think I’d leave before breakfast, did you?”

Mart sighed. “No, that would be asking for too much.”

Trixie broke in with an amused expression. “So, is this tobogganing event with the male twins, or are the girls invited, too?”

Bobby flushed. “Well, uh...” he stammered.

Helen appeared with a plate stacked with pancakes in time to save Bobby. “Thanks, Moms,” he said with a grin, syrup dripping down his chin as he crammed a loaded fork into his mouth.

Brian glanced up long enough to shake his head. “I hope you didn’t have your shower yet, Bobby. You’re going to need one, if that’s how you eat.”

Bobby stuck out a tongue covered in chunks of pancakes. “That’s Rob to you. I’m a grown-up now.”

Moms, Brian, Mart, and Trixie turned to look at him with identical expressions of disbelief. Bobby rolled his eyes and concentrated on eating. Mart and Trixie exchanged amused glances before turning to their own breakfasts.

After eating in silence for several minutes, Bobby turned to Trixie. He swallowed carefully before asking, “So, where’s Dan?”

There was a delicate silence.

Trixie turned to her mother. “Moms?”

Helen serenely turned from the stove and responded, “He ate an hour or two ago, dear, and left right afterwards. He said something about shopping with Regan.”

Trixie nodded. “That sounds about right. I know he didn’t have time to finish all his shopping before we left.”

Mart raised an eyebrow. “And you did? Aren’t you the Queen of Christmas Eve Shopping, haunted by the Ghosts of Harassed Salespersons?”

“I’ll have you know I finished the majority of my shopping two weeks ago, thank you very much,” she sniffed.

“The majority of? That doesn’t sound like she’s quite finished, does it, Bobby?”

“Well, I do have one or two gifts I’m not sure about,” Trixie admitted. “Maybe I’ll call Honey and see if she can help. She always has good ideas for gifts.” She absent-mindedly ate the last piece of sausage on her plate and offered the rest of her pancakes to Bobby. He took them and tied in with gusto.

“Wow. I thought I’d seen it all, but...”

Bobby didn’t bother to look up. “Hey, food is food. And there's no way I'm letting Moms' pancakes go to waste. Gotta keep my energy up!”

“Energy, eh?” Trixie raised an eyebrow. “So, you were pretty late getting in last night, weren’t you, Bobby?”

He flushed.

“Find much mistletoe in the game preserve?” she continued, enjoying his discomfort.

All eyes were on Bobby.

“I was just walking them home! It can be dangerous in the woods, you know!”

Trixie relented. “Yes, Bobby, it can. It was very chivalrous of you to walk Mandie and Jenny home.”

He crammed the last bite of pancake in his mouth and hurriedly rinsed his plate before heading for the phone in the den.

Mart shook his head. “You know, if I call him Bobby, I get a ten minute lecture on how it’s time to let him grow up. If you call him Bobby, he smiles.”

Brian shook his head. “And just think. He's old enough to vote.”

Trixie laughed as she rinsed her own plate. “I wonder if he’s off the phone yet. I should call Honey and see if she can help me with those last gifts.”

“She should be free today,” Brian informed her. “Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are out of town today and tomorrow, so she doesn’t have any family things going on.”

Trixie nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Well, maybe we can go for a ride, and I can pick her brain.” She turned to her mother. “Thanks for breakfast, Moms. Is there anything you’d like me to do today?”

Helen shook her head. “You go and have fun with Honey. I may need your help later, but this morning I’m just puttering around and getting organized.”

Trixie nodded and ran up the stairs to use the phone. Thirty minutes later, she was showered, dressed, and ready to leave. She covered the distance from Crabapple Farm to the Manor House stables at a brisk pace, enjoying the crisp cold air and the satisfying crunch of clean white snow under her boots. Excited at the prospect of riding for the first time in a very long while, she eagerly entered the stable and smiled at the sight of Susie. She approached the little mare slowly and offered her a carrot. Susie whinnied happily and butted Trixie’s hand several times before using her lips to delicately eat the carrot.

“I missed you, too, Susie,” Trixie murmured. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has.”

Trixie jumped at the unexpected male voice and whirled to see Jim standing in the doorway to Regan’s office, dressed for riding. Tongue-tied, she stood silently and studied his carefully neutral face.

“Honey got an unexpected call about a case she’s working on. She said she expects to be free by the time we get back from our ride.”

Trixie raised her eyebrows.

For the first time, Jim’s face showed emotion. He flushed and looked away. “That is, if you’d like company. You can always ride alone if you want.”

She waited until he looked her in the eye, using the time to try to settle the butterflies in her stomach. “Company sounds good.” Favouring him with a tentative smile before turning back to Susie, she continued. “Besides, I’m not sure I even remember how to ride.”

Jim startled her by appearing suddenly at her side with Susie’s saddle. She darted to the horse's near quarter to let him saddle the horse, almost tripping over her own feet in the process.

“It’ll all come back to you.” Jim's concentration on his task was steadfast, while Trixie wondered if there were multiple meanings to his statement.

When Susie was ready, Jim led her out of the stall. To Trixie’s surprise, he held the stirrup and waited for her to mount. When she hesitated, he grinned and quirked an eyebrow as he teased her.

“You said you’d forgotten how to ride. This is just part of the refresher course.”

Trixie nodded. “And I suppose cleaning the tack will be part of the course, too?”

Jim smiled. “It’s good to know you haven’t forgotten everything.”

“No, not quite everything,” Trixie whispered under her breath as Jim easily settled her on the horse. She closed her eyes as his hands lingered momentarily on her leg and waist, stunned by the power of a touch she hadn’t felt in years. She watched in silence as he led Jupiter out of the barn, and swung up gracefully onto his back.

They rode side by side, and Trixie found herself sneaking furtive glances at her handsome companion. He still rides like a centaur, she noted, blushing as her gaze drifted to his muscular legs.

Jim cleared his throat. “It's a beautiful day,” he said, and Trixie thought he sounded as uncomfortable as she felt.

“Perfect weather for riding,” she agreed. She looked down at her hands, and saw that they were trembling.

“Are you cold?” Jim asked solicitously.

Trixie blushed. “No, not exactly. I'm a little nervous,” she admitted.

Jim raised ginger eyebrows, and Trixie squirmed in the saddle. “It's been a long time,” she said softly.

“Since you've been riding, or...”

“Since I've seen you,” Trixie said, her voice soft.

Jim brought Susie and Jupiter to a slow halt, and Trixie realized that they had ridden far further than she had thought. She flushed as she realized that they were all the way to the abandoned school house, and she had been so distracted by her memories that she couldn't remember most of the ride. Trixie's breath quickened as he gazed intently into her eyes. So much passion, she thought with surprise, then chided herself. I know full well how passionate he can be. She felt colour creep into her face at the remembrance. Nerves had her stomach turning somersaults.

“Carrots,” she blurted.

Jim stared at her. “Excuse me?”

“Carrots,” Trixie repeated, patting her pocket. “I told Susie that I would feed her a carrot while we were out riding.”

Jim glanced down at the horses, and then reluctantly dismounted. Trixie followed suit, but panicked when she realized that Jim had returned to help her. The clumsiness she thought she had left behind returned in full force as she scrambled down off the mare, but Jim steadied her. His grip firm on her upper arms, he turned her to face him.

Trixie froze. Her heart hammering, she stared at the broad chest blocking her. She felt her mouth go dry.

Susie whickered, surprising both of them. With a nervous laugh, Trixie darted away from Jim. “I think Susie heard me mention the carrot,” she said, her voice breathless.

Jim moved aside, and Trixie gently offered Susie the carrot. Trixie's breathing returned to normal as she watched the mare enjoy the treat. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jupiter butt Jim's arm, as if to say, “Where's my treat?”

“Okay, okay,” Jim laughed. He fished an apple out of his pocket and held it out for Jupiter to take.

Trixie giggled. “I should have known Jupe wouldn't want to be left out.”

Jim patted the black horse's nose. “He and I have a lot in common,” he said. Jim left Jupiter and returned to Trixie's side. He didn't touch her, but Trixie could feel every nerve ending in her body tingle. But this time her nervousness was not caused by Jim's proximity. When the hair on the back of her neck stood up, Trixie knew that she was being watched, and not by Jim.

“Trixie, I--”

Jim's words were lost on her as she scanned the woods around them and saw a flash of sunlight reflecting off something, or someone. Who was watching them? Trixie shivered, despite her warm winter coat.

“Have you had any poachers recently?” she demanded.

Jim frowned. “Not that I know of. But, Trixie, I wanted--”

She absent-mindedly fingered the chain around her neck. The foreboding, the sense of danger she had felt in Virginia was back, and stronger than before.

Jim stopped talking when he realized that Trixie wasn’t paying attention. His eyes narrowed. “I know that look. What mystery are you working on now?”

She flushed. “I’m not. I just...” she paused.

“Saw something mysterious?” Jim teased, and casually draped his arm around her shoulders.

“Something like that.” Warmed by Jim’s friendliness, Trixie tried to shake off the uneasy feeling the flash in the trees had caused.

“We should probably get the horses back to the stable.”

Trixie nodded. “With Regan out Christmas shopping with Dan, it looks like we’re stuck taking care of these beasts.” She patted Susie to reassure her that she really didn’t mean it, and tried to ignore the stony expression that settled on Jim’s face at the mention of Dan. Before Jim could offer assistance, she mounted Susie and turned back down the path, determined to lighten the mood.

“Last one to the stable has to clean the tack!” she called out, and chuckled as Jim scrambled to mount.

“Oh, no, you don’t! I know better than to accept a challenge from you! I haven’t forgotten our last race.” Jim called out, but he still strove to catch up.

Trixie’s laugh rang through the preserve. “Well, technically, I don’t think either of us won that time. Come on, what’s taking so long?”

Allowing Trixie to maintain her narrow lead, Jim chuckled ruefully when they reached the stables. “Looks like you win again, Shamus.”

Trixie swallowed both her impatience and her pride and allowed Jim to help her dismount. Standing in his arms, she kept her hands on his forearms and commented, “Personally, I thought we both won that race.”

Jim swallowed audibly, and Trixie knew he was recalling a certain snowy path, the race, the tackle, the tickling, and the subsequent steamy kiss. He pressed closer to her, and a tender expression covered his face. In his eyes, she could almost see the images he was remembering. She caught her breath and found herself drowning in the tide and flow of memories. Just when she thought he would kiss her, he released her and said, “You’re right. We both won that time.”

Turning away, he grasped Susie’s reins and called over his shoulder, “I’m sure Honey’s finished with her call by now. Why don’t you go see?”

She frowned. “I was kidding about the tack, Jim. I don’t mind helping.”

Still walking away from her, he said, “I’ll take care of it. Have fun.”

Biting her lip, Trixie thanked him and headed toward the house, wondering what exactly was going through his mind.

Trixie cautiously knocked on Honey’s door and entered. “Hi, Honey. Miss Trask said to come up, and…”

Honey smiled and almost ran across the room from her spot in the window seat. An enthusiastic hug reassured Trixie of their steadfast friendship. “You’re always welcome here. Now,” Honey settled herself on the bed and pulled Trixie down to join her. “What exactly happened on that ride?”

Trixie’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Actually, I’m more interested in this sudden extremely important phone call of yours.”

“Oh, no you don’t. I have a pretty clear view of the stables from this window, and--”

“You were spying on us?” A delighted grin covered Trixie’s face. “Honey Wheeler! I didn’t know you still had it in you!”

She rolled her eyes. “Once a detective, always a detective. Besides, just because I work in a lab now doesn’t mean I’ve lost my...” she cleared her throat, “surveillance skills.”

“Surveillance skills? Is that what they’re calling it now? I’m going to have to remember that the next time Mart accuses me of snooping. Surveillance has a much nicer ring to it.”

“Yes, it does, but you’re avoiding the question, Miss Belden.”

Trixie groaned and leaned back against the pillows. “Has anyone ever told you you’re more persistent than you used to be?”

“Yes. Now answer the question. Did you and Jim finally talk?”

She shrugged. “I guess you could call it talking.”

Honey’s eyes widened. “What? You mean--”

Rolling her eyes, Trixie smacked her with a pillow. “Not that kind of talking! I just meant, we had a nice ride and we seem to be getting along.”

“Well, it’s a start.” Honey took the pillow Trixie had thrown, positioning it under her chest as she lay on her stomach. She stared at her best friend, her brow creased in thought. “Food. We definitely need some girl-talk food.”

“Honey, it’s,” Trixie checked her watch, “eleven-thirty. In the morning.”

“Your point being? I’ll ask Cook to make us a special lunch.” She winked. “You haven’t met the new cook, have you?”

Trixie eyed her friend with suspicion. “No.”

Honey's nod was decisive. “Then it’s settled. I’ll just run down to the kitchen for a minute.”

“Why do I get the feeling I’m missing out on something here?”

Honey smirked as she closed the door behind her. “Oh, you’ll see. Let’s just say it will be a hot lunch.”

Shaking her head, Trixie took the opportunity to inspect Honey’s bedroom. Not much had changed since they were teenagers. The room was still beautifully decorated and filled with various pictures and mementos. She smiled as she saw a framed picture of the Bob Whites that was identical to her own that had been damaged in the break-in. I’ll have to ask her for a copy, she thought, tracing the frame with her finger.

She studied Honey’s college graduation picture, feeling a pang of regret. Where was I on her graduation day? Prague? Barcelona? I don’t even remember anymore. She stared at the happy smiles on the faces of Honey’s parents, Jim, Brian, Mart, and Diana. Only she and Dan were missing. Was it worth it? Was whatever I was doing worth missing Honey’s graduation? Trixie frowned. You love your job, she told herself sternly. Since when do you have doubts? You knew what you were getting into when you signed up for this.

She resolutely turned away from the picture and sat back down on Honey’s bed. Within moments, Honey returned, her eyes dancing.

“Oh, Trixie, I just can’t tell you how wonderful it is having you home for the holidays. It almost feels like old times. In fact,” she giggled, “I’m tempted to have Miss Trask call your mom and ask if you can come over for a sleepover.”

Trixie giggled with her. “They’d both get a kick out of that. ‘Mrs. Belden, can Trixie come out and play?’”

A voice in the doorway startled them. “I thought teenage girls were supposed to play Truth or Dare, not Mother May I,” Jim teased.

“Jim!” Honey jumped and threw a pillow at him. “You know better to surprise us when we’re laughing! It’s a good thing we haven’t started on the pop yet, or there might be real trouble!”

“You know you outgrew your pop-related difficulties years ago.”

“A few more scares like that, and they’ll come right back, I assure you!”

“Well, to make up for my boorish behaviour, can I invite you ladies to join me for lunch?” Jim’s eyes lingered on the unusually silent Trixie.

“It’s the other way around, dear brother. Trixie and I plan to enjoy a special lunch, served hot, right here. If you care to join us, you may.”

Jim raised his eyebrows. “Served hot, you say?” He shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve recovered from the last time you and Di had lunch up here.”

Unable to control her curiosity, Trixie piped up, “What on earth are you talking about? It’s just lunch, isn’t it?”

Jim turned to Honey in amusement. “She has no idea, does she?”

Honey shook her head. “Are you sure you won’t stay? There’ll be plenty of food.”

“Oh, I’m definitely in. This, I have to see.” Jim fixed an intent look on Trixie.

She stared at them in bewilderment. “You guys are nuts. I have no idea what you’re talking about, but if the food here is even half as good as it’s always been, it should be a wonderful meal.”

Honey smiled. “I always enjoy the food here. Why do you think I come home so often?”

Jim shook his head. “And here I thought it was to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, the comforts of a childhood home, and the company of your loving family, friends, and significant other.”

“Well, there’s that, too.”

Twenty minutes later, the subtle clearing of a throat alerted their attention. A cart laden with steaming dishes stood ready. Distracted by the containers of onions, salsa, peppers, sour cream, chicken, beef, and other foods, it took Trixie a few moments to notice the man behind the cart. Her eyes widened in silent appreciation as she observed his handsome features and longish, slick black hair. Dark, passionate eyes complimented his olive skin tone. Almost immediately, however, she was distracted by the fact that the man was wearing a shirt that was mostly unbuttoned. A well-formed chest with a generous sprinkling of dark curly hair was clearly visible behind the cart. With a valiant struggle not to let her eyes linger on his amply muscled torso, she turned to Honey and whispered, “This is the new cook?”

Honey grinned. “Trixie, I’d like you to meet Antonio. Antonio, this is my good friend, Trixie.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Trixie.”

She noted a trace of an accent in his voice. Focusing diligently on his eyes instead of his perfectly chiselled chest, she asked, “Are you from Greece, Antonio?”

He looked up in surprise. “I’ve lived in the United States for many years. I didn’t realize my accent was still noticeable.”

Trixie realized her mistake. “It isn’t noticeable at all. It’s just that I had a friend from Greece in college, and…” she shrugged.

Antonio smiled, revealing gleaming white teeth. “Miss Honey, shall I serve?”

“Please do.” Honey elbowed Trixie as Antonio wheeled the cart into the room. “Well?” she silently mouthed.

Trixie grinned. “Lunch looks delicious, Antonio. But,” she paused, her curiosity getting the better of her, “is there a reason you’re…” she paused.

“In costume?” Antonio smiled again and directed an intense look towards her, while Honey surreptitiously kicked her foot. Jim alternated between fixing a penetrating glare on Antonio, and watching Trixie’s reaction. Antonio continued, “I like to make dining a full visual experience. Today you will be dining on traditional Mexican foods. I’m trying to create a resort atmosphere to heighten your dining experience. I am Antonio, the cabana boy, at your service.”

As he uncovered the hot dishes, Honey whispered under her breath, “You should see what he wears for Hawaiian pizza night.”

Sudden visions of the handsome cook in a grass skirt filled Trixie’s mind and she fought to maintain a dignified demeanour.

Taking pity on her friend, Honey smiled at the cook. “Thank you, Antonio. We can handle it from here.”

With a wide smile and appreciative glance for both women, Antonio left the room. One look at each other, and the girls were lost in a world of uncontrollable giggles.

“Hello? I am still here, ladies.” Jim stood patiently, shaking his head and enjoying the obvious camaraderie between Honey and Trixie.

“Sorry, Jim,” Honey gasped.

He rolled his eyes. “Right. Well, now that you’ve had your fun, can we eat?”

“No way!” Trixie shook her head, blonde curls bouncing. “You can't just spring someone like Antonio and not give me the whole story!” She grabbed Honey's arm. “Talk, Miss Wheeler.”

Honey giggled. “Well, about a year ago, Daddy hired a new secretary.”

“Let me guess,” Trixie interrupted. “A young, pretty secretary?”

“She was the best-qualified applicant!” Jim protested.

Trixie shook her head. “Of course she was.” She grinned at her best friend. “So, Mrs. Wheeler took it upon herself to fight fire with fire, did she?”

Honey nodded. “You should have seen Daddy's face.” She began snickering again. “His first night here, Antonio served Spanish food. Dressed as a matador.”

Trixie's eyes widened. “No!” She pictured Antonio in full matador-regalia, and fought the urge to lick her lips.

“Yes!” Honey insisted. “I've never seen Daddy's face so red. I thought he was going to explode! But then he tasted the food.” She shrugged. “Antonio is the best cook we've ever had. And really, Daddy had to know that Mother wouldn't put up with the whole gorgeous secretary thing.”

Despite periodic lapses into giggling, the girls and Jim fixed their plates and settled themselves. Jim sat at Honey’s desk, while Honey and Trixie lounged on the bed with carefully balanced plates.

After several mouthfuls of the delicious spicy tacos and nachos, Jim observed, “Well, Trix, you did better than Di at the hot lunch initiation. She actually had to leave the room for a few minutes.”

“Be fair, Jim. Antonio also stayed quite a bit longer that time.” She eyed her brother thoughtfully. “I don’t think you glared at Antonio quite as hard when Di was here.”

Jim blushed and changed the topic. “So, Honey, did you clear up the problem at work?”

It was Honey’s turn to flush. “Yes, everything is fine.”

Jim narrowed his eyes and studied her averted face. “I see. So, you won’t have to make an emergency trip into the city?”

“No, everything is under control.” She studied her meal intently.

“That’s good. It’s a real shame you had to miss out on a ride. I know Lady misses you.”

Honey rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay. I’ll go riding.” Her eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “I think Brian will be available later today. I always enjoy spending time riding with my significant other. Don’t you?” Her eyes were wide and innocent.

The room was silent.

Jim quickly finished his meal and announced, “Well, I have a few things to do to get ready for the Bob-White Christmas Eve party. I’ll leave you two to your girl talk.”

As soon as he left the room, Trixie smacked Honey with a pillow.

“What was that for?” Honey asked as she rescued her plate.

“Let’s see. Antonio? Faking a phone call? Riding with a ‘significant other’? Should I go on?”

Honey popped a nacho with peppers, sour cream, and cheese into her mouth. “First, Antonio was fun, and you know it. I dare you to complain about him after you’ve experienced a Belgian waffle breakfast. Second, I really did get a phone call. Granted, it was someone letting me know they were sick and couldn’t come in to work, but it was a genuine phone call from work. And third, ‘significant other’ was merely a gentle prod.”

“Belgian waffle breakfast?” Trixie whispered, and it was several minutes before the girls could speak.

“Oh, Honey,” Trixie finally gasped. “You were wrong. This is even better than old times.”

Honey gave her old friend a delighted grin and an impulsive hug. “That it is, Trix, that it is. Now, didn’t you need some help with Christmas presents?”

“Oh! Right! I’d almost forgotten. I really just wanted to check with you and make sure the gifts are okay.” She frowned. “I feel like I hardly know some of the Bob-Whites anymore, and…”

Honey nodded knowingly. “No problem.”

As Trixie explained the gifts she had purchased, she couldn’t help thinking how wonderful it was to be home, and spending time with the best friends in the world.