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February 1992

Dan peered anxiously in the small bathroom mirror and hoped that he looked all right. It’s just Jim, Trixie and Honey, he silently reasoned with himself. It’s not like this is an actual date or anything. Pushing away any further thought on the matter, he turned sharply and left the bathroom.

During lunch that day, Trixie suggested that the four of them go out together. It had seemed rather like the group outings they had gone on when they were younger. Now that the appointed time had almost arrived, the event had grown in his mind to enormous proportions. Despite what he told himself, it really did feel like a first date.

In the living area, he forced himself to sit casually on the sofa, as if this was no big deal. The minutes passed slowly. Jim was nowhere to be seen and their other roommate, Ethan, had already left for the evening. After what seemed like hours, Dan heard a knock at the door and opened it to find Trixie and Honey.

“Where’s Jim?” Trixie asked, stepping past him. “Isn’t he ready yet? It’s time to go.”

“Hi, Dan,” Honey said, giving him a look which made him feel that the effort of getting ready was not wasted. “You look nice.”

“So do you,” he said with a smile. In the background, Trixie was banging on Jim’s door and telling him to hurry up. “You look beautiful.”

Honey smiled her thanks. Say something intelligent, Dan told himself in near desperation, but his mind was completely blank. Behind him, Jim’s door opened and the sounds of an affectionate greeting reached them. For several long moments, Dan fidgeted with the buttons on his jacket and felt awkward.

“Shall we?” asked Jim, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. With a general murmur of agreement, the four made their way outside and were soon on their way.

They reached the cafe which Jim and Trixie had chosen and found a square table near the window. Soft music was playing and there was a general background hum of quiet conversations around them. Dan leaned back in his chair and took it all in.

Honey began an enthusiastic conversation with her brother on something she had learned in her psychology class, leaving Dan and Trixie to talk amongst themselves.

“We’ll leave them to talk gobbledygook together,” Trixie said quietly. “So, when are you going to ask her out?”

Matchmaking? That’s all I need, Dan thought to himself. Aloud, he said, “Ask who?”

Trixie smiled knowingly. “Answer the question, Danny.”

Why did I agree to this? “I’m not going to.”

“Ooh,” said Trixie. “Waiting for her to make the first move. How very new age of you.”

“Quit it, will you?” He turned away slightly, not wanting her to see how annoyed he was. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Oh-kay,” she replied slowly. “Did you know that Honey’s favourite flowers are daffodils?”

Honey and Jim looked up sharply as Dan’s hand came down hard on the table top. Dan looked sheepish and apologised quickly. Thanks a lot, Trixie, he thought. If you ever suggest that we double-date again, I’m leaving town. Beside him, Trixie grinned from ear to ear.

As the other two went back to their conversation, Dan whispered, “Leave it alone, Trixie. I mean it.”

She looked thoughtful for a few moments then said, “If you want to talk about it sometime, just say the word.” Before he could answer she started talking about something else.

The four chatted together through their meal, laughing often. As they were finishing, the conversation turned to the trip that the Bob-Whites had taken to New York. They all agreed that it seemed like a terribly long time ago.

“Why don’t we re-enact that trip - or the visit to the Empire State Building, at least,” Honey suggested, her eyes shining. “I’d love to look out over the city lights again.”

“Now?” Jim asked, looking at his watch. “I guess it’s not too late.”

Trixie was enthusiastic, so the four left the cafe and made their way to the famous building. Soon, they were in the elevator, on their way to the first observation deck.

“We’re not going to meet any bad guys this time, are we?” Trixie asked, with a giggle. “I don’t want to have to run down the stairs.”

“You haven’t been buying statues with diamonds in them recently, have you Trixie?” Honey giggled in return. “You should be safe.”

The elevator doors opened and the four stepped out. Moments later, they were looking down at the world. Jim stood behind Trixie and put his arms around her, holding her tight. With a nod, Honey indicated that Dan should follow her.

“We’ll leave them to be romantic on their own,” she whispered, taking his arm and leading him away. “I don’t really need to see them kissing.”

Dan smiled. “I guess I should probably take you home after this,” he said. “They’ll want to be alone together.” He knew that Trixie and Jim had been dating for over a year by now.

Honey looked at him oddly. “They won’t,” she said. “You’ve been sharing with him for how long without working that out?” She muttered, half under her breath, “Men are so clueless sometimes.”

“What are you talking about?” He was genuinely puzzled and it showed clearly on his face. “Or, don’t I want to know?”

She smothered a smile. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out for yourself pretty soon.” She turned away from him, back towards the view. “Don’t you wish that you could see the stars?” she asked wistfully. “I mean, an entire sky full of stars, like you can see in Sleepyside.”

He nodded, looking out at the twinkling lights of the city. Suddenly, there was a voice in his ear, whispering, “This is the part where you sweep her off her feet and kiss her.”

Dan jumped violently and turned on Trixie, whose face was a picture of angelic innocence. In his anger, he could think of nothing scathing enough to say to her which would not give away what she had said. Instead, he scowled at her darkly and walked away.

“Will you two stop squabbling?” Jim suggested with a laugh. “Honestly, Trixie, you’d think that it was Mart here instead of Dan.”

Trixie smiled impishly and ran to catch up with Dan. “That’s a great idea,” she said, puzzling him greatly. Laughing, she explained, “You can be my surrogate brother, seeing as my real ones have deserted me. Deal?”

He looked down at her, searching her face. “Deal,” he said finally, shaking her hand. “That way, I can keep you in line.”

“Good luck, Danny,” she replied, grinning widely.

All too soon, it was time to leave. Jim and Dan escorted the girls home and once again Dan was left talking to Honey while the other couple said their fond farewells.

“This has been really, uh, nice,” Dan said, suddenly uncomfortable. “We should do it again sometime.”

“Mmm,” Honey agreed, looking at her feet. “That would be, uh, nice.”

They both laughed self-consciously. Not far away, Jim and Trixie’s goodbyes drew to an end and Trixie stepped inside. With a soft “Goodnight,” Honey followed.

“You two seemed to be getting along well,” Jim commented lightly as they walked away. “The whole thing worked out a lot better than I thought it would.”

“Yeah,” Dan agreed softly. “I had a pretty good time.”

The following afternoon, Dan tracked Trixie down to have a serious talk with her. He was determined to stop this game that she was playing, trying to play matchmaker between himself and Honey. After a long search, he found her in the library, studying.

“I’d like a word with you, little sister,” he whispered. “Let’s go outside.”

She gathered up her books and they walked together out into the foyer, where no one would object to quiet conversation. Trixie spotted a bench next to the wall and went to claim it.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked, dumping her belongings in an untidy heap.

“I have a favour to ask you,” Dan replied and waited for her nod. “Stop messing around with Honey and me.” He held up his hand to quell her objection. “I know that you mean well and that you just want us both to be happy, but we don’t need you pushing us together.”

Trixie did not reply for a long minute.

“Please, Trixie?” Dan asked. He hid a smile. “I don’t want to have to avoid you - or worse.”

“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed. She smiled cheekily. “But I still think you should ask her out.”

March 1992

Dan sat alone in the shared area of the apartment, trying to make an important decision. During the last few weeks, he and Honey had been on several double dates with Jim and Trixie. It was getting harder and harder to deny that there was a strong attraction between them.

The problem was he did not know whether it would be wise to pursue a relationship with her, considering their backgrounds. If they did start something, would they have a future together? Somehow, Dan did not think so.

Okay, he decided, let’s be rational. I’ll just weigh up the pros and cons. Pros: She’s gorgeous, she’s intelligent, I think she wants me, we’re already friends. That’s pretty good.

He got up and started to pace around the room. Cons: Her family would hate it, she’s probably just looking for a fling- he broke off the thought, mindful of another experience not so long ago. That’s enough, actually. I think I’ll just forget it.

Just as he was making up his mind that there could never be anything between himself and Honey, there was a knock at the door. He could not help but look surprised as he opened the door to find Honey with the most intense look on her face that he could remember seeing.

“Jim’s not here,” he began, feeling more uncomfortable than he had in years.

“I know,” she replied, smiling softly. “I came to see you.”

“You did?” Oh, boy, am I in trouble, he thought. “I suppose you should come in.”

He led the way over to the sofa and tried to sit in a position where they could have some space between them. The last thing he needed was for her to get too close. He had enough trouble thinking straight without that.

“There’s something I want us to talk about,” she said in a tone of voice he had never heard from her before. “I think we could be more to each other than just friends.”

“What did you have in mind?” he asked with a slow smile. Maybe I was overreacting, he thought. Maybe we could have something together.

She leaned over and kissed him, long, slow, and with an intensity that took his breath away. After what seemed like hours she pulled away and looked deep into his eyes. Dan returned the look, wondering how he could have doubted her, how he could ever have thought that they did not belong together.

“I’ll let you do that again,” he said, smiling softly. “Any time you like.”

“Good,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll hold you to that.”

April 1992

The engine of Honey’s car purred as she drove towards home. Two nights ago, Regan’s wife had given birth to a little boy and Dan was eager to see his new cousin. Of course, not having a car of his own meant that he had to wait until someone could take him.

“Do you mind talking while you drive?” Dan asked, unsure of whether it would bother her.

“Depends,” she said with a smile. “What do you want to talk about?”

Dan thought for a moment. “Us,” he said finally. “Are you serious about us, or is this just a fling?” In the three weeks since she first kissed him, they had never discussed the future and it was beginning to bother him.

She took her eyes off the road for a moment to survey his face. “Of course it’s not just a fling,” she said. “I’m over that sort of thing.”

“Are you?” he asked, still feeling a little unsure. “I think we need to be clear on this. I’m not just looking for something casual.”

“Neither am I,” she replied.

Some time later, they arrived at Sleepyside Hospital. The very atmosphere of the place gave Dan the creeps but he tried to keep that on the inside. They made their way to the maternity section, asking for directions on the way.

The instant they entered the room, Dan’s attention was taken up by his two-and-a-half-year-old cousin, Gianna. He smiled as she said, “Dan! Look! It’s a new baby!” and strode forward to give her a hug. The little girl was perched on the side of the bed, next to her mother.

“Congratulations, Isabella,” he said softly, leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Oh, not too bad,” she replied. “We’re getting along pretty well, aren’t we, sweetie?”

“’Cept Daddy can’t make buh-sketti like Mamma can,” Gianna added.

“No one makes spaghetti as well as your Mamma,” Dan agreed.

The little girl pouted. “No, it’s called ‘buh-sketti,’” she said.

The two adults exchanged a look and Dan dutifully corrected his pronunciation. As he did so, he noticed for the first time that Honey was now holding baby Philip and that his Uncle Bill was standing right next to her. He greeted his uncle and walked over to see the new arrival.

She looks like she hardly knows what to do with him, he thought in awe. I thought girls were supposed to instinctively know that stuff.

Minutes later their positions were reversed. Honey was looking at him strangely while he held onto this tiny bundle.

“You look like you’re afraid you’ll break him,” his girlfriend giggled.

Dan tried to look offended but felt that he had failed. “You might as well know that you looked that way, too,” he said.

Philip let out a surprisingly loud cry and Dan quickly gave him back to his mother.

“I think he’s hungry,” she said. Dan and Honey left her to feed him.

May 1992

A steady rain was falling outside as Dan and Honey lay curled up together in his room. They had originally come in here to study, but inevitably it had not lasted long. Dan knew that he would have to do some more work pretty soon, but was unwilling to let go just yet.

“What are you thinking about?” Honey asked softly.

“How much I don’t want to get up,” he replied, smiling into her hair. “And all the things I should be doing instead of this.”

She groaned in response. “I guess I shouldn’t have distracted you,” she said, tickling his chest with a light touch. “You’re just too much of a temptation.”

“Stop it,” he said, laughing and grabbing her hand. “We’ll never get any studying done if you keep that up.”

Honey groaned again and sat up. “Okay, slave driver,” she said. “We’ll get back to work, if you insist.”

He looked at her longingly for a few long moments then shut his eyes. I need to study, he told himself sternly. There’ll be plenty of time for this after exams. A mutinous little voice added, If we’re still together by then. Unconsciously, his brow creased into a frown.

“What’s wrong now?” she asked.

He opened his eyes to find her looking down at him with concern. “There’s something that we need to talk about sometime,” he said. “I’m just not sure whether this is the right time.”

“You’re not going to tell me that you’re gay, are you?” Honey asked. “Or, that there’s someone else? Or, that you’ve-”

“Honey!” he interrupted, not sure whether to be amused or appalled. “I might as well just tell you. With your imagination you’ll be thinking any minute now that I’m about to go on an expedition to the Antarctic.”

“No,” she replied, apparently serious. “I was actually thinking more about somewhere with jungles. How about the Amazon?”

He laughed softly and drew her back down next to him. “Reign in the imagination,” he said. “It’s just that I’ve been thinking that I owe you an explanation of something.”

“You do?” she asked, just as softly. “Of what?”

Dan closed his eyes again and snuggled in next to her. “Of why I keep asking you if you really mean this to be more than a fling.”

She began to gently rub his back. “I was beginning to wonder about that.”

“Without going into details,” he said, hesitating to get the wording right, “the reason I transferred in the middle of the year was to get away from a situation which was becoming intolerable.”

Honey pulled back to look at his face. “Are you trying to tell me you’re on the rebound?”

He did not answer straight away. “I don’t think I am,” he said finally. “It’s like this: I went on a blind date, set up by my roommate. This was before I found out that he has the worst taste you can imagine.” He put his fingers to her lips. “No, I don’t want to hear what you imagine. Anyway, I went on the date and she was-” He broke off, shuddering.

“Horrible?” Honey supplied. “Ugly? Rude? Disgusting? Give me a clue here.”

“None of those. Let’s just say that she wasn’t my type.”

“Am I your type?”

Dan looked at her fondly. “Yeah,” he said. “Mostly.”

“Only mostly?” she said indignantly. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing,” he laughed. “You’re just not exactly my ideal.” As she pouted at him he hurried to explain. “If you were exactly my type, you’d have hair that’s long enough for me to run my fingers through.” He tugged at a short strand. “And why do you dye it? I like your own colour better.”

She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Is that all?”

“And you wouldn’t do that weird thing with your eyebrows,” he added with a grin.

Honey seemed to consider. “Okay, then. Getting back to beast-woman…”

He paused, confused. “Oh, you mean my bad date,” he said, with a surprised laugh. “Well, I went out with her this one time and it was pretty awful. Then, the next day she calls me. And the next day. And the one after. And then she started following me.”

“She stalked you?” Honey asked. “What does this have to do with flings?”

“I’m getting to that,” he replied patiently. “So, this goes on for a while. She keeps trying to see me and find out things about me and I keep trying to get away. Then, one day it just stopped.” He paused, once again searching for the right words. “Soon after that, I went on a date with someone that I actually liked and we got on really well. I saw her again a few times - quite a lot of times, actually.”

“What happened next?” Honey murmured.

“We went for a picnic, somewhere way out in the country. We took her car,” he said. “Then, when I was, um, in a position where I couldn’t exactly defend myself-” He broke off, embarrassed.

“What happened?” Honey asked again.

“She told me that the beast-woman, as you called her, was her friend and that she hated me for hurting her and she left me there.”

Honey giggled. “You mean, without your clothes? How did you get back?”

“I wasn’t going to share that detail.” Dan had turned rather red. “Some passers-by took pity on me. And don’t laugh. It’s not funny.”

“So, to sum up,” Honey said, smothering a smile, “you got stalked by a crazy woman, she sent her lesbian lover out to seduce you then had her leave you, naked, out in the countryside with no way to get home. I can see why that’s not remotely funny.” She could barely contain her laughter.

“Lesbian lover?” Dan asked, mortified. “You think they were bi? I didn’t think of that. Thanks a lot, Honey, for that disgusting image.”

She ruffled his hair affectionately. “You’re welcome,” she said with a smirk. “Now, if I promise you that I’m not anyone’s lesbian lover come to seek revenge, can we get some studying done?”

“Only after I’ve told you the last bit,” he replied. “After I got back, I found out that she’d told people things about me. Private things - and lies.”

“What people? Your classmates?”

He nodded. “And my roommate. It made things pretty uncomfortable.”

Honey’s laughter had completely subsided now. “That’s terrible, Dan,” she said. “I promise you that no matter what happens between us, I’ll never make any of it public.”

“Thanks, Honey,” he replied, kissing her cheek. “I promise you the same thing.”

June 1992

The morning after they had both finished with their exams, Honey treated Dan to a few days away together at a mystery location. All that she would tell him in advance was that he should wear comfortable, old clothes. When she arrived to pick him up, her little car was packed so full that he could hardly fit his small bag in.

“So, do I get to know where we’re going yet?” he asked, not expecting an answer.

Honey grinned and shook her head. “Not until we get there. It’s a surprise.”

Dan decided to relax and enjoy the ride. It was a long drive. After two hours of travelling north, Honey stopped the car for a snack and to let Dan take the wheel. Even then, she only gave him directions as he needed them.

Another two hours later, they stopped for lunch. Dan was beginning to wonder whether they were going all the way to the Canadian border and beyond, but when Honey took the wheel again she said that they were almost there.

Soon, she stopped the car to open a gate marked, ‘Private Property. No Trespassing.’ The car moved slowly along the unsealed road. Trees crowded on either side, cutting any view of the place she had brought them.

Suddenly, the trees ended and they were looking out at a lake. To one side was a rustic old cabin, looking more as if it had grown there than been built. At the edge of the lake was a small dock. There were no other structures in sight.

“Here we are,” Honey said. “What do you think?”

Dan smiled. “Nice spot,” he replied, opening his door and getting out. “Rather basic, though,” he added, getting a better look. And isolated, he added silently.

Honey was rummaging around in the back of the car. “Here it is,” she cried triumphantly, holding up a bunch of keys. “Open the place up,” she said, throwing them to him, “and I’ll start bringing things in.”

He crossed the wide verandah, which faced the lake, and examined the lock. He was surprised to find that it was a modern one, apparently quite new. He quickly selected the right key and opened the door.

At first, the inside seemed incredibly cluttered. There were big, solid pieces of furniture stacked everywhere. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, however, Dan realised that they belonged out on the verandah.

“Oh,” Honey exclaimed from behind him. “I forgot that we’d have to move these first.” To Dan’s amazement, she pulled on the nearest chair and the whole stack moved effortlessly. After an instant, he realised that they were stacked on a palette which had wheels.

“For a second there I thought you’d gained super powers,” he joked. “You scared me.”

Honey laughed and told him to take the other palette. In a few minutes, she had the blinds drawn and their belongings were all inside the tiny building. While Honey made the bed, Dan set to work on the outdoor furniture.

“Now, I’m all hot,” he complained when she joined him a few minutes later. “And I haven’t seen a shower in this place.”

“There isn’t one,” Honey agreed, helping him move a table. “No running water.” She smiled slyly. “There is, however, a lake.”

Dan looked over his shoulder at the expanse of water and frowned. “It looks cold.” He set the last chair in place. “But I guess it’s better than being hot and sticky.”

“Of course it is,” his girlfriend said enthusiastically. “Now, get your gear off and we’ll go for a swim.”

A few minutes later the pair made their way down the slope to the dock, each wrapped in a soft clean towel. As Dan had predicted, the water was very cold and it took Honey several minutes to convince him to get in.

“Do I have to come out there and get you?” she asked, pretending to be angry. “I never knew you were so afraid of cold water.”

Dan sat down on the dock and pulled the towel firmly around himself. “I’m more afraid of being abandoned in the middle of nowhere,” he said honestly.

Honey gasped. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t even think of that angle.”

“I know you didn’t,” he replied. “And I know you wouldn’t do that to me.”

“Come here,” she said softly. “I’ll make you feel all better.”

Taking a deep breath, Dan pushed down his fear and joined her in the water.

A few hours later, the two sat under the stars with a small fire blazing in front of them. They had decided to cook outside rather than light a fire in the fireplace. The night was too warm to heat up the cabin that much.

“I think I ate too much,” Honey said with a little groan. “When did you learn to be such a good cook?”

Dan shrugged, noncommittal.

Honey lay back on the blanket and gazed up into the night sky. Above her, the deep black was punctuated with countless stars. She sighed contentedly and pointed with one hand. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Her boyfriend lay back next to her and looked. “It is,” he agreed. “It reminds me of living in Sleepyside when we were younger and going outside at night.”

Suddenly, Honey giggled. “I remembered something the other night,” she said. “I’ve been meaning to tell you about it.”

He turned to look at her and prompted her to go on.

“When I was about fourteen,” she said, “I had a dream about you.” She stopped and smiled.

“I’m not sure that I want to hear this,” Dan said, pretending to be wary.

Honey giggled again. “We were somewhere in the game preserve,” she recalled. “You were standing there in that James Dean stance, wearing your black leather jacket and you looked so handsome.” She paused to giggle some more. “Then you came up to me and caught me in your arms. I swooned, and you kissed me - just like in the movies.”

“Why are you telling me this?” he asked. “Am I supposed to emulate it or something?” He thought, I guess I could dig out that old jacket - it might still fit.

“Just wait until you hear the next part,” she said, laughing. “The scene kind of shifted and we were suddenly inside and I was hugely pregnant and I said-” She broke off, unable to stop laughing at the look on his face. “I said, ‘Oh, Dan! I think I might be pregnant!’ and you said, ‘No, I think you’ve just put on some weight.’ Then I woke up.”

“Definitely not,” he said. “I take my previous comment back.” And the jacket can stay where it is, he decided. If there’s one thing we don’t need right now, it’s that.

The rest of their time away went very quickly. The two spent hours wandering around the property and swimming in the lake. Each evening they ate their meal under the stars and talked late into the night. The last night at the cabin as they curled up together in bed, Honey brought up a subject that Dan had been dreading.

“If you moved in with me, we could do this every night,” she said sleepily.

A few weeks prior to their trip, Honey had announced that dorm life did not suit her and that she would be finding an apartment for herself for the next semester. Ever since that day, she had been trying to convince Dan to share it with her.

“I thought I told you that I don’t want to move in,” he said, all thought of sleep leaving him. How many times do I have to say ‘no’ before she accepts it? he wondered.

As Honey drifted peacefully off to sleep, Dan’s thoughts turned to a half-forgotten memory. In his mind’s eye he was a small child again, sneaking out of bed at night. He could hear his parents talking in the next room.

“I don’t think we should let Danny play with those children again,” his father was saying. “The parents aren’t even married.”

“The poor kids can’t help that,” his mother replied. “It won’t do him any harm if it’s just once in a while.”

“You can’t be too careful,” said his father. “Children need strong role models. We don’t want him growing up to be like-”

Suddenly, his mother was standing in front of him saying, “Back to bed, now, Danny.”

As the images played over and over across his mind, Dan fell into a fitful sleep.

July 1992

By the time that July came around, Dan had begun to feel as if the cosy little world they had built was falling apart. He, Honey and Trixie were spending some time in Sleepyside over summer and Jim would be joining them in a few weeks’ time. On this particular afternoon, he was having a picnic with his girlfriend of almost four months.

“So, have you given it any more thought?” she asked, lazily twirling a blade of grass between her fingers.

“You know I don’t want to, Honey” he said. “I’ve never thought that moving in together was a good idea.”

Honey had found what she called the perfect apartment and had taken out a lease. Since then, she had doubled her efforts in attempting to convince Dan to share it with her.

“We’d get to spend more time together,” she coaxed. “I’d like to see more of you.”

“No,” he replied, his voice weary with the number of times he had already resisted. “It’s just not worth the trade-offs. Can we talk about something else?”

Honey reluctantly changed the subject but brought it up again a few hours later. The two were now comfortable curled up on a towel near the shore of the lake. The moon shone brightly on the water, clearly showing the rowboat which had carried them there.

“Now, if you’d move in with me,” Honey purred, running her hand over his bare chest, “we could cuddle up together every night.”

“Honey,” he sighed. “You know I don’t-”

“Shh,” she said. “Just think of the benefits: sleeping together every night, waking up together every morning…”

“All right, already,” he interrupted. “I’ve heard enough.”

“You mean you’ll move in?” she asked, excited.

“Fine,” he said.

Honey kissed him enthusiastically, not seeming to notice that he turned slightly away.

Now I’ve done it, he was thinking. What did I have to say that for?

Honey was up early the next morning, elated by what she viewed as her success in convincing Dan to see things her way. She saw her father leaving the house for an early morning ride on Jupiter and decided on impulse to break the news straight away.

“It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it?” she called to him.

Matthew Wheeler turned to look at his only daughter and nodded. “You’re up early.”

“I thought I’d go for a walk,” she smiled. “By the way, I’ve found a roommate.”

“What’s her name?” her father asked.

“It’s not a ‘her,’” Honey quickly corrected. “It’s Dan.”

For a few terrible moments Honey thought her father would simply explode. His face turned an alarming shade of red and it seemed that he was forgetting to breathe. She had expected him to be unhappy, but after some of the other things she had done, this seemed rather mild to her.

“That’s not going to happen, Madeleine,” he finally said, the muscles in his neck tense with the effort not to shout.

“I’m paying for it with my own money,” she replied, “and I’ll live with whomever I choose.”

Honey turned and walked away, leaving him to deal with the news alone. After a minute’s pause, Mr. Wheeler made up his mind. He strode purposefully towards the stable, obviously still enraged.

“Regan,” he bellowed. “I have a bone to pick with you.”

Regan led Jupiter out into the yard and the two men faced off on either side of the big horse.

“Sir?” said the younger man, trying to keep his own temper.

“A little control of your nephew would be appreciated,” Matthew Wheeler began.

“What’s he done now?” Regan asked, his temper quickly getting the better of him.

“He’s moving in with my daughter,” his employer shouted.

“What?” In an instant, Regan’s face was every bit as red as Mr. Wheeler’s. “I’ll wring his neck!”

He shoved the reins into the other man’s hands and turned towards the stables to saddle a horse for himself. He did not hear Jupiter gallop away. A few minutes later, Regan rode away on Strawberry, muttering darkly.

By the time he reached Mr. Maypenny’s cabin Regan had calmed considerably. He knocked civilly. A moment later Dan opened the door. He appeared to have been asleep as his hair was messy and he was dressed in dark blue boxer shorts. Stubble darkened his face.

“Uncle Bill,” Dan greeted. “What brings you out here this early?”

“I have something to say to you, Daniel,” his uncle stated seriously. “I’ve just been yelled at by Mr. Wheeler and I’d like to know what you think you’re doing.”

“I’m sorry-” Dan started to say, but stopped as Regan held his hand up.

“I’m not finished. Are you out of your mind?” he began to rant. “I brought you out here to get a new start, not to shack up with my boss’s daughter. How dare you treat her that way? Or, any other man’s daughter, for that matter.”

Fatherhood had brought out a fiercely protective streak in Regan, which he seemed to be applying to other people’s daughters as well as his own.

“Uncle Bill-”

“Quiet! I thought you were brought up better than that,” Regan continued, oblivious to the look of despondence on his nephew’s face. “I’m very disappointed in you. You should know better than to treat a woman like that. And Honey Wheeler, of all people! She’s out of your league, Dan.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Dan yelled back. “You think I started all this? Well, for your information this was all her idea. I’ve been saying ‘no’ for weeks - months, maybe. I don’t like it any better than you do but it’s her choice and-”

“What do you mean ‘her idea?’” asked Regan. “Moving in?”

“All of it!” Dan snapped. “She chased me, not the other way around. She wanted to get serious. I didn’t. She wants to move in together. I don’t.”

The older man considered for a few moments. “Seems to me, if you don’t want something you should just say so,” he said gruffly. “Tell her you’ve thought better of it.”

His nephew seemed to be in two minds. “It’s not as simple as that. She really wants this. I don’t want to lose her.”

Regan’s face showed his sympathy. “Then I’ll leave you to think about it,” he said. “You know where to find me if you want to talk some more.”

Meanwhile, Trixie had arrived at the stables to find them deserted of people. Susie was in her stall, so she saddled the mare and set off at a steady pace. The day was already warm and she did not want the horse to overheat.

Her mind wandered freely and she took little notice of where she was going. Suddenly she could hear another rider approaching fast from behind her. She pulled Susie off the path and held tight to the reins as Jupiter thundered past. Trixie was uncertain who the rider had been but had the impression of a big man with red hair.

Regan, Jim or Mr. Wheeler? she wondered idly. Jim’s not around and Regan wouldn’t ride that way. It must be Mr. Wheeler.

“That was a close one,” she told the mare. “I don’t think he even saw us here.”

Pulling carefully back onto the narrow path, she continued on her way. A few minutes passed and Trixie allowed her thoughts to wander again. The day promised to be hot and it would have taken much urging to convince Susie to quicken her pace.

“Ohhh,” said a disembodied voice, surprising Trixie enough to make her pull Susie to a halt once again. There was another sound like words, but muffled so that she could not make it out.

Is someone out there hurt? Trixie wondered. Did the rider fall off? What if it is Jim?

“Is someone there?” she called aloud. “Hello?”

“Go away, Trixie,” came Dan’s voice from the other side of a clump of bushes. “I just want to be alone.”

Well, it wasn’t the rider then, she decided. But what’s wrong?

Dismounting, she looked around for somewhere to tether the horse. She spotted a group of small trees off to one side and quickly secured the little black mare to the stoutest of them.

“Didn’t I tell you to go away?” Dan asked, his voice peevish, as she came into view. He was seated on a fallen log, his arms resting on his knees and his eyes fixed on the forest floor.

“Are you all right?” she asked, ignoring his question.

“Of course I’m not all right,” he responded. “Why do you think I told you to go away?”

Trixie considered for a moment. “Just your usual grumpy self?”

“Thanks so much,” he muttered.

She sat down next to him. “So, do you want to tell me about it?”

“No.”

“Tell me anyway?”

Dan looked hard at her and Trixie was shocked to see that his eyes were red.

“Will you go away if I do?”

“Promise.”

He looked around and selected a new focal point, this time a lichen-covered boulder. “Honey’s been asking me to move in with her.”

“I know,” Trixie told him quietly. “She’s been complaining that you won’t.”

“Well, last night, despite my better judgement, I agreed,” he continued. “After I got back to Mr. Maypenny’s I started thinking that maybe I shoulda stuck to my guns and kept saying ‘no’ and I’d half decided to just tell her I’d changed my mind. Next thing I know, it’s the crack of dawn and Uncle Bill’s at the door ready to chew me out.”

“Honey told your uncle?” Trixie asked, confused.

“No, she told her father, who yelled at Uncle Bill,” Dan said, his head sinking into his hands. His voice was muffled as he continued, “I don’t want to just move in with her but it’s the only way she’ll have it. I should never have gotten into this relationship in the first place. All it’s gotten me is pain.”

Trixie put her arm around him as his shoulders began to quiver with pent-up emotion. She could think of nothing to say to comfort him. He leaned towards her, relaxing slightly.

“Do you remember that chick-flick you girls dragged me along to that time - Dirty Dancing?” Trixie nodded, recalling the story of a dance instructor who falls for a rich girl. “There’s a song in it that keeps running through my head.” He quietly sang a few lines.

Just a fool to believe I have anything she needs.
She’s like the wind.

“One day, she’s gonna wake up and realise that this can’t work,” he said in a flat voice. “She’ll go back to looking like daddy’s perfect girl, then she’ll meet some high flyer and they’ll get married and have a perfect house and perfect children.”

“No-”

“Yes! She doesn’t want me, really. She just wants someone that her father can’t possibly approve of. That’s me - rebellion. One day she’ll get over it and then she’ll be over me.”

“I don’t think so,” Trixie persisted. “I think she’s really in love with you.”

“Hah!” Dan laughed humourlessly. “You don’t know how naive you sound, Trixie. Not everything is happily ever after. If she loved me we would wait a couple of years and get married. She’s made it pretty clear that she doesn’t want that. What other reason could she have than for this whole thing to be temporary?”

“Maybe she’s not sure what she wants yet.”

“Maybe we don’t have a thing in common.”

“The Bob-Whites-”

“The Bob-Whites are over,” he snapped. “This is the real world now.”

“I don’t agree,” Trixie told him. “The things our club stood for are still there. And, no matter what happens, we’ll be there for you.”

“Thanks, Trixie,” he whispered. “I think I’m gonna need it.”

An hour later, Trixie had returned Susie to the stables and made her comfortable. The tack was neatly stored in exactly the manner that Regan preferred and everything was looking fine. Regan was still nowhere to be seen but all of the horses were in their stalls.

Now, to find Honey, she decided.

She made her way up to the house and was met at the door by Miss Trask.

“Is Honey at home?” she asked politely, having exchanged pleasantries.

“I think so,” Miss Trask told her. “She was in the library a few minutes ago. Why don’t you go on through.”

As Trixie approached the library, however, she heard angry voices and knew that this was not the time to interrupt. Turning away, she heard Madeleine Wheeler’s voice rise to near-hysteria. With an effort, she blocked out the words.

“I’ll wait on the porch,” she told Miss Trask on her way out. “I think they might be a little busy.”

Before she had even the chance to sit down, Honey was tearing past her. At the sound of her name, she slowed and turned.

“If you want to talk to me,” Honey called, “you’d better come with me.”

“Can you slow down a little?” Trixie asked as they approached the lake. “It’s too hot for this.”

Honey threw open the door to the boat house and began rummaging through the pile of swim suits for her own. She threw Trixie’s at her and continued her search.

“Where is the-” she began, trailing off into a stream of obscenities. Trixie’s eyes widened in shock. “Ah, here it is.”

They both changed and were soon swimming out into the middle of the lake. Honey finally stopped and waited while Trixie caught up.

“If you’re here to tell me off…” Honey began.

“Why would I do that?” Trixie asked.

“It’s what everyone else seems to be doing,” her friend muttered.

“Dan told me that he’s moving in,” Trixie said, her voice soft. “I don’t think he’s happy about it, though.”

“Nobody’s happy about it except me. Why can’t other people just butt out?”

Trixie considered her answer very carefully. “I think your parents are just shocked. They didn’t know you were considering this.”

“I don’t see how it’s any of their business. I am an adult after all.”

Once again, Trixie paused. “I don’t think my parents would like it if I moved in with someone.”

Honey smiled, the tension broken. “You? Move in with someone?” she giggled. “I’m sorry, Trixie. I guess I’m a little caught up in this at the moment.”

“Just do one thing for me?” Trixie replied, slightly affronted by Honey’s reaction to her words.

“What?”

“Talk to Dan about it again. I don’t think he understands why you want this.”

Honey ducked under the water, stalling.

“I’ve been over and over this with him,” she said. “He knows what I want.”

“But he doesn’t know why,” her friend explained. “He’s being yelled at by people, too. He really needs to know why.”

“I’ll think about it,” was Honey’s response.

Dan seemed to have disappeared that day and Honey was unable to find him. When they finally met up that evening she took Trixie’s advice and broached the subject of her motives.

“You know what this is all about, don’t you?” she asked. “Why I want to live with you?”

“I guess,” he said, not meeting her eyes. “You haven’t exactly said.”

Honey was stunned. “I haven’t?”

Dan simply shook his head.

“I want us to be closer, to share more things. I want to take the relationship to the next step.”

That’s what she says, he thought. But is it what she means? And why doesn’t she care that this isn’t what I want?

Things moved quickly after that. Honey’s lease commenced the following week and she was soon fully occupied with packing and preparing for the move. Before he knew what was happening, Dan found himself living with Honey in the city.

“Well, I think that’s it,” Honey said with satisfaction when the last of their belongings were inside. “All we need to do now is unpack.”

“Are you hungry?” Dan asked without looking at her. He stared at the small pile of boxes which were his, completely dwarfed by the collection belonging to Honey.

“Ravenous,” she replied. “Let’s get something to eat.”

“I’ll take a look in the kitchen,” he replied. “You start on all this.”

In a few minutes Dan had found everything he needed to make the two of them something to eat. He worked contentedly, setting the kitchen in order as he went. From the bedroom he could hear Honey moving things around, presumably making the room ready for sleep.

He picked up the platter of sandwiches, salad and fruit he had prepared and took it to where Honey was working, along with two cans of cola.

“Food’s on,” he said, setting it down on the still-empty dresser. “You don’t mind sharing, do you? I couldn’t find any other plates.”

Honey smiled her agreement and picked up a fork. “I’m hungry enough not to care.”

“Wasn’t the bed facing the other way?” he asked her while they ate.

“I like it better this way,” she responded. “It makes the room look bigger.”

Dan nodded, silent.

The next day, events repeated themselves. Dan prepared lunch while Honey worked and when he was finished the furniture was rearranged.

“Wasn’t the sofa over there?” he asked, setting this meal down on the coffee table. “I thought we decided to have it the other way around.”

“I like this better,” Honey responded, oblivious to his discontent.

Well, I guess I know where I stand, he thought. This is her place and I’m just here for her convenience.

Weeks passed and Dan settled into a kind of acceptance of his situation. The routine of living together began to feel familiar. A little more than a week before classes started again, Honey announced that they would be spending the next few days in Sleepyside.

“It’s all arranged,” she said. “I’ve asked Miss Trask to have my old room made ready for us in the morning.”

“No way,” said Dan. “I’m not staying in your room. Are you out of your mind? What would your father say?”

“He can mind his own business,” Honey retorted. “Besides, there’s nothing wrong with us sharing. It’s what we do here.”

“I mean it, Honey,” he told her. “I can’t do that.”

By the following morning, however, she had worn down his resistance.

The sun was sinking low as Trixie made her way toward the Manor House. A cool breeze disturbed the air, reminding her that summer was almost over now. She was still a few minutes’ walk away from the house when a rustling noise to her right startled her.

“Trix,” came a whispered voice from the shrubbery.

She stopped dead and stared in surprise at Dan, who had been concealing himself there. In a moment, he had grasped her arm and drawn her into his hiding place.

“Can we talk?” he asked, still whispering.

“Here?” she squeaked.

Dan’s serious look dissolved momentarily. “I’m not going to attack you or anything. And it’s quite comfortable in here, really.”

Looking around, Trixie noticed that the surrounding bushes concealed a group of small boulders. The thick foliage sheltered them both from the breeze and from view. Selecting one with a fairly flat top, Trixie sat down.

“So, what’s up?” she asked.

Dan stared at the ground for a few moments.

“Is something wrong?” Trixie asked when he didn’t respond.

“Is anything right?” He rubbed his face with one hand, his eyes shut tight. “It’s bad enough in the city, but out here it’s pretty much unbearable. I don’t think I can take much more of it.”

Not knowing what to say, Trixie reached over and rubbed his back.

“She’s making me share her room,” he stated flatly. “As if I needed her father to hate me more.”

“He doesn’t hate you.”

“You haven’t seen him glaring at me. Besides, that’s not the worst of it.”

“There’s worse than that?” Trixie asked, incredulous. “I can’t think of much worse than Mr. Wheeler glaring at me - unless it’s Mr. Wheeler yelling at me.”

Dan smiled wryly. “I’ve been spared that, at least,” he replied. “Actually, I’m talking about Honey. I can’t help feeling that she’s not as serious about me as I am about her.” He paused, uncertain. “I love her so much and she doesn’t love me back.”

“No, Dan. She loves you. I’m sure of it.”

“She doesn’t.” His voice was flat and devoid of life. “Right from the start we’ve done what she wanted. If I’d said ‘no’ that first time…”

“It’s a bit late for that,” she responded, ever practical. “Besides, things will get better. I’m sure of it.”

“They couldn’t get much worse,” he muttered. “How am I going to get out of this, Trixie? I hate it. I really hate it.”

“You have to talk to her. Tell her how you feel.”

“I can’t do that. What good would it do, anyway?”

“At least you would have given her a chance to change things. This relationship means a lot to you, doesn’t it?”

“More than I want it to. More than I know how to deal with.”

“Then give her a chance to fix it, okay?” At Dan’s reluctant nod, she continued. “Shall we go on up to the house now? They’ll miss us if we’re not there soon.”

“We’d better,” he replied, a wicked smile crossing his handsome face. “Otherwise, Jim might think I’m getting some from his girl.”

“Dan!” Trixie gasped, her face turning red. She recovered herself quickly and gave him a slap on the arm. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Oh, I forgot that you’re still pure and innocent,” he joked, helping her back onto the path.

As they walked up to the house, talking and laughing another figure emerged from the shrubbery, unseen by Trixie and Dan. His red hair glinted in the late afternoon sun and a thoughtful look graced his face. Matthew Wheeler had heard every word.

The next morning before breakfast, Dan found himself summoned to the stables. He strode towards the building with more confidence than he felt.

“Good morning, Dan,” Mr. Wheeler said civilly, and with more friendliness than Dan had heard from him in months.

“Good morning, sir. I understand you wanted to see me?”

“I thought we could take a ride. I have a few things I’d like to discuss.”

Mr. Wheeler led the way to where Regan was holding two horses. Regan’s face was strangely neutral, but Dan thought there was something his uncle was trying to tell him. A few moments later, the idea was confirmed.

“Don’t muck this up,” came the whispered message when Dan took the reins. “This is your big chance.”

In a moment they were riding out through the preserve. Dan recognised the path that they took as one leading to the most remote of areas. The terrain was so steep that they soon had to slow their horses to a walk. Eventually, they came across a clearing and, at Mr. Wheeler’s suggestion, both dismounted and secured their horses.

“I don’t want anyone to hear what I have to say to you,” the older man began. “This is just between the two of us. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“Not even Honey can know.”

“That’s fine, sir.”

Matthew Wheeler nodded. “First of all, I’m sure you know that I don’t want you to be living with my daughter. I want better than that for her.”

“And better than me.”

“Not at all. I’m no better than you. In fact, when you get down to it we have a few things in common.”

Dan tried not to look incredulous but felt that he had failed. “If you say so, sir.”

“Secondly, I want to apologise for the way that I’ve behaved lately. There was no call to be rude to you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Now, I’d like to ask you some questions and I’d appreciate if you’d answer them with honesty. Brutal honesty, if necessary.”

“I’ll try, sir,” Dan replied, a little uncertain.

“Do you love her?”

“Yes.” The answer was quick, but not forced.

“Do you think she loves you?”

Dan froze. “I hope so,” he said eventually. “She says that she does.”

“Whose idea was it to move in together?”

“Hers.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “All hers.”

“Whose idea was it for you to share her room in my house?” Mr. Wheeler’s voice shook slightly as he pronounced the question.

“Hers,” Dan repeated. “I didn’t think it was right, sir.”

There was a pause as the older man regained control of his temper. “I have to agree with you there,” was all he said on that matter. “What are your intentions?”

Dan looked slightly confused. “Intentions?”

“Do you mean to marry her?”

This is the big one, Dan thought. This is what he brought me here for. Aloud he said, “Yes, sir. I hope that one day she’ll agree to marry me.”

Matthew Wheeler appeared to be thinking carefully. “Well, I suppose that’s the best I could hope for,” he said quietly. “I want to ask you one more thing.”

Dan nodded, waiting.

“I want you to protect her.”

“Sir?”

“Her writing could very well bring her a lot of unwanted attention in the future. I want you to do everything you can to prevent that. Keep things between you private.”

“Of course, sir,” Dan replied. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”

“Thank you, son,” Mr. Wheeler said with a smile. “I know I can count on you.”

Dan and Honey returned to New York City two days later, purportedly to prepare for the coming semester. Dan felt, however, that Honey had become tired of the suggestions her mother kept making that she ‘reconsider, before it’s too late.’

He unlocked and pushed open the apartment door, sighing deeply. No matter how he looked at it, this was Honey’s apartment. There was nothing in sight to suggest that he lived here as well. All of his belongings were neatly hidden away.

“I could do with a coffee,” said Honey, behind him. “Or something stronger.”

“Coffee it is,” said Dan, with a gentle smile. He knew better than to take her second suggestion seriously. Honey rarely drank, and never before lunch.

Soon the apartment was filled with the delicious aroma, undoubtedly better than the taste of the end result. Dan rummaged in the pantry for something to eat with it.

“Why can’t I ever find anything in here?” he muttered. Silently, he added, You’d think since I do most of the cooking the kitchen would be arranged how I think it should be.

Resigned, he took the coffee to Honey. While he had been in the kitchen she had booted her computer and was furiously typing.

Well, that’s it, he thought. She’ll be at it the rest of the night.

He gently kissed the top of her head, placed the mug within easy reach and left her to her work. Sighing deeply once again, he settled down in front of the television for another lonely evening.

Days later, Dan took a call from Trixie, who had arrived with Jim for the beginning of the semester. Jim remained in the same apartment as always but Trixie was in a new room, this time a single.

“When do we get to come and inspect,” she asked him. “I’m curious, you know. I have to know everything that’s going on.”

Dan laughed. “No, you don’t, shamus.” He could almost hear her blush.

“You know what I meant.”

Dan laughed, again, glad to know he could still embarrass Trixie. “Honey’s working at the moment, so don’t expect to see her, but you’re welcome anytime.”

“I’m at Jim’s,” she replied. “We’ll be there in fifteen.”

It was just over fifteen minutes later that Trixie knocked sharply on the door which was promptly answered by Dan.

“Come in,” he greeted. “Make yourselves at home.”

His heart sank as Trixie looked slowly around the room, noticing every detail and said, “So where do you live, Dan?”

“Right through here,” he said, gently grasping her arm and leading her to the bedroom. “I have a few square inches over there.”

“I’ll talk to her,” she whispered, out of Jim’s hearing.

“No, you won’t,” he responded. “Just stay out of it.” In a normal voice he continued, “Honey’s in her office, working on her next novel. I don’t think she’ll even realise you’re here.”

“I’ll just look in on her,” Jim decided. Softly calling her name, he pushed open the door. Honey was, as Dan had guessed, completely absorbed in her work and did not appear to notice.

At Dan’s suggestion, Jim took a seat on the sofa while the coffee was being made. Trixie, however, was not content to sit and decided to help.

“Anything I can do?” she asked, entering the tiny kitchen.

“No thanks,” Dan responded. He muttered, “Now, where is it?”

“Does Honey do a lot of cooking?” Trixie asked idly.

Dan shook his head. “She’s so engrossed in this novel she hardly takes time to eat.”

“So, you’ve been cooking?”

“I like cooking,” he replied, slightly defensive. “And I like to eat. If it was up to Honey, we’d both starve.”

“Then, why can’t you find things in your own kitchen?”

Dan groaned. “Can’t you leave anything alone?” he said. “Don’t answer that.”

Trixie grinned.

“As you’ve already noticed, Honey arranged everything in the whole apartment,” said Dan.

“So rearrange,” Trixie suggested. “I’ll help.”

He frowned, obviously unwilling. “Here’s your coffee,” he said instead. “That one’s Jim’s. I’ll just take one in to Honey.”

Jim who had joined them at that moment offered to do it for him. “I don’t know where her mind is,” he said when he returned, “but when I gave it to her she said, ‘Thanks, Dan.’ I said, ‘It’s Jim,’ and she said, ‘Then why didn’t you use the other door?’”

“I wonder what she’d call me,” said Trixie, sorely tempted to go and find out. “Did you make this cake, Dan? It’s gorgeous.” She added to Jim, “He’s my best pupil.”

“He’s your only pupil,” Jim corrected. “And I don’t see you making things like this.”

Trixie shrugged and took another bite of cake. “I’m going to help Dan with a few things,” she said casually. “Why don’t you go on home and I’ll meet you there later.”

“I should be suspicious of that suggestion,” Jim said, considering, “but I’ve got enough to do at home that I think I’ll let it pass. It’s been good seeing you, Dan. Give my best to Honey.”

After Jim had left, Trixie helped Dan with the small amount of washing up and then broached the subject of rearranging again.

“You can’t work when you don’t know where everything is,” she reasoned. “Let me help you fix it. It won’t take long.”

“Okay,” Dan agreed reluctantly. “But when Honey finds out, I’m hiding behind you.”

“Deal,” Trixie said with a giggle. The very idea of big, muscular Dan hiding behind her diminutive frame made her want to laugh aloud.

Half an hour later, the two were well into their task. Dan had gone in search of a few missing items when Honey arrived in the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” she demanded angrily. “I spent ages arranging that.”

“When was the last time you used it?” Trixie asked her.

“What?”

“Dan’s been doing the cooking while you write.”

“What of it?” Honey asked warily.

“Don’t you think he’d like the kitchen arranged how it’s convenient for him?”

“But-” Honey stopped short. “Well, why should it be?”

“Is he your lover, or just some part of the furniture?”

At Trixie’s words, Honey looked terribly angry but the look faded as quickly as it had arrived. “I’ve got something I have to do,” she said, picking up her handbag. In a moment she had left the apartment without another word.

When Dan re-entered the kitchen that evening he was confronted by Honey, seated on one of the counters, and an enormous box.

“What’s that?” he asked her, noting her Cheshire Cat grin.

“I bought you a few things,” she replied. “Open it.”

Dan did as directed. “What’s this?” he asked, pulling out some non-stick bakeware. “You got this for me?”

“To say ‘thank you’ for not letting me starve,” she smiled. “I want to make things easier for you.”

Soon, the counters were covered in various kinds of kitchenware: mixing bowls and measuring jugs; ovenware and utensils. Dan’s expression changed from puzzled to amazed and back again.

“If you don’t like any of it you can get it exchanged,” Honey told him. “Or, if there’s something I’ve missed, we can pick it up.”

“No, it’s fine,” he said faintly. “I don’t think you missed anything. In fact I don’t know what half this stuff does.”

Honey giggled. “You might have to ask someone else, because neither do I.”

He put his arms around her waist and lifted her down from the counter. “Thank you,” he said into her hair.

“Arrange it however you like,” she told him, stroking his chest. “I’m sorry I was so bossy. I guess I got a little carried away.”

“It’s okay, I guess,” he responded. “Just try not to do it again, okay?”

“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask, Honey.”

The End

Some more author’s notes (since there seemed to be too many to put at the beginning): This is a story that was never meant to be in this universe, but there’s something about it which compelled me to write. The whole trouble began when Dan started keeping me awake at night and telling me in detail about all his heartache. He seemed to think I was ignoring him in favour of the warm fuzzies that Trixie and Jim were giving each other. (Who, me? )

Of course, I think he was just trying to get my sympathy: he only told me the sad bits. It took quite a lot to get him to tell me the rest - including a “Help me! I’m stuck!” email to Leslie (Greyfort). (She helped enormously, by the way.)

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