Carolyn Keene - An Instinct for Trouble

As they reached the car, Gerald told Nancy to go back to the hotel and take a hot shower.

"I'll drive. Nan," Bess offered. "You relax."

Nancy gave Bess the keys, then thanked Gerald again for rescuing her.

"I'm glad I was there to help," he replied, holding the door for her.

Bess turned on the heater, and soon Nancy stopped shivering. "It was a man who pushed me," she said. "As I went over the railing, I got an impression of his hands. They were too big and hairy to belong to a woman. Oh, Bess," Nancy said, interrupting herself. "Your binoculars! They must have fallen into the river with me. I'm so sorry."

"Do you think I care about some old binoculars when I just watched you nearly drown?" Bess scolded.

As Bess turned into the hotel parking lot, she continued, "Who could have pushed you?"

"I don't know. I just don't know. In fact, I don't know what to think anymore."

A large, shiny bus was stopped in front of the hotel entrance. People were spilling out of it onto the sidewalk.

"Look, Nancy," Bess said excitedly, pointing out the bus, which said Randy Dean Productions. "Do you think Randy's with them?" she asked.

Nancy smiled. "I doubt if a big star like Randy Dean would arrive on a bus," she said. "He's probably coming by private helicopter."

"I guess you're right," Bess said, parking the car. "Come on, let's get you inside and warm." Nancy's legs felt like lead as she climbed the steps to the hotel lobby. "All I want to do is lie down in a warm tub and soak for a month or two," she announced as Bess unlocked the door to their room.

Bess gave her a concerned look. "Are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?"

"I'm sure," Nancy replied firmly. "After a hot bath and a little rest, I'll be as good as new."

At Bess's urging, the girls had dinner in their room. As the waiter took away the tray, Bess gave Nancy a close look and said, "You look a lot better. You may not be up for an evening of square dancing, but at least you can sit and watch."

"You really think I ought to go?" Nancy asked.

Bess was now standing in front of the mirror, smoothing the waist of her knee-length denim skirt. "You want to see Ned, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Nancy replied, then paused. "But I don't know what to say to him."

Bess spun around, went to Nancy, and sat beside her on the bed. "First you'll tell him you're sorry," she stated flatly. "Then you'll say that you love him. Then he'll take you for a moonlight drive ..." Bess giggled. "And I'm not going to say what happens after that."

Nancy shook her head sadly. "I only wish it could be that easy."

Bess gave Nancy a hug. "Stop worrying. It's going to be fine."

While Nancy pulled on a full-skirted blue corduroy dress, Bess went on. "I talked to Jack while you were napping. He'll meet us in the lobby at eight."

"' Us' ?" Nancy repeated.

"Well, sure," Bess said. "This is a group event, you know, not a date."

When they reached the head of the stairs, Bess began searching through her purse. "I forgot my compact," she said. "I've got to go back."

"Okay," Nancy said. "I'll meet you in the lobby."

Jack, in worn but perfectly fitting jeans and a red plaid shirt, was standing near the foot of the stairs. He saw Nancy coming and gave her a warm smile. "I called Bess after you got back to the hotel, and she told me what happened," he said, concerned. "Are you all right?"

"Good as new," Nancy said. "Bess will be down in a minute."

She took in the transformed lobby. All the furniture had been cleared away from the central area, and a small stage had been set up near the windows. Paper lanterns dangled from the log rafters, and bales of hay had been placed along the walls.

"They did a great job of decorating this place, didn't they?" Jack said, and led the way to a table at the edge of the dance floor. "I'm glad you felt well enough to come. I've been really looking forward to the dance," he added with a glance full of meaning.

"So has Bess," Nancy replied pointedly as she spotted her friend coming down the stairs.

Jack sprang to his feet as Bess approached. "Hey, you look terrific!"

Bess blushed becomingly and threw in a little curtsy.

The other tables were filling up. Two men and a woman in matching shirts climbed up on the stage and started tuning a guitar, fiddle, and string bass.

A woman in a fringed leather vest joined the trio on stage and picked up a microphone.

"Okay, folks," she said. "We're going to start out real easy this evening. You don't need a partner for this one. Don't be shy, just form two long lines, gents on the left and ladies on the right. The name of the tune is 'Rabbit in the Peapatch.' "

"Come on, you two," Jack urged, springing up. As the band launched into the rollicking tune. Nancy saw Ned and Jennifer come in the door. Jennifer was pulling Ned toward the two lines of dancers.

As he passed, Ned spotted Nancy and smiled at her tentatively. Then the dance started, and Nancy was too busy following the caller's instructions to pay attention to Ned.

"This is fun!" Bess exclaimed breathlessly when the first number ended.

Nancy smiled, but her eyes were now searching for Ned. There he was, she thought, near the stage. He was looking around, too. For her? Taking a deep breath, Nancy crossed the room.

"Hi, Ned," she said.

He didn't say a word, only took her hand and led her off to the far side of the fireplace. They turned to face each other. Nancy could hear the music start for the next dance, but the only thing that mattered now was Ned.

He was staring down at the floor. She was about to say something when he spoke up. "I really lost it this afternoon," he said, his brown eyes shining. "I'm sorry. Nan. You know I didn't mean those things I said."

"Of course I do," Nancy responded. "I said things I didn't mean, too, and I'm sorry. I really do understand the way you feel about Professor Trainey. It's just that-"

"It's just that you're too good a detective not to follow up on all the evidence you find, no matter where it leads," he finished. "And I wouldn't want you any different."

Nancy put her arms around his neck. "Oh, Ned-I'm so glad you understand." She pulled his head down to hers, and their lips met in a kiss that lasted a long time.

When they parted, Ned held her close and ran his fingers through her hair. "Why don't we get our coats and go for a drive?" he said breathlessly. "It's a beautiful night."

"I'd love it," Nancy replied.

They were walking past the alcove that held the house phones when Ned squeezed her elbow. He put his finger to his lips and pulled her back out of sight.

"Gerry? It's me." Nancy recognized Professor Trainey's voice. She strained to make out the words.

"Yes, I know," she heard the professor say into the phone. "It can't be helped. Late tomorrow night? Yes, the camp should be quiet. No junior detectives to get in our way."

Chapter Eleven

Nancy heard Trainey hang up and then watched him walk away.

Ned was slumped against the wall, his eyes filled with misery. He stared at her. "You were right about the professor all along."

The bitterness in his voice surprised Nancy. Her heart ached for him. "I'm sorry, Ned," she said, slipping her arms around him. "I kept hoping it wasn't him, but-"

" 'Junior detectives,' " Ned spat out. "And I kept telling you how much he respected and cared about his students. He thinks we're a joke!"

"He must be pretty desperate," Nancy pointed out. "I don't think he would have gotten involved if it weren't for his money problems. And let's face it-if he is involved, our investigation must really be getting in his way."

Ned's eyes widened. " If? Of course he's involved. You heard what he said. He's planning something for tomorrow night. And he was talking to Turkower!"