Manor House

February 19, 1986

        “Oh, bother!” Honey Wheeler exclaimed, as the tin holding four gazillion paperclips slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor, scattering its contents over a large portion of the rug.  Dropping to her knees behind the sofa, she began gathering them.  She was stretched out flat on her stomach, one slender arm reaching under the heavy leather piece of furniture, trying to recoup her office supplies when her father’s voice stopped her cold.

        “Yes, he’s hinted about it to me, too,” Matthew Wheeler’s deep voice said.  “I told him that Andrew is Tessa’s legal guardian, and without his consent, I didn’t feel comfortable giving mine.” He chuckled.  “I gather you did the same?” She heard the sound of her father pouring drinks.

        “As agreed.” Honey bit back a gasp at the sound of Trixie’s dad.  What were they discussing? “I don’t know how long that’s going to work, though. He once told Andy that he wasn’t asking permission to date her, because that could be denied. He was just giving notice.”

        She heard her father laugh out loud. “Wise boy,” he said, “or rather, wise young man. He’s already notified Kal, and since none of us thought to warn him, he’s fully on board.  I figure we can give the kid the run around for a few more months—as long as it doesn’t occur to him to approach our better halves.”

        Peter Belden groaned loudly.  “I know.  Helen’s already suspicious.  I swear I know exactly where my daughter gets her gift for sniffing out mysteries.”

        “Lainey’s warned me several times to be nice, and truthfully, it isn’t all that hard.  I like Dan.  It’s just that they’re so young…”

        “I know. But as Helen keeps reminding both me and my little brother, she was only a year older than Tessa when we got married, and my mother was even younger than that when my parents married. It was a little bit of a struggle for us, but both Tess and Dan have plenty of resources.”

        “That’s true,” Matthew agreed.  “Our girl has taken to business like a pro. Last year, she kept a small portion of her biannual dividend as an allowance and put the rest back in the trust.  This year, she kept half of the first dispersal and made some investments.  She doubled her investment before the second dispersal. When we met to discuss her options in December, she had some very shrewd insights.  Honey will get her second dispersal in June, and I’m hoping she takes half as much initiative as her cousin.”

        “She’s cautious with the allowance as well,” Peter said. “I manage her accounts at the bank, and she’s quite thrifty.”  There was a pause, followed by the sound of a glass meeting the wood of the table. “So, what’s the end game?”

        “Eventually, he’s going to get frustrated and conclude that he doesn’t need our permission,” Matthew mused. “That’s inevitable. I doubt that he’ll make a move before she turns eighteen, so that gives us a bit of time to toy with him.  In the end, though, I think it would be best if Andrew acquiesces—with the caveat that no wedding take place before they get their degrees.”

        Honey covered her mouth to contain her shock.

        “I think that’s a sound plan,” Peter agreed.  “I’ll be speaking to Andy in the next few days, and I’ll fill him in.  I think he’ll go along with us.  How about Wes?”

        “Wes would prefer to cover his ears, close his eyes and pretend there isn’t anything happening.” Another chuckle. “I can’t wait until his little Chloe is old enough to make all this real.  That’ll show him.” There was the sound of glasses clinking, as if the men were toasting one another, and then Matthew spoke again, “Thanks for stopping by, Peter. I feel better knowing we’re on the same page. I’ll walk you out.”

        Honey kept her body still, barely letting her breath escape as she listened to the men’s footsteps.  When she was certain she was once again alone in her father’s study, she rose up from her hiding place and hurried out, her office supply raid forgotten.

Maypenny’s Barn

February 21, 1986

        Dan whistled softly as he led Spartan back into the barn. School had gone well.  None of the trails had been blocked on his patrol.  The days were getting longer, and it was Friday.  Tomorrow was Saturday, and he had plans for a double date to Wimpy’s and the Cameo with Mart and Di for Saturday. Life was pretty good. He slid open the barn door and stopped in surprise.  Honey Wheeler was inside his barn, pacing back and forth in front of Brownie’s stall.

        “Hey, Honey,” he said, “Why are you out here, instead of at the house?”

        She stopped. “I need to talk to you,” she said, her voice rising in pitch and increasing in speed.  “I have something to tell you, and I don’t…I mean it’s kind of private, and I shouldn’t know it, but I overheard it, but it’s probably true, and I think you should know, but no one knew I was listening.  I mean I knew I was listening, but they didn’t see me because of the paperclips.  But it isn’t fair, and if Mother knew she’d be so irritated, and I almost told her, but eavesdropping isn’t a nice thing to do, even if you didn’t mean to, which I didn’t, but I did, and then…maybe I should just forget it, but that doesn’t seem fair, either, so…”

        “Honey.” Dan held up his hand, thoroughly confused. “Stop for a minute.  I can’t keep up.  Take a breath and organize your thoughts while I put Spartan away.  Then you can tell me whatever it is that you heard, okay?  If something’s wrong, I’ll do whatever I can to help you, I promise.”

        Tears welled up in her hazel eyes.  “You are so sweet, Dan,” she said.  “But it isn’t my problem, it’s yours.”  She set her chin, and he was reminded of her father.  “I’m the one who is going to help you.”

        Now, he was even more confused, but his friend seemed calmer, and he would take it. He simply nodded and gave her a grin.  “Okay,” he said, finishing untacking Spartan. He moved with swift, practiced gestures, making short work of the job.  Within twenty minutes, the tack was cleaned and stored, Spartan had been rubbed down, fed and watered, and Dan was mentally preparing his brain to decipher whatever Honeyspeak was headed his way.

        He led her to the bench by the door.  Sitting down, he turned to her, prepared to give her his full attention. Her first words shocked him.

        “Are you planning on asking Tessa to marry you?”

        His mouth dropped open, and he had to make a conscious effort to close it. Swallowing hard, he stared at her, his eyes narrowing a bit.  “Who told you that?” he asked.  “Mart?”  He closed his eyes, muttering, “I’m going to kill him.”

        “No! No one told me.  I overheard it.”

        Focus! Dan tried to reclaim his calm.  That’s right, his subconscious whispered.  She said she’d overheard something.  But what?  Taking a deep, calming breath, he asked the question out loud, “Okay, Honey.  What exactly did you overhear?”

        “It’s true, then?” She answered his question with another gentle demand for confirmation.  Or denial.  He wasn’t sure which.

        “Yeah,” he gave in.  “I already ordered the ring and everything.  But it isn’t going to be for a while, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

        “Oh!” She threw her arms around him and gave him a big hug.  “I’m not worried about that at all!” she assured him.  “And I solemnly promise to keep it a secret and help you in any way you want.  Oh!  I’m so excited…it’s just that…” Her face fell, the happiness replaced by a furrowed brow and a look that was almost angry. “I can’t believe they’re doing that.  It’s so mean!”

        He wanted to pull out his hair.  Seriously. It took enormous self-control, but he managed to keep his hands flat as he rubbed them back from temple to neck. “I’m confused,” he said. “Who is doing what?”

        She looked at him, a hazel-eyed, righteously indignant tempest. “I went in to Daddy’s study to get some paperclips for my history project.  I spilled them, and while I was picking them up, Daddy and Mr. Belden came in.  They were talking, and I was behind the sofa, so they didn’t see me, and I didn’t tell them I was there—even though that would have been the polite thing to do—and so I overheard what they were saying, and I couldn’t believe it.”

        “Honey.” Dan had to work to deliberately keep his voice from showing his frustration. “What did they say?”

        “Oh!” She flushed.  “Sorry. They were talking about you.  Well, you and Tess. Daddy said you’ve been trying to have a talk with him, but he keeps putting you off.  Mr. Belden said the same thing, and then they started talking about how they, and her Uncle Andrew, and my Uncle Wesley have this whole plan to keep you from asking their permission to marry Tess.”  She looked at him, and he bit his cheek to keep from smiling.  She looked so very angry on his behalf.  Not that he wasn’t irritated himself about the subterfuge, but her words were simply confirmation of his own suspicions. She continued.  “Daddy said you already spoke to Uncle Kal, and that you did it before they could tell him their plan.”

        “I did,” Dan admitted.  “I approached him first, since I kind of had him trapped in my truck.” He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Honey, I appreciate you telling me this, but I’m not really surprised.  Besides, I’m actually not asking for permission.  The only person who needs to give me permission to marry Tessa is Tessa.  I’m just hoping to get their…I don’t know…approval?  Blessing?”  He shook his head.  “But I don’t need it.  I would just like it.”

        “That’s what Mr. Belden said.  I mean about asking permission, not about the approval.” She seemed to realize that she was beginning to ramble, because she caught herself. “Anyway, they talked about you and Tessa not having to worry about money like most young people, and about how she’s getting good at business.  Daddy hopes that I’ll be as interested. They were both glad that you were trying to talk to them, and not Mother or Mrs. Belden. And then, they agreed that they would let Uncle Andrew give you permission, but that he should tell you that you can’t get married until after you get your college degree. Daddy called it a caveat.”

        Dan laughed.  Once he started, he couldn’t seem to stop. Honey reached out to him, obviously concerned that her confession had sent him off the deep end, so he worked to control himself, bringing his guffaws down to a deep chuckle, and then a grin he couldn’t help.

        “Are you okay?” she asked.

        “Yes.”  He reached over and hugged her.

        “What was so funny?” she asked.  “I thought you’d be angry, not amused.”

        “I would be angry,” he admitted, “if I hadn’t already suspected they were messing with me.  What they’re doing is kind of irritating, but like I said, I’m not going to let them keep me from doing what I’ve been planning. What I find amusing is their ‘caveat’.” He chuckled again, low in his throat.

        “Why is that funny?”

        “It’s funny because Mart, Tess and I have already been going to college for the last two years, remember?”  She nodded. “We have until the first of April to decide if we’re going to try for our A.A. or A.S. degrees, or just take transfer credits to whichever colleges we end up going.”  He left his words hanging, and was pleased to see recognition dawning as she put two and two together.

        “You can have your degree when you get your diploma from Sleepyside Junior-Senior High!” she breathed.  “That’s brilliant.”

        “Thank you,” he said, faking modesty with a mock brush of fake dust off of his shoulder. “The key, though, is to have them give me the ‘caveat’ before graduation.”

        She smiled at him, hazel eyes sparkling, the curve of her lips getting broader as she spoke, “I think I can help you with that.”

College 1   

Winds of Change

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