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At
the Crossroads
A New Journey Begins
This story is part of The Journey Trilogy in my Portraits of the Past Universe, and immediately
follows Love’s Journey: Madeleine’s Story. In the
previous story, Matthew and Madeleine Wheeler had just received a letter from
Honey, asking them to adopt Jim Frayne. Although Matthew initially favors the
idea, he begins worrying what repercussions could result from their family
taking in Katie Vanderheiden Frayne’s son. Surprisingly, Madeleine feels
strongly that they should adopt him. What will they decide? J In “Maddie! We’ve
already discussed this a thousand times! I told you that I refuse to risk my family’s happiness, no matter how noble the cause!” Madeleine Wheeler
sighed deeply as she moved closer to her husband. She clutched the crisp
sleeve of his white oxford dress shirt with her long, slender fingers. She
tilted her chin and gazed up at him with beseeching eyes. “I know you’re trying to protect us,
Matthew, and I love you for it,” she told him, her voice husky with emotion. “After
all we’ve been through, it will be difficult enough trying to rebuild our
family. Adopting Jim, when we’re all so vulnerable as it is, is foolish.” She took a deep
breath before she continued. “I know
it’s crazy; I know it’s hasty. But
in my heart, I know it’s what we
should do.” Matthew looked hard
at his wife, a frown marring his sandy brow. Her hazel eyes bored into his
stubborn soul, making him wonder if he’d made the right decision by refusing
to adopt Jim Frayne. He felt his resolve begin to slip, and he shook his head
in an attempt to clear away his doubt. “We can’t—” “We have to,” Madeleine interrupted
firmly. “I have to.” Matthew raked a
trembling hand through his reddish-gold hair. “Darling, you know I want to,
but—” “Do it for me.” Though she whispered, the
desperation in her voice caused her words to echo in the large hotel suite.
Madeleine gripped both her husband’s powerful hands in her delicate ones and
squeezed with surprising strength. “Please, Matthew. Do it for me!”
Late July, at the end of Red
Trailer Mystery… Trixie Belden
practically dragged Jim to the Silver
Swan, as her best friend Honey Wheeler scurried quickly behind. “C’mon, Jim!”
Trixie ordered impatiently. “We’ve got to hurry and call Mr. Rainsford!” Jim chuckled. “I’m
going as fast as I can, Trix.” If I do stay in Sleepyside, I have a feeling this
pint-sized whirlwind will be a force to be reckoned with, he thought
wryly to himself. Though Trixie
complained about the delay, Honey insisted upon stopping at the Silver Swan to talk to Miss Trask
before calling Mr. Rainsford. The teenagers hurried past a long line of
parked recreational vehicles until they came to the stand Miss Trask had
rented. The Swan was locked up
tightly, but there was a note pinned to the trailer’s door. With a slender
hand, Honey pulled it down. “It’s from Miss
Trask,” she murmured as her eyes pored over the contents. “She says we need
to go to the cafeteria immediately, although I’m not sure why. It can’t be
lunchtime yet.” Honey worried her lower lip thoughtfully. “Why does she want
us over there?” “Let’s go find
out,” Trixie said with a shrug. “We can telephone Mr. Rainsford from the
dining hall.” Jim’s heart pounded
loudly as Trixie led him to the cafeteria. For some reason, he was more
nervous than he’d ever been before in his life. Thankfully, the girls were
rattling on and on and his input was not needed. When Honey opened the door
to the park’s dining hall, the butterflies in his stomach expanded into
full-fledged pterodactyls as he saw the occupants of a table in the corner.
There were four guests sitting there, and it was obvious who two of them
were. He’d seen the large, red-haired man before in his father’s old
photographs, and the elegant-looking woman sitting beside him was the
spitting image of Honey. This guess was
affirmed when he watched Honey suddenly run across the room with outstretched
arms. “Mother,” she
gasped as she threw her arms around her parents and kissed them both. Though
Honey was happy to see her father, it was obvious by her cry that her
mother’s presence pleased her the most. Madeleine eagerly
welcomed her daughter into her arms and hugged her tightly. Tears flowed
freely as she cherished the moment. She smoothed Honey’s silken hair with a
slim hand. “My precious baby. I’ve missed you so, and Dad did, too, so we
decided to charter a plane and fly down this evening.” Once their embrace
ended, Madeleine motioned for Honey to sit at the table next to her. Feeling
a pair of eyes studying her, Madeleine turned to her daughter’s new friend,
keeping her left arm around Honey. “You’re Trixie, I know. Honey has written
me so much about you.” After bracing
herself for any memory of Katje Vanderheiden Frayne, Madeleine turned her
attention to Jim. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the boy was a
duplicate of Win Frayne. Though Jim and her husband both had red hair, Jim’s
was darker like Win’s. Furthermore, Jim’s green eyes were a bright emerald,
while Matthew’s were so dark a green that, at first glance, they appeared
almost blue. “And this is Jim?” Willing the
pterodactyls to settle down, Jim discreetly wiped his sweaty palms against
the thighs of his blue jeans. With a nervous smile, he first offered his hand
to Honey’s father. He was pleased with Mr. Wheeler’s firm shake and returned
the older man’s pressure with assurance. “I’d have known you
anywhere, Jim,” Matthew said with a wide grin. “You look exactly as your dad
did when I last saw him.” Jim turned to shake
Madeleine’s hand. He was unsure of himself in the presence of such a
cultured, wealthy woman. However, he relaxed a bit when he saw the genuine
warmth in her smile. “He doesn’t look
unlike you, Matthew,” she commented. She looked up hopefully at the young
boy. “Come sit beside me, please. I suppose you know Honey thinks you’re just
about the most wonderful person on this earth?” Spying Jim’s
embarrassed blush, Matthew introduced him to Miss Trask and Mr. Rainsford. “It was nice of
you, sir, to come all the way up here from “How did this
happen?” Trixie demanded, her blue eyes wide with wonder. “You didn’t know
we’d found him, Mr. Rainsford.” Obviously Mr. Rainsford knows how
determined you are, Trix, Jim thought to himself
with a fond glance in the sandy blonde’s direction. Feeling Madeleine’s eyes
upon him, he averted his gaze to Mr. Rainsford, who was in the middle of a
speech. “…girls hadn’t
found Jim by now, I’d have to notify the police.” Remembering he
hadn’t accepted Madeleine’s invitation, he walked over to the table and sat
down beside her. “I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble, sir. I didn’t know
you were looking for me, and my stepfather—” At the mention of
Jacobson Jones, Mr. Rainsford’s spine stiffened. He’d been horrified by the
information Jones’ neighbors gave him, and hoped there was a way to put the
man behind bars. “Don’t give him a second thought,” he said gently. He turned
to Honey’s father. “Well, Wheeler, what do you think? Do you want to take
over my charge while I’m gone? We don’t have to make any permanent arrangements
until after you two have tried it out. I think Jim deserves a good home, and
I can’t think of a better person to look after his inheritance.” “I’ll take good
care of his money,” Matthew said with a laugh, “but as to having me as his
guardian, why I think that’s up to Jim.” Fear gripped Jim’s
heart as he thought about being in subjection to a man other than his father.
His previous experience with Jonesy had left scars that went deeper than the
physical ones on his back. Paranoia took over and screamed at him to run away
as fast as he could. A cold sweat broke out along his hairline and neck,
traveling down his back as his eyes studied Matthew’s leather belt. His
stomach churned as he wondered for the thousandth time if perhaps Jonesy’s abuse
was actually his own fault. If so, history could repeat itself with Matthew
Wheeler. You can’t please them, he
thought to himself. They’ll hate you
and wish they’d never adopted you. Nobody could ever love you. Mr. Wheeler
will just beat you just like Jonesy did. Run away now before he can touch
you! Just as Jim planted
one foot on the floor so he could bolt, long, tapering fingers lightly
touched his hand, returning him to reality and calming his rattled nerves. “You don’t have to
answer now, Jim,” Madeleine said quietly as she patted his hand soothingly.
“We’d like to take out adoption papers right away, but it wouldn’t be fair
not to give you a chance to get to know us first.” Jim’s head spun
around and he looked in wonder at Honey’s mother. Jonesy had never given him a choice before, never considered his feelings. Maybe I should take a chance, he
thought to himself. Carefully searching Madeleine’s face, he saw a glimpse of
something familiar— fear. Emerald eyes locked with hazel ones, and Jim
realized they weren’t so different after all. Something in Madeleine’s eyes
beckoned him to stay, and for the first time in that meeting, he began to
feel a little more at ease. Jim laughed
nervously, praying it didn’t sound as phony to the others as it had to him.
“It isn’t that, Mrs. Wheeler. I know Honey and there isn’t anyone I’d rather
have for a sister.” Unable to forsake his fears, he added apprehensively,
“But you and Mr. Wheeler don’t know anything about me.” A knowing smile
appeared on Madeleine’s face. “We know more than you think.” No longer able to
keep quiet, Trixie exploded, “He’s just great, Mrs. Wheeler. Why, he’d be the
best big brother Honey could ever have! He took good care of Joeanne Darnell
when she ran away. Well, except for cutting her hair of course, but I’m sure
he won’t cut Honey’s. I mean, he had
to cut Joeanne’s, and as long as Honey doesn’t get hers stuck in a tree,
she’ll be okay. “And he’s the most
wonderful boy in the whole world, and I know that from experience. I have two
older brothers to compare him to, and Jim’s way better than Mart and Brian, especially Mart. “And he can do lots
of stuff to help out. He fixed the tire on trailer thieves’ van. Not the
‘fixed’ as in ‘repair’ kind of fix. I mean the ‘sabotage’ kind of ‘fixed’. I
wouldn’t want you to think he aids and abets criminals. Jim’s the most
honorable boy on the planet! And I’m almost certain that he won’t ‘fix’ your
tires like that. Well, unless you ask him to, and he’s so obedient that he’d
do it, although he wouldn’t like it much. “And he’s a good
worker. He picked a ton of beans
for Mrs. Smith, and now she wants him to stay forever and ever! If you don’t
adopt him, she will.” While Trixie paused
briefly to catch her breath, Madeleine studied her carefully. The exuberant
girl’s devotion to the redheaded runaway did not escape her attention. She
smiled softly as she took in Trixie’s brightened eyes, flushed cheeks, and
bouncing curls. She also noticed Jim’s habit of tossing affectionate glances
the young blonde’s way. She almost chuckled at the boy’s sigh of relief when
Trixie concluded her enthusiastic endorsement, wondering if his exasperation
was really feigned. “Oh, heck,” Jim
groaned, “Trixie’s trying to make me out a hero. Don’t pay any attention to
her!” Madeleine watched
as Honey reached over and tapped her father’s knee to get his attention. A
sentimental smile tugged at the corners of her lips when she saw Matthew’s
doting expression as he turned to his daughter. “Please, Daddy?”
Honey begged. “Adopt Jim right this minute. You don’t know Mrs. Smith. She’s
the smartest woman I’ve ever heard of. If you don’t watch out, she’ll get him
first.” It’s as good as done, Madeleine
thought in amusement. Matthew will
never say no to Honey. Jim burst into
laughter. “Mrs. Smith will have her hands full with that Darnell family.”
When he glanced over at Honey and her father, the affection between the two
was obvious. Matthew’s tender expression as he looked at his daughter
reminded Jim so fiercely of his own father that his heart ached. The empty
spot left behind after Win’s death seemed to grow as he wistfully watched the
interaction between a loving father and his beloved child. I want that too. The tiny voice in
the back of his mind may have been soft, but it was powerful. The longing for
a father overcame all of Jim’s anxieties. Gulping back his fear, he sobered
suddenly and said to Matthew, “I don’t know how you feel about it, sir, but
as far as I’m concerned I’d consider myself lucky if you’d consider trying me
out for the rest of the summer.” Matthew’s sandy
eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Consider! We’ve been trying to tell you for
the past half hour that we would consider ourselves
lucky if you’d consider having us.” Holding his breath,
Jim hesitantly turned his gaze to Honey’s mother. He exhaled in relief as she
broke in with a tinkling laugh. “Oh, Matthew, you and all your considers. For heaven’s sake, tell the
boy and Mr. Rainsford that they can consider the matter settled.” Honey smiled up
happily at her mother. Feeling brave enough to clasp her hand, she shyly
teased, “Now, you’re doing it, Mother. Oh, Jim, it is settled, isn’t it?” Madeleine saw the
hopefulness in her daughter’s eyes. Honey’s hand trembled slightly, and
Madeleine gently squeezed it reassuringly. Please say yes, Jim. For Honey’s sake, please… Much to everyone’s
relief, a slow grin spread over Jim’s freckled face. His green eyes
sparkling, he looked over at Honey. “From where I sit, it is, Sis, so you’d
better watch your step from now on.” Jim’s attention was
diverted by a loud clattering of a chair. He gasped as Trixie skidded across
the linoleum floor and opened the screen door with a flourish, not even
bothering to keep it from slamming shut. Madeleine watched
Jim’s reaction with great interest. She leaned down to him and whispered, “Go
see what’s wrong, Jim. Then we can have lunch before we leave for home.” Obediently, Jim
followed Trixie, making sure to close the door more quietly than she had. He
looked around the lawn surrounding the dining hall, but he didn’t see her.
However, when he turned his head, he saw her standing to his far right, in the
corner of the large covered porch of the building. Silently, he walked over
to her. He noticed her
shoulders were shaking, causing her sandy curls to bob up and down. The sun
was shining through the opening between the porch’s handrail and roof, bathing
her body in a golden glow. Jim inhaled deeply as he admired the angelic
effect. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but stopped short before his
fingertips actually met her flesh. He lowered his hand back to his side and
exhaled, hoping to release his confusing thoughts with the air that passed
through his lips. “They’re waiting
for you inside,” he said in a husky voice. He grinned as Trixie turned around
to face him. Her china blue eyes were round with surprise, and the tears in
their corners brightened their already brilliant hue. The curl that tempted
Jim immensely settled into its usual place in the middle of Trixie’s
forehead. He had never
wanted to kiss someone more. Frightened by these
strange feelings, he shifted his mental gears into teasing mode and gave her
a gentle push. “In you go, kid. I’m top man around here now.” Jim held his breath
as he watched Trixie toss her head, making the curls bounce around until they
settled around her face in an unruly fashion. His heart skipped a beat as a
saucy grin parted her full, pink lips, accentuating the dimples on either
side. “Just wait till
Brian and Mart come back from camp, Jim Frayne,” she replied tartly. “Then
we’ll see who’s boss around here.” He had to admit
that he was a bit surprised when she meekly followed him through the door,
muttering something about dreams. He led her back to the large table,
casually claiming the seat beside her when she sat down. After a bit of
discussion, the adults stood. They walked over to where the food was being
served, Matthew teasing Madeleine about what sorts of “gourmet delicacies”
the cafeteria might serve. Honey, reluctant to leave her mother’s side, went
up with the adults. As Jim watched his
new family, his heart thumped loudly, wondering what life with the Wheelers
would be like. The dark, foreboding clouds from his past drifted back over
him. Will I be happy in Sleepyside? Mr.
Wheeler seems nice now, but what if he starts acting like Jonesy? And what if
Jonesy tries to find me? What if he— A shove on his
shoulder broke Jim out of his melancholy. He looked up into a pair of round
china blue eyes. Trixie stood beside
him, hands on hips and toe tapping impatiently. “Jim? Aren’t you getting in
line with everybody else?” The ominous clouds
seemed to vanish just as quickly as they appeared. Suddenly, although they
were inside the dining hall, Jim had to fight the urge to shield his eyes
from the bright sunlight. A sheepish
grin played languidly across his lips. “I guess I was in my own little world
and didn’t hear what you said.” Trixie exhaled
loudly in exasperation. “Jeepers, Jim. You need to pay attention.” She
reached down and tugged on his hand to hoist him to his feet. “C’mon! I’m
hungry. Let’s get something to eat.” “Lead the way,
Captain,” Jim answered with a mock salute. “You big goof,”
Trixie said, giggling. She raced on ahead of him, her shiny curls bouncing
with each step she took. Jim watched her a
bit fondly before catching up, quite willing to follow the tiny blonde
cyclone wherever she would lead.
A
huge thank you to my splendid editors and friends, Kaye, StephH, and Kathy.
Once again I’m amazed by how helpful each of you are, in totally different
ways. Thanks for being such awesome editors and even better friends.
{{{HUGS}}} Most
of the conversation from this story, as well as several of the actions, is
taken directly from The Red Trailer Mystery. This might be a good time
to mention that no profit is being from this web site, and that these
characters belong to Random House Publishers. In
response to a comment I received about Matthew’s sandy eyebrows, let me
explain. In the books, Matthew’s brows are sandy, which I explain by giving
him reddish-gold (technically strawberry-blond, but Matthew didn’t like that
term) hair. I did make his eyes a distinctive shade of green, to
differentiate him from For
further insight into Jim’s issues regarding his abuse, read “Ain’t
Too Proud to Beg” in
my Glimpses into the Future Universe. Of course, more about Jim’s
abuse later… To
answer one of my editor’s questions, yes, Trixie’s speech about Jim was
written by me, but was inspired by what Julie Campbell said she talked about
it in the story. Trixie
did bolt out the door after Jim announced he would stay. I thought that was a
plum opportunity for a sweet T&J moment. And for the record, Jim’s voice was husky when he talked to her. J The
reference to Trixie being Jim’s sunshine references back to “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. And
yes, he is willing to follow her
wherever she leads. More about that later… “My Boy”, the final story in this trilogy, is now showing!
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