Behind the Hay
Trixie wandered through the spotless Wheeler stable, feeling bored and alone. A few days earlier, Honey and Diana had left for college and Brian and Jim had returned to their own studies. Only Dan and Mart remained in Sleepyside, but Trixie rarely saw them. Stopping at Suzy’s stall, Trixie stopped and rubbed the velvety softness of the little black mare’s nose.
“I wish I could have gone away, Suzy,” Trixie whispered sadly. “Instead I’m stuck here in boring old Sleepyside where nothing interesting ever happens. At least I still have you.”
Trixie laid her head against the mare’s neck, enjoying the mingled scents of hay, leather, and sweet horse sweat that filled the stable. She ran her fingers through the thick mane, enjoying the feel of the coarse hair. Trixie remained at Suzy’s side for several minutes, looking around the familiar stable that was a second home to her. Suddenly, she straightened up as she noticed a partially concealed door frame in the corner. After shoving aside several bales, Trixie found a dark green door that she had never seen before. She tried the handle, but it was locked. She stared at the door for a minute, then went outside and assessed the building.
“There’s no window. Hmmm...interesting.”
Trixie went back inside and walked into Regan’s empty office. “Regan? Are you here?”
All Trixie saw was the groom’s tidy desk and an empty coffee mug. “Should I?”she debated within herself.
Trixie returned to the door and tried the handle again, this time a bit harder. When it didn’t give, she tried a third time, applying as much force as she could, but the door still remained locked. Frustrated, she kicked the bottom of it. To her surprise, she heard the lock tumbler disengage. Trixie turned and looked around the stable. The only sound was the horses as they stood in their stalls, their hoofs pawing softly at the floor.
“Regan?” Trixie called out again. “Are you here?”
When nobody answered, Trixie grasped the doorknob and, holding her breath, turned it slowly, exhaling as the door clicked open. Peeking through the crack, she saw a dark interior so she pulled out her phone and switched on the flashlight. Feeling more confident, she opened the door all the way and entered the room. As she played the light around the walls, Trixie noted the area was quite small and crowded with boxes.
“What are these?”
Suddenly, Trixie heard Regan whistling as he approached the stable. She quickly stepped out of the room and shut the door. In a panic, she realized she didn’t have time to replace the bales of hay. Looking around, she tried to find a hiding place, but didn’t see one so she ducked down as Regan’s shadow passed through the stable’s entrance. Trixie held her breath, hoping that Regan would walk past her and into his office. Trying to make herself as small as possible, she covered her head and waited. When she peeked a few seconds later, she saw Regan’s dusty boots standing next to her. She shook back her curls and slowly stood up.
“Uh, hi, Regan.”
“What are you up to, Trixie?” Regan asked, his eyes stern.
“Nothing. I’m just tying my shoe.”
“Really? You’re wearing flip flops.”
Trixie looked at her feet.
“Want to try again?” he asked.
Trixie hesitated, then blurted, “What’s in this little room behind me? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before and I know this stable like the back of my hand.”
“That’s none of your business.” Regan turned and walked toward his office.
“But, Regan. I accidently opened the door and…”
“You accidentally opened the door? Trixie, that door is locked.”
Trixie’s felt her face redden. “Well, it opened when I tried the knob.”
Regan stopped. “You did what?”
“I’m sorry, Regan. I was curious because I had never seen that door before. But I promise you, the knob did turn. But when I went in there, all I saw were a big bunch boxes with writing along the sides that said…” Trixie paused as she pictured the boxes and the words on them. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she realized what the letters spelled. “Gleeps! Those boxes,” she sputtered, “ said ‘heart shaped bed’. Regan, you have a heart shaped bed in there?”
Regan pursed his lips together.
“Why? I mean, that just doesn’t seem like you. A horse-shaped one, yes. But heart-shaped? I always thought they were kind of…”
“Kind of what?” demanded Regan.
Trixie shrugged. “I don’t know. Kind of honeymoon-suite-ish in the Poconos.”
“Honeymoon suite-ish in the Poconos?” Regan put his hands on his hips.
Trixie nodded her head. “Yeah, with red satin sheets and all that.” Trixie stopped when she saw a blush creeping up Regan’s neck. “Is it yours?”
“Unfortunately, it is.”
Trixie stared at the groom.. “So why is it here in the stable?””
Regan tilted his head. ”Are you done with the questions, Miss Fidget?”
Trixie blushed. “Sorry, Regan. I guess it's really none of my business.”
“You’re right. But now that you’ve asked, I’ll tell you. I won it.”
“You won it?”
Regan nodded. “I entered a drawing, hoping to win a tv, and this was what I got.”
“This looks more like a bad consolation prize.”
Regan nodded toward the closed door. “My thoughts exactly. So It put it in there and piled up the bales of hay hoping nobody would ever find out about it.”
“But it must have been delivered. How did I miss that?”
“Remember when you first met Honey and you two went off in the Silver Swan?” Regan ran his hands through his thick red hair.
Trixie nodded.
“That’s when it arrived.”
And it’s been there ever since? And nobody else knows about it?”
“No. And I aim to keep it that way.”
Neither Trixie nor Regan noticed Dan’s shadow in the doorway. “Keep what that way?” Dan boomed, causing Trixie and Regan to jump.
“Nothing,” Trixie said quickly.
“Yeh, nothing,” echoed Regan, running his hands through his red hair. “I forgot you were stopping by to get some salve for your horse’s front leg.”
Dan eyed the two. “Is something going on here?” he asked.
Trixie smiled innocently. “What could be going on. I came to visit Suzy and Regan is here working.”
“Uh-huh. Then why don’t I believe you, Trixie?”
“Dan, have I ever lied to you?”
“Now I know you’re up to something. Come on, Trixie, out with it.” Dan glanced at his uncle. “Do you have anything to say?”
Regan threw his hands up in the air. “Now two people know.”
“Know what?” asked Dan.
“What’s in this room behind me,” said Trixie.
“So? What’s in it? Do you have a big secret?” Dan teased his uncle.
“As a matter of fact…” Regan walked past Trixie and threw open the door. “There! Are you satisfied?”
Dan poked his head into the crowded, dark room. “All I see are boxes that say...” The stable was quiet as he silently mouthed the words.
Stepping back, Dan looked at the two. “Is this yours?” he asked Regan. A smirk spread across his face. ”And you two said you weren’t up to anything.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Who’s going to tell me about this?”
“There’s nothing to tell. I won it several years ago and stashed it in here. I had the insane idea that nobody would ever know about it.” explained Regan.
Dan’s laughter filled the large building. “You thought nobody would ever know about it? Have you met Trixie Belden?” Dan shifted the boxes around, poking through the small area. “She found it, didn’t she?” demanded Dan as he faced his uncle. “Of course she did. Do I need to give you the lecture you gave me when I was sixteen?”
Regan stood up. “Are you about done, Dan?”
“No. This is too much fun. I came here to get some salve for my horse and I wind up with the secret of all secrets. I still have questions.”
“What are they?” Regan asked through gritted teeth.
“First, how do you tuck in the corners of the sheet when you make the bed and second,...”
Trixie snickered, but stopped when she saw the groom’s irate expression.
“Wait! I have more questions,” protested Dan,
“What?” Regan’s face was tight with anger.
“What are you planning to do with the case of flavored massage oils that was tucked behind the other boxes?”
Trixie’s mouth fell open in surprise. “I didn’t see that.”
“You’re finished,” said Regan firmly. He strode to the office and returned with a tube of cream that he tossed to Dan.
Catching it mid-air, Dan turned to Trixie. “Mart and I are on our way to Wimpy’s. Care to join us?”
Trixie, eyes wide and mouth hanging open, scurried to Dan’s side. “Sorry, Regan,” she gulped.
Regan sighed, “What’s done is done.” He turned back toward his office.
“Hey,” Trixie ran after him, “maybe you can sell it. All you need to do is put a small ad in the Sleepyside Sun. You know, something like: For sale. One heart shaped bed. Kept in a stable.”
Regan stopped abruptly and turned to Trixie, his face horrified, while Dan hooted with laughter. “I think I can handle it, Trixie. You’ve helped enough already.” Regan strode into his office and slammed the door.
“Ouch!” Trixie winced then she followed Dan out of the stable and down the path toward Crabapple Farm.
“Dan.” Trixie yanked at her friend’s arm, stopping his mid-stride. “A heart shaped bed! Flavored massage oils? What’s next?”
“Do we really want to know?” he teased, his lips twitching.
Trixie’s eyes met Dan’s, then the two burst out in a raucous laughter that echoed through the woods.
“For once I’m glad I stayed in Sleepyside,” gasped Trixie. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world!”
Author’s notes: This story is for picture prompt challenge for the Jixanny 17 writing challenge and is based on picture #17. S big thank you to my editor, Judith, and Katia. The story couldn’t have gotten here without them. And Vivian for her wonderful expertise and patience.
Word count: 1684