My Deadly Valentine (15 page)

Authors: Carolyn Keene

BOOK: My Deadly Valentine

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“Nice bit of detective work!” Kyle patted Nancy on the back as they headed up the steps of the Theta Pi house after the ball.

“Nancy always gets her man,” Bess said, then giggled. “Hey, that's a perfect slogan for Sweetheart Week.”

The group laughed.

“Well, you're all invited to brunch tomorrow in Nancy's honor,” Kristin said. “Rosie's coming home from the hospital then. We're really grateful for your help.”

Kristin opened the front door, then let out a whoop. “Hey, look who's here!”

Rosie appeared in the doorway. Casey stood beside her, holding her arm, which was wrapped in a red sling.

“I bailed her out,” Casey said, gazing down at her fondly.

A broad smile spread across Rosie's face. “I talked the doctor into giving me an early release,” she said. “He wouldn't let me go to the dance, but he said it would be okay if I spent the rest of Valentine's Day with my boyfriend.”

“That's great.” Nancy smiled at the couple.

“It's so romantic I could cry,” Bess said.

“Please don't,” Kyle teased her as they stepped into the house.

The rest of the group filed inside, but Nancy and Ned lingered on the porch and stared up at the clear, starry sky. As Nancy leaned against a pillar, music filtered out from the impromptu party that had begun inside.

“I've been waiting all night for a quiet moment,” Ned said, reaching into his jacket for a blue velvet box. “I wanted to give you this.”

“For me?” Nancy smiled as she opened the box. Inside was a gold bracelet with a molded clasp. A closer look revealed that the clasp was a cherub with a bow and arrow. “It's a Cupid!” she laughed. “Now I'll never forget this case.”

“Bring back bad memories?” Ned asked.

“Absolutely not!” Nancy insisted. “Thank you. And I'm sorry I threw Omega's Sweetheart Ball into the dark. It must have put a damper on things.”

“That's okay,” Ned said, taking her in his arms. “I'm just sorry we missed the last dance.”

Nancy looked up at Ned as she slid her arms over his shoulders. “Sounds like we have a second chance,” she said, nodding toward the music inside. “And I've saved the last dance for you.”

Swaying in time to the music, they danced under the moonlight. The night air was crisp and cold, but Nancy felt warm in Ned's arms.

When the music stopped, Ned pressed his lips against her ear and whispered, “Happy Valentine's Day.”

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.