As soon as they stepped into the house, Joe inhaled deeply, smelling the wonderful aroma of cooking hamburgers. It was then that his stomach chose to remind him of how much breakfast he hadn't eaten that morning.

"Mom?" Kinzy shouted, stepping into the kitchen. "I'm home."

"You sure are early, but that's good," came the reply from the room in front of them. "I could use some help lifting these boxes. I'm in the dinning room. I've been going through your brother's old stuff."

She gulped and headed towards the entrance of the dinning room. Joe wondered what made her more nervous-having to tell her mother she couldn't lift things, or having to go through her dead brother's things.

She shot Joe a look. "Mom, I can't lift anything. At least not for a few days. But I brought someone with me who can."

"What do you mean, you won't be able to lift anything for a few days?" The voice became alarmed. "Did you get hurt today?"

"Just a little. It's nothing serious--"

"Kinzer Renee Phillips, get in here right now!" The tone implied that the speaker was not to be questioned. "Why didn't you call me after it happened?"

"I'm sorry, Mom," the white-haired girl replied meekly. "I knew you were busy and I didn't want to bother you. Besides, like I said, it's nothing serious. There would have been no reason for you to come out there." With that she stepped into the dinning room, Joe right behind her.

His blue eyes went wide with shock as he suddenly realized why there was a ramp leading up to the house instead of the usual stairs.

Kinzy's mother had long blond hair that was pulled back into a tight ponytail. her silver eyes were, at the moment, filled with concern and hurt. She was a small woman, but Joe had no way of telling how tall she actually was, for she was sitting in a wheelchair.

Her eyes went wide at the sight of the bloodstained bandage circling her daughter's arm. "Are you alright?" she said, wheeling herself forward to inspect it. "What happened?"

"I'm fine." Kinzy gave Joe a meaningful look. "My rope just rubbed part of the way through on a rock, and my weight caused it to completely snap. I fell and hit my arm against some rocks."

Joe gave her a slight nod. He understood what she was doing. She didn't want to upset her mother any more than she already was.

"Well, I'm just thankful that you weren't hurt any worse, and that you're okay." Mrs. Phillips's eyes were still concerned, but she let the matter drop. She started to turn around, and that's when she noticed Joe, standing quietly to one side. "Excuse my bad manners, young man. I didn't mean to ignore you. Kinzy, who's your friend?"

A slow smile spread across Kinzy's face. "Mom, this is Joe Hardy. He saved my life this morning."

The older woman also smiled as she held up a hand for the younger Hardy to shake. "Fenton's baby. I see you take after your father, always helping people. Thank you so much for helping my baby. I don't know what I'd do without her."

Kinzy's face turned a slight shade of red and she stared at the floor, obviously embarrassed.

Joe returned the smile. He liked this woman already. "It was my pleasure, Mrs. Phillips. And I'll be glad to lift or carry any thing that you can't."

"Please, call me Valerie. We're not very formal around here. And I'm not going to worry about moving this stuff right now," she said, gesturing to a pile of boxes that sat on the dinning room table. "Though I thank you. We'll just eat lunch in the living room." She lifted an eyebrow. "You are staying for lunch, aren't you?"

Joe nodded. "I would be honored, if it's too much of a problem."

Valerie waved her hand absently in the air. "It's not a problem at all. You saved my daughter's life. Your welcome in this house anytime you want, and it's not going to be a problem. Besides, I've been wanting to meet you and your brother ever since Kinzy told me you were here."

She wheeled herself past them and into the kitchen. "You can wash up in here instead of having to go all the way to the kitchen," she called back over her shoulder. "The food should be almost ready."

Kinzy watched her mother as she disappeared into the kitchen, then turned to face Joe. "Thanks for not saying anything back there," she said softly. "I didn't her any more upset than she already was. Since the accident when Dad died and she was paralyzed and losing both my brother and my boyfriend, she's kinda paranoid about letting me go out and doing things."

Joe just stared back at her, unable to say anything. The shock, he knew, had to be evident on his face. She had mentioned her brother dying, and he knew her mother was paralyzed, but she hadn't said anything about her dad and boyfriend!

I thought losing Iola was hard. I can't imagine what I would go through if I lost Dad and Frank, too. Not to mention having Mom paralyzed. His respect for both Phillips women grew considerably in that moment.

She gave him a small, sad smile. Obviously, she knew what he was thinking. "Come on," she said softly, linking her good arm through his. "Let's go eat."

The hike back to the van didn't seem to take as long as the hike there had, much to the relief of the five hikers. The cold water had revived them all, both their strength and their humor, so the time flew by as they joked back and forth with each other, laughing.

It wasn't until they reached the van and Frank saw Joe's jacket lying over the back of the passenger seat through the windshield that he realized he hadn't thought about his brother at all since lunch. Guilt washed over him as he remembered Joe's harsh accusations from the day before as they had argued.

"But tomorrow is my day, and if I want Nancy to come, then she will."

"And you wouldn't even notice I was there. You'd be too busy talking to Nancy."

He was right, Frank thought miserably to himself as he silently climbed into the passenger seat of the Hardy's van. I did get completely wrapped up in talking to Nancy, catching up with her. I never even thought about him all afternoon. I'm so sorry, Joe.

He continued to stare at the dark blue floorboard of the van as his tears of guilt and anger threatened to spill out. This vacation is supposed to be for our family, to give Joe time to heal, to let him know we're there for him. Sure Joe went with Kinzy, but he's found a kindred spirit in her. She's been the best therapy for him yet. Better than even me. What kind of big brother am I?

Fenton could tell something was wrong with his son as soon as he slid behind the steering wheel. Frank, being unnaturally quiet for someone who was joking around no less than two minutes ago, was staring down at the floorboard. His eyes were also extremely bright, like he was going to cry.

He reached over and touched his son on the shoulder. "Frank?" he asked softly, eyes concerned. "Are you okay, son? Is something wrong?"

Frank shook his head and gave his father a faint smile, the best one he could manage. "No, Dad. Nothing's wrong. I'm fine. Honest!"

Mr. Hardy wasn't the least bit convinced, but he returned his son's smile and let the matter drop.

Frank continued to stare down at the floor, not wanting to face anyone, especially Nancy. The guilt, he knew, had to be evident on his face. it was gnawing at him, deep inside. That's why he never saw how Nancy was staring at him, never noticed the concerned look on her face. She didn't know what was wrong, but she knew something was bothering her friend. And she has a sneaking suspicion that it had something to do with her.

Joe had finally finished eating about an hour later, putting away three burgers before he was fully satisfied. He and Kinzy had carried the dishes back into the kitchen, her arm, she assured him, not hurting at all. He had offered to wash the dishes for them, since she couldn't move her arm even if it didn't hurt, but she firmly declined. He was their guest and wasn't about to wash anything. Besides, they had a dishwasher to use.

So they went back into the living room where her mother was, which is where they had stayed. The two teenagers sat on the leather sofa, two glasses of coke, a pack of crackers, and a container of vegetable-flavored cream cheese--"desert," Kinzy had told him--sitting on the coffee table in front of them. Valerie was sitting in a comfortable looking recliner across from them, sipping her own can of coke.

"So, Joe. How is your father doing?" Valerie asked, lounging back as they chomped on their 'desert.' "I haven't heard from him in...Oh, I think it's been about a year now. He was always such a nice man, calling up to check on us after my son's accident."

Joe had to smile at her description of his father. "Yeah, that's Dad, all right. He's a great guy. He even lets me and Frank help out with his cases sometimes."

"Yes. I remember him mentioning something about that last time we talked. I think it's great that you and your brother take after him so much. Sometimes I wish Steve and Kinzy hadn't taken after me so much." She shot her daughter a fond look.

Joe, however, wasn't paying much attention. He inwardly cringed when she mentioned talking to his father. Great, Dad. Thanks a lot. At least you didn't tell her that Frank and I are actually full-blown detectives on our own. Let's just hope you didn't tell her my entire life story, including things that could get me into a major bind. Like the fact that I had a girlfriend, or that Frank and I drove a yellow convertible when Kinzy knows I have a van.

"We both want to become detectives, just like Dad," he continued, noticing the silence. "Mom wants us to become doctors or lawyers or something of that nature. I could never do something like that. Now Frank could. He's a genius, great with computers. Me, I'm just average."

"Nothing wrong with that," Kinzy said assuredly, spreading cream cheese thickly on a cracker. She made a face. "Of course, my math grades are just a tad bit below average--"

Valerie cleared her throat and shot a glare at her daughter, who ducked her head and blushed.

"Well, okay. So my math grades are way below average. But I manage to get by." She bit into her cracker for comfort.

Joe's grin widened as he watched the exchange between the mother and daughter. They reminded him so much of times he had spent with his father, especially when discussing his grades. Fenton was never angry, never condescending. Always gentle, but firm. It made him sad to think that Kinzy had missed out on times like that.

Fish for information, Hardy, he sternly told himself. As long as you're stuck in the middle of this chit-chat, you might as well find something worthwhile.

"So, where do you go to school?" Joe asked casually, reaching for his coke as he stared at Kinzy. "I don't remember seeing one close by."

"That's because there's not one," she informed him, licking cream cheese off of her fingers. "I'm part of a home school group here at the park. Most of us who work here are. It allows us to have a full schedule for work."

"And how many are in a group?" Joe took a drink, hoping Kinzy didn't realize what he was doing and think he was just overly curious.

She shrugged. "Usually ten. Sometimes a few more. Never over fifteen, though."

"Wow. Must be nice." And it shortens my list of suspects in who would've wanted to cut her rope, if it's someone from school.

"Yeah, I guess it is. That is, if you don't mind being around the same few people all your life." She shrugged again. "Funniest thing is that we all get along great. I guess we've all learned to live with each other. No since hating one another when you're going to be around each other all the time."

Joe felt like sighing. Well, scratch that idea...

"What about sports?" he asked, taking another sip of his coke. "I know firsthand that you're awesome out on the river, but do you do anything else?" Anything that would make someone want to kill you?

She gave him a puzzled look. "You mean, your dad didn't tell you? I thought that he would have, once he realized who I was."

Joe was baffled. Dad never keeps anything from me! "Tell me what?"

Slowly, her trademark devilish grin appeared, causing Joe to also smile, although a bit hesitantly. "You really don't know, do you? Then you're coming with me!"

And before Joe had a chance to figure out what the girl could be talking about, Kinzy had grabbed him by the hand, yanked him off the couch, and was dragging him behind her as she raced down the hallway.

Frank stayed wrapped up in his gloomy silence during the entire ride back to the campsite. Fenton and Carson joked back and forth-mostly lawyer and cop jokes-while Nancy and Bess conversed quietly in the back seat. He just stared out of the window, contemplating his crime and wallowing in his guilt.

How could I have done that to him, my own brother? How could I have done that to myself? I told myself that he was wrong, he had to be. That there was nothing to keep me from thinking about him for a full day. Well, Joe. It looks like you were right this time.

Frank couldn't help but smile at that last thought. Too bad you can't read my mind, bro. This is the only time-and I mean the only time-you'll ever catch me admitting that you were right about something.

His grin widened, as he could just imagine his younger brother's reaction to that.

"Ha! I was finally right about something!" In his mind, Joe's blue eyes sparkled mischievously, and he had a smug grin on his face. "And you admitted it! Where's all that big brother wisdom now, Frank? Cause I was right!" Then , still in his mind, he could Joe do his little dance move he always did when he showed Frank up.

The mental image of his brother was just too much for Frank as he began to giggle. As he thought more and more about it, sharpening the picture in his mind, his giggle grew and grew until it was a full-blown laugh.

All conversation that was taking place at that time ceased as Frank continued to laugh. They all stared at hit him in wonder. He had been deathly silent, now he was suddenly laughing over...nothing.

"What is he doing?" Bess whispered to Nancy, never taking her eyes off the laughing teenager. For some odd reason she was almost afraid to speak any louder.

"I think he's laughing," Nancy whispered back. She too didn't want to talk any louder than a whisper.

"Over what?" Bess wanted to know. "Has he lost his mind?"

Nancy could only shrug. She hadn't the faintest idea either.

Finally, Frank was able to calm himself down to a mere chuckle.

"I'm s-sorry guys," he spluttered, wiping tears from his eyes. "It was just a thought. Really."

"What's so funny?" Fenton asked, amused at his son's behavior. He was glad Frank was laughing about something after the depressed air he'd had ever since getting back into the van. He didn't care what it was that had set him off!

"Well, you see, on Monday, Joe and I were talking about how I'm always right, what with being the big brother and all. He said something last night, and I told him that he was going to be wrong. I was going toprove him wrong. Turns out he was right after all. I was thinking about it was a shame he couldn't read my mind, since it would be the only place and time I would admit that he was right about something. Then I got this crazy idea of what his response would be if he could read my mind. The mental image I got was just so funny--" He wasn't able to contain himself any longer, and burst into laughter all over again.

A slow smile spread across Fenton's face as his eyes flickered back and forth between the road and his son. "I think his giggle box is turned over." And, without warning and for no apparent reason, he, too, began to laugh. Frank's absurdity was contagious.

Carson couldn't help but start to chuckle himself as he watched the two. The dynamic duo, he thought to himself. That set him off into his own, uncontrollable laughter.

Nancy and Bess simply sat in the back, staring at the three laughing men with stunned expressions on their faces.

"They've all gone crazy!" Bess breathed, her eyes wide.

"I think so, too." But the corner's of Nancy's mouth were beginning to turn up. There was something about watching everyone else laugh over nothing that was incredibly funny. Maybe I'm going crazy, too.

Suddenly, she, too broke out into laughter. She had no idea why. She just couldn't help herself.

Bess turned to her. "Oh, no. Not you, too!" she moaned, pouting. "I just don't see what's so funny!"

Nancy didn't either, but she knew that she had never felt as good as she did just then, laughing over absolutely nothing.

I was wrong earlier, she thought to herself, still laughing. Now this day is perfect!

"Oh, wow..."

That was able Joe was able to form the sounds to say as he stared, almost stupidly, at the room that Kinzy had led him into. The sight that lay before him was enough to drive anyone speechless.

Trophies of all shapes and sizes sat everywhere in the room, glittering like precious jewels under the harsh, fluorescent lighting. Pictures lined the shelves above them, and various sports equipment either hung or lay in it's respective spot.

Joe's mouth was working up and down, but it took a few minutes before any sound was able to come out. "When you said you played sports--"

Kinzy laughed, looking pleased with herself. "You thought that I probably only played one or two, and that those were the sports everyone else plays." She grinned. "Well, I do play those. Some of them, anyways. But I'm more of an extreme-type athlete." She picked up a rather large trophy and held it so that Joe could read the inscription on its base.

"Nineteen ninety-nine Sunday River competition," he muttered aloud. "Women's Freestyle Snowboarding First Place Kinzy Phillips."

His eyes went wide. "Snowboarding?" he practically shouted, staring at the trophy like it was some kind of illusion. Then his eyes moved to the white-haired girl who was holding it. "You snowboard? "

"Yeah. And ski, and surf, and sky dive..." She lifted an eyebrow. "Why?"

"It's just that--Well, I--You--" Joe sputtered and began to blush fiercely, turning a deep scarlet color.

"What's wrong?" she teased him, grinning. "You don't think that girls can do those kind of sports either?"

His blush deepened, burning his cheeks. That was exactly what he had been thinking. "No," he blurted. "It's just that--Man, how do you manage to do all of this stuff?"

She shrugged modestly. "I don't really know. I make time. Extreme sports are my passion. My life. So I make sure I stay in shape and really practice whenever I get the chance to. And I get to meet a lot of people." Her voice softened as she walked across the room to pick up a famed photograph from s shelf. "Besides, it's more than worth all the hard work. That's how I met Brixton." She studied the photograph, her face soft.

Brixton must be the boyfriend she mentioned earlier, the one that died, Joe thought as he came to stand behind her so that he could also see the picture.

The girl in the picture was Kinzy, of that Joe had no doubt at all. Even though the little bit of white hair that was sticking out from underneath the ski cap blended in the with the snow-filled background, her silver eyes and trademark devilish grin were a dead giveaway.

She was being held up by two boys who stood on either side of her. The one to the right of her was tall, had blond hair and the silver eyes that identified him as Kinzy's dead older brother, Steve.

The boy on the left had longish dark hair and blue eyes that glittered in the sunlight. His features reminded Joe of the male Abercrombie & Fitch models he had seen. He knew that this had to be Brixton.

All three of them had huge grins on their faces. They were so happy together....

"This was taken about...I think it was a month before they died," Kinzy told him softly, interrupting is thoughts. "It was taken at Sunday River, Maine. There was a snowboard competition going on--we always went to the Sunday River competition--and both Brixton and I were in it. So Mom and Steve got off work and came along with us. We just had a vacation. I think it was the most fun I had ever had."

She hugged the picture tightly to her chest and closed her eyes. Joe saw a tear leak from the corner of her eye and run down her cheek. He wanted to go and comfort her, but something inside of him stopped him from doing so.

"That was a month before someone ripped my life away, took everything away," she said in a choked voice. "Two of the three people I loved the most in this world were gone, just like that, ruining my life. It's not fair, Joe. It's just not fair."

Joe suddenly felt like crying himself. "I know exactly how you feel," he said in a wretched voice. He didn't want to talk about this, but felt he had to. "I-I lost someone very close to me only a month ago, back in Bayport. She was killed in an-uh-accident in my car. I feel so guilty about it. It was all my fault. We had argued, she went out to my car ro get something, and never came back. I tried to get to her, I really did. But Frank held me back. I never got to say I was sorry. I-I killed her."

Why am I telling her this? he asked himself. I thought I was going to keep this to myself, suffer on my own. Oh, God. Why does this hurt so much? I'm only talking about her! Iola, I miss you so much...

He was slightly startled to feel a small hand slip perfectly into his own. Looking up through tear-filled eyes he saw that it was Kinzy who was now holding his hand tightly, her own tears sliding down her cheeks. "It's okay," she assured him in a whisper, reaching up with her free hand to brush a tear away from his face. "I know you feel guilty. I did too. Brixton wasn't supposed to be in that car. I was. I felt like I had killed him. But it wasn't my fault, and it wasn't yours. Do you hear me, Joe Hardy? It's not your fault. No matter what anyone else may say. And it's good to let your feelings out. Don't be ashamed to cry." She gave him the bravest smile she could muster. "Besides, I'm sure she would want you to. It'll make you feel better."

Joe couldn't hold it in anymore. The night before he had cried for everyone whose life he had ruined. For Iola, Frank, and his father. He hadn't thought about himself. So, this time, it was going to be different. As he fell into Kinzy's waiting arms, unable to stop the flood of tears that were filling his eyes, he knew that he was crying for himself and no one else.

"It's okay," she soothed him, holding him tight and gently rocking him back and forth. "Just let it all out. I understand. I know what it's like."

"I know what it's like..."

Those words echoed over and over through Joe's mind till he felt like he was weeping with relief rather than sorrow. Frank, his dad, Nancy, none of them had any idea of what he was going through. They had never experienced the guilt and grief he was feeling. But this girl, the complete stranger he had met only the day before, she knew. She understood more than anyone. She had gone through the same thing he had, even worse. I-I don't know what to say to her. Oh, Kinzy. Please don't let go...

"It'll go away," she continued to whisper to him, holding him. "The pain, the hurt, the empty ache in your heart. It'll never go completely away, but it'll fade. I promise you'll make it through. You just have to give yourself some time."

"I can't believe how much it just hurts, " he managed to choke out between his sobs. "My heart--it feels like it's gone."

"I know. But it'll eventually come back. You've got to give it some time, too, to let it heal. Things will never be the same, Joe. That much I can promise you for sure. You can try, your brother can try. But things are going to be different than they were before for as long as you live."

How I wish I could make Frank understand that. He thinks that I'm just going to pick myself up, dust myself off, and be the same old Joe I was before the accident. But I at least have Kinzy to talk to for now.

He sighed and managed to pull away. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and sniffed one last time as the tears stopped running down his face. "Listen, do you mind if we head on back towards the campsite? I-I need to talk to Frank about something."

She nodded, smiled, and gave his hand one last squeeze before dropping it. "Sure. I'll drive you. My arm doesn't hurt that bad at all, and I won't have to move it too much."

"Sure." He paused. "Oh, and Kinzy?"

"Hmm?"

He gave her a small smile, the best one he could manage. "Thanks. Thanks for everything."

She returned his smile and winked. "No problem at all. I'm always here if you need me. Now, let's get out of here. I'm going to have to take some time to get used to practically driving with only one hand!"

Frank was in good spirits when the van swung into his parking spot next to Nancy's blue Mustang. He had spent the remainder of the trip back joking around with the others once they had all quit laughing. He hadn't quite got over his earlier guilt, but he did feel better about it.

Fenton was glad to see Frank back to his normal, cheerful self. Having one depressed son while on vacation was bad enough. He didn't think he could handle two of them. Not at the same time, anyways.

"Ah, familiar territory," Carson said as he practically had to unfold himself from the van. "Nan, sweetie, let's stretch out a bit before we cram ourselves back into your sardine can of a car."

Nancy, who was jumping out the van with Bess right behind her, laughed. "Sure thing, Daddy. My legs are stiff, too."

Bess stood on her tiptoes and reached up with her hands, stretching her whole body like a cat, then wincing as her back popped. "Ouch!"

Frank glanced around the empty campsite, his face falling as he realized his brother wasn't there to greet them.

I thought that he'd be back by now, he thought, glancing down at his watch. It read as being three in the afternoon. He's been with Kinzy for, let's see...eight hours now! He must really be having fun, or would just rather be around her than us.

Frank felt the guilt come crashing back down on him as he realized that he had caused his brother to want to spend more time with a total stranger than with him.

Like you've really been giving him a reason to want to spend time with you, sneered a voice in the back of his head. Ever since Nancy came into the picture, she's the only person you've bothered paying attention to.

That's not true, Frank protested. Joe and I--We-- He stopped himself, feeling ashamed. The voice was right and he knew it.

See? it said gleefully. I told you so!

"Frank?"

The feel of Nancy's light touch on his shoulder made the older Hardy boy jump, startled. He turned to look at her, but his guilt and shame wouldn't let him, knowing that she was part of the problem. So he stared at the ground instead.

"Are you okay?" Nancy asked softly, her voice full of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he muttered, still not looking up at her. "I was just hoping that Joe would be here."

"Oh." She paused, not really sure what to say. He was upset about something. Over what she could only guess. "Well, we're going to head on back to our camp. I guess I'll see you later?" This last part was spoken a bit hesitantly.

"Sure. Later."

Nancy was still concerned over her friend's behavior, but she could tell that Frank didn't want to talk to her. She just wished she knew why he was so upset.

So her, her father, and Bess finished saying their individual goodbyes to Mr. Hardy, thanking him for taking them along on the hiking trip. Then they piled into Nancy's car and pulled out onto the dirt road, speeding off in the direction of their campsite.

Fenton watched them until he could no longer see the car before turning to look at his son, who still hadn't moved from his spot. Something was deeply troubling Frank, and his father was determined to find out what exactly it was.

"A penny for your thoughts?" he asked quietly, using Joe's favorite statement as he went to stand behind Frank.

Frank sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. He might have been able to hide his feelings from Nancy, but he knew he could get nothing by his detective father.

"It's me, Dad," he said miserably. "I'm a terrible person."

Fenton had to blink at his surprise. This was the last thing he had expected to come from his son's mouth. "Why do you say that?" he asked, his voice still soft.

"I wasn't lying when I said earlier that Joe and I were joking about how I was always right Monday night," he continued, his eyes still closed. He refused to see the statement of pity--or maybe sympathy--on his father's face. "Yesterday, when we were arguing, Joe said that it didn't matter that he wasn't going on the hike with us. He said that, with Nancy there, I wouldn't even notice him."

Frank's hands balled into fists at his side. "I told myself that I would prove him wrong, even if only to myself. I told myself that there was no way I could go a whole day without constantly thinking about him."

A lone tear leaked from the corner of his eyes. He clinched his hands tighter. "But you know what?" he said in a tight whisper, finally opening his eyes again. Fenton had a sinking feeling he knew what was coming next. "Joe was right. I hardly thought about him all day, thinking about Nancy instead. And, when we got back to the van and I saw his jacket, I realized I hadn't thought about him at all the entire afternoon. I'm awful, Dad. I-I cared more about being with Nancy than my own brother!"

Fenton sighed as he placed a hand on both of his son's shoulders. "Frank, if it makes you feel any better, I did the exact same thing," he admitted very softly, hating himself for it. "I was enjoying being with you guys so much that I forgot that Joe wasn't there, too."

Frank turned to stare into his father's eyes with his own tear-filled ones. The surprise, he knew, was evident on his face. "What does that make us, then?"

"Human," Mr. Hardy answered with a smile. "Don't think that you're a terrible person because of it, Frank. It's human nature. I'll bet you that Joe didn't think of us today, either. It's no big deal."

Frank relaxed. His father's words made him feel better.

Somewhat.

Joe was nervous as he steered the four-wheeler back through the dusty streets towards his campsite. He had asked Kinzy to let him drive there, to help himself to calm down. He kept rehearsing the conversation he was going to have with his brother over and over in his head. He had already told Kinzy about his plans for the next day. Although she had vehemently protested the idea, she hadn't been able to change his mind.

It won't be too bad, the younger Hardy assured himself for what had to be the millionth time since starting out. Once Frank realizes that Kinzy's life is in danger, he'll understand. We can still spend time together. I'll just be keeping an eye on her at the same time.

All too soon, they were at the campsite. Joe saw his brother stand up to greet them, and the guilt over what he was about to do washed over him again. But he knew he had to make Frank understand. If he didn't, he would spend the next day going crazy with worry.

As he slid off the four-wheeler and began walking over to where his brother was waiting, Kinzy caught his arm. "Are you sure about this?" she asked softly, concern dancing in her silver eyes.

"Very," he answered firmly. "I have to do this, Kinzy."

The concerned look in her eyes didn't fade, but Kinzy let go of Joe's arm.

Joe took a deep breath and let it out before walking over to meet Frank.

Frank felt a sense of dread as his brother came towards him, walking slow and deliberate. He didn't like the way Kinzy had stopped him, and he didn't like the look on Joe's face. Something tells me I'm not going to like what he has to say, either.

"Hey, bro," Joe said with a nervous smile, coming to a stop right in front of Frank. "How was the hike?"

"Hot," he answered truthfully, also smiling. "But it was fun." He paused. "What about you? Did you two have a good time?"

'''Er, it was interesting," Joe answered. "Maybe not so good."

Frank frowned. He really didn't like where this was heading. "Why not?" No answer. "Joe, what happened?"

Joe shot a look back at Kinzy before facing Frank again. "Listen, Frank. Can-can I talk to you for a minute?"

He was starting to get a real bad feeling. "Sure thing, Joe. What's up?"

The younger Hardy just stared at the ground for a moment, drawing patterns in the dirt with the toe of his sneaker. Though he had run over this conversation in his head a million times since leaving Kinzy's house, he found it difficult to actually come out and say it.

Finally he just let out a sigh and stared Frank square in the eye. "Something happened this morning, Frank. There was a -uh- accident, and Kinzy fell off of a cliff."

"What?!" Frank's eyes went wide and he stared past his brother to look at the white-haired girl who was sitting on the four-wheeler, obviously trying not to look at the brothers. "Is she okay?"

Joe felt relief wash over him. He's worried about her. This is a good sign.

"Yeah, she's fine. She managed to catch herself before falling too far. She only hurt her arm, thank God. But, Frank, get this. It wasn't really an accident. The rope she was climbing on, it was cut."

"Wait a minute. You're trying to tell me that someone tried to kill Kinzy?" Frank suddenly felt very uneasy. "Did you catch who did it?"

Joe shook his head. "No, and that's what I really need to talk to you about." He shifted his weight from foot to foot, feeling awkward. "I was thinking that she could come along with us on our fishing trip tomorrow. You know, so we can keep an eye on her."

I knew that was what he was going to ask.

Frank shook his head. "No way. Tomorrow is our day, Joe. No girls. You promised, remember?"

"I know I did, Frank. But her life is in danger! She needs to be looked after."

"And it doesn't have to be you," Frank shot back. "All she has to do is stay home and keep the doors locked. Or maybe go stay with a friend for a few days. She doesn't need you to baby-sit her!"

"Oh, yeah? What if someone tries to kill her again?"

"That's not our problem, Joe. We're here on vacation, not a case." Frank could feel his temper flaring. "It's going to stay that way, got it?"

Joe's temper was also on the rise. "What's your problem, Frank? You've never refused to help someone in trouble before."

"I just want to spend the day with my father and brother, okay? Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yeah, there is," Joe sneered back. "You haven't seemed to care too much yet. As soon as you knew Nancy was here it was bye-bye Joe! I'm surprised you didn't ask her to come along with us tomorrow. Or maybe you did and she turned you down."

"That's not true," Frank snapped. "I didn't ask her to come with us so that I could spend some time with you. I was hoping you would extend the same courtesy to me, but I can see that I was wrong."

"That's your problem, Frank. You're always thinking about yourself. No matter how you go around it, it's all about you. If it had been Nancy in Kinzy's position, you would have made her stay with us the whole time she was here! You're so selfish it makes me sick. "

Something inside Frank snapped at those words. Here he had been, drowning in guilt because he had been out, having a good time and not thinking about his brother. Then that same brother has the nerve to show up, ask if he can bring his new girlfriend on the family trip, and then calls him selfish!

Before either brother could realize what was going on, Frank had balled his hand into a fist and swung, delivering a right hook to Joe's face that sent the younger Hardy sprawling in the dirt.

Promises Made