Authors: Carolyn Keene

The Cheating Heart (15 page)

BOOK: The Cheating Heart

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“What's that, Nickerson?” she asked.

“It means that you'll be leaving Emerson.” He gave her nose a playful poke.

“But you know, Nan,” said Brook, “there's always room for you at Theta Pi. That is, if you ever have any reason to come back to visit.”

“Oh, I just might find a reason.” Nancy smiled meaningfully at Ned.

“Well, I'm glad I got a chance to meet you, Nancy,” Paul said, reaching out to shake her hand. “I have you to thank for introducing me to
Brookâand for keeping Brook from being hurt by Annie.”

“What else are friends for?” Nancy replied. Then she turned to Brook and gave her a big hug.

“Me next,” Ned interrupted. Nancy turned to Ned and slipped into his comforting arms. “You know I hate mushy goodbye scenes,” he said lightly. “So let's just say, âSee you later.'â”

“See you later,” Nancy echoed. He brushed her forehead with a kiss and let her go. With one last wave, she climbed into her car, switched on the motor, and pulled away.

Nancy was fine until she reached the edge of campus. Then her eyes welled up with tears. Brushing them impatiently away, she tried to concentrate on her driving.

But just as she turned onto the highway that led to River Heights, she noticed from the corner of her eye a plain white sheet of paper, folded in half and tossed on her dashboard.

With a shiver, Nancy remembered all the anonymous notes she'd seen lately. A vision of Annie Mercer's demented scrawl flashed in her memory. Nervously, she picked up the note. With one eye on the road, she flipped the paper open.

Dear Nan,

Sometimes it's hard for me to tell you these things in person. I wasn't very understanding
when you were trying to solve this case. I accused you of not having faith in me, when I didn't have faith in you. Can you forgive me?

Glancing up at the road, Nancy whispered to herself, Yes, Ned, of course I forgive you.

Then she read on:

I know the answer is yes, because I know you love me. And you'd better come back to Emerson soon, so I can show you how much I love you, too.

With all my heart,

Ned

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.