Joe Hardy sat looking out his second story bedroom window in awe at the sight before him. He could not remember having seen a more beautiful sunrise. Truth be told, Joe hadn’t seen too many sunrises. He was not a morning person like his brother. Joe loved to sleep in, especially on Saturday mornings; but that would not be the case this day. Joe had suffered through a long sleepless night, and this time it was not caused by the recurrent nightmare he sometimes had about Iola.

Iola Morton was Joe’s first real love, and his best friend Chet’s little sister. Her life was tragically taken one day almost two years earlier, by an act of terrorism intended for the boys. She had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Joe a senior at Bayport High, along with his brother Frank, himself a college freshman had decided long ago to follow in the footsteps of their detective father. The boys had already solved several cases on their own and Fenton Hardy could not have been more proud of his sons; but he also worried about their safety. Being a detective could prove to be very dangerous.

As Joe sat thinking about the long night before, he just couldn’t put his finger on the reason for his insomnia. The sun was now shining brightly in the October sky, the beautiful sunrise now a memory. Joe Hardy loved autumn, but everyone just assumed from his fun-loving nature, that he was more the summer loving, beach-boy type. Joe never corrected his friends, but this could not be further from the truth. Only two living souls knew this little tidbit of information…Frank, who knew Joe better than anyone and Joe’s longtime girlfriend, Vanessa Bender. Finally, Joe came to the conclusion that the upcoming barn dance at the Morton’s might have something to do with his current state and sleepless night. This would be the first time since Iola’s death that the Morton’s had thrown the annual get-together.

*****

Frank Hardy was just opening his eyes, when Joe bounded into his room. "Frank, are you awake?" Joe asked.

Before he could answer, Joe threw him a pair of sweatpants. Frank knew what this meant…Joe wanted to go for a run along the bay. Frank shook his head while accepting his brother’s invitation to run.

"Great, Frank, you won’t believe what a beautiful day it is out there!" Joe said as he turned to leave the room, so his brother could get dressed.

Before Joe made it out of the door, Frank had to ask one question. "Joe, what are you doing up before me on a Saturday morning, ready to run?"

Frank ran every Saturday, but could only occasionally arouse Joe for an early morning run. Joe looked at Frank lost for words, and immediately, Frank knew why. All he had to do was look into Joe’s tired blue eyes. Frank patted Joe on the back, as the two headed down stairs.

*****

Frank was really glad that Joe had asked him to run. The boy’s lives had become even more hectic, since Frank had started college a few weeks ago, and Joe’s senior year was well under way. They needed some catch-up time. They talked about lots of things during their run, with Frank doing most of the talking while Joe listened intently. Frank rambled on about his professors and how hard it was being a freshman at Bayport University. He also talked about his date with Callie the previous evening. Callie Shaw was Frank’s longtime girlfriend. As he talked about Callie, a smile brightened his face. Glancing at his brother, Joe couldn’t help but smile also. Although, he had to admit he sometimes felt lost at school without his big brother. Joe truly was glad things were going well for Frank.

Two hours later, the boys retuned to the quaint two-story house on Elm Street. Even though Joe was exhausted, the cool brisk air and the realization that he would soon be spending the evening with Vanessa Bender had Joe elated! Vanessa had brought Joe back to the world of the living from his self-induced exile. Joe blamed himself for Iola’s death, and did not think he deserved happiness. Many girls had tried to turn the head of Joe Hardy, and win his heart. After all, Joe was 6ft tall with blonde hair and deep blue eyes, and built like a linebacker! A chance meeting with Vanessa had been the catalyst to bring Joe back to himself and the world. The pair had been happy together for more than a year. Joe truly loved the ash blonde beauty with all his heart.

"Earth to Joe! Hey, Joe?!" Snapping out of his trance, Joe realized Frank was speaking to him. Looking around, he was shocked to discover he and Frank were now sitting on the back deck. The boys’ mother, Laura Hardy had just finished making breakfast. Joe looked up to see his mother headed out the French doors with two plates of food. Joe jumped up to help his mother.

"Thanks honey," Laura said as Joe relieved her of his plate. "I thought the two of you might like some breakfast after your run."

"Thanks, Mom," both boys said in unison.

"What time are you going to the Morton’s?" Laura asked. She knew they had promised to help get things ready for the party.

"Chet said we could come a few hours early, and help load the trailer for the hayride," Frank replied.

Laura and the boys sat chit-chatting for a while, as the boys ate. Soon, she headed inside to clean up the breakfast dishes. "Joe," Frank began, "I really am looking forward to tonight. It will be the first time in a while that the whole gang’s been together. Chet has been one big ball of energy for the last two days. He’s so excited about the dance he can’t stand it! I’m glad that the Morton’s are up to continuing the tradition this year."

Joe grinned at Frank, and replied, "Yeah, I’m glad too, but I think Chet is more excited about his date with Cassidy."

Cassidy Bender was Vanessa’s tiny 5’1" cousin. She had recently relocated to Bayport form Texas. The girl had been living with her grandmother for the last few years. She had lost her father at a young age, and her mother had decided that she was too young to be tied down to a husband and child, and had left long ago. Cassidy had not seen her mother in several years; in fact, she didn’t even know where to find her mother. She never stayed in one place too long. Her grandmother’s health was declining, and the elderly woman felt she could no longer care for the young girl. Andrea Bender had offered to let Cassidy come and live with her and her daughter. Vanessa was thrilled! She really hated being an only child. She had often envied the relationship that Frank and Joe had, and decided this would be the closest thing to having a real sister. The girls had spent their early childhoods together, and remained very close even though circumstances had forced them to be apart the last few years. Vanessa’s father and Cassidy’s father were brothers.

Cassidy had only been in Bayport a few short months. She was a shy little thing, but was fitting in to the group really well. It also didn’t hurt that she apparently had Chet wrapped tightly around her finger. The two had been inseparable ever since Vanessa had introduced them. Chet had fallen in love with the petite brunette at first sight. Chet Morton was walking on air!

*****

Later that day, the boys along with Chet, sat winded on the front porch of the Morton home. The trailer sat loaded and ready for its journey. Vanessa, Callie and Cassidy had also arrived to help Mrs. Morton with the preparations for the event. Just a little over an hour later, the party was in full swing! The dance floor, which consisted of hay bales placed in a circle around the barn, was covered in area teens. Mrs. Morton eyed the scene before her, and a lone tear slipped down her cheek. Iola had always loved the barn dances. The elder Hardy’s had just arrived to help chaperone the dance. Catching sight of her friend, Laura’s heart broke. Laura Hardy approached her friend slowly and gave her a reassuring smile, as she leaned in for a quick hug. Pushing the bittersweet memory away, Mrs. Morton invited the Hardy’s in for coffee. The four adults soon disappeared into the house.

Yes, the gathering as always was a complete success. Biff Hooper and his girlfriend Melody Hall were busy mingling. Tony Prito and Phil Cohen had just arrived. Tony had brought Jill Ford, while Phil’s date for the evening was Abby Lindale. Biff, Tony and Phil along with Chet were the Hardy brother’s closest friends.

Frank and Callie sat quietly eyeing each other at a large picnic table. "Frank, is Joe okay tonight?" Callie asked.

Shrugging his shoulders, Frank replied, "I don’t know. I don’t think he slept at all last night. He woke me up this morning! I think he has something on his mind, but I don’t know what. You know Joe, he’ll be fine." Standing, he gallantly bowed to Callie and asked, "May I have this dance?" As the pair hit the dance floor, one of their favorite soft rock songs began to play.

Joe sat along the back wall of hay, watching Vanessa’s every move. She had been side-tracked by Chet and Cassidy while getting punch. As he watched Vanessa and his friends talking and having a good time, he tried to shrug off the feeling that had been plaguing him. It had returned with a vengeance! Then, out of nowhere, Mr. Morton’s voice boomed. "Alright gang, who’s ready for a hayride?"

*****

Soon, the entire group including the elder Hardy’s and the Morton’s were on their way. While Joe sat holding Vanessa’s hand, he couldn’t help but think of Iola. The long peaceful hayride was her favorite part of the annual event. Joe was barley aware of the animated conversations going on around him. Suddenly, he felt the trailer come to a stop. Although the trip around the farm had taken well over an hour, it seemed to Joe that it had just begun. Vanessa stood, grabbing Joe’s right hand in both of hers and pulled him to his feet. After jumping from the trailer, Joe gently lowered Vanessa to the ground. She softly kissed him on the cheek.

"Joe, are you Ok?" Vanessa asked. She wished that it wasn’t so dark out, so she could see Joe’s eyes clearly. His blue eyes were very expressive and she could easily read his emotions.

"Sure, beautiful, I’m fine," Joe replied.

Vanessa was not convinced. "It’s alright you know, I’m sure being here has brought back a lot of memories of Iola. You don’t have to push your feelings for her away just for me. I love you, Joseph Hardy." With that said, she headed back to the barn to join the others. Vanessa felt Joe needed some time to be alone with his thoughts. She did not question Joe’s love for her. Joe’s heart was so big that there was room for her and a lost love.