When they returned to the house, they saw Jennifer and Lisa were in the kitchen getting lunch ready. Lisa said, “It’s just the four of us for lunch. Dad and Kevin are counting cattle.”  

“Lunch is ready,” Jennifer said.  

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Lisa said with a smile.  

Frank and Joe sat down as Joe asked, “What’s the surprise?”  

“Well,” Lisa said sitting down beside Joe. “There’s going to be a dance tonight.”  

“A dance?” Joe asked.  

“It’s a square dance,” Lisa said.  

“I don’t square dance.”  

“We don’t have to square dance,” Lisa said. “We can dance real slow and real close.”  

“So, Jennifer,” Frank began when he saw how uncomfortable Joe was getting, “are you going?”  

“Yeah. Kevin is too.”  

“We’ll all have fun,” Lisa said.  

Frank saw Joe looking at him. He could see his little brother did not like this idea one bit. He could see the pleading look in Joe’s eyes that they wouldn’t be going. “I guess we’ll go too. It sounds like fun.”  

“Terrific,” Lisa said excitedly.  

Frank decided to change the subject. Frank asked, “Do you know if there’s a road on the far side of your property?”  

“Sure,” Jennifer said. “It’s an emergency road. It’s kept clear incase of a fire or natural disaster.”  

Frank and Joe exchanged knowing glances. They were thinking the same thing. With the road cleared, it would be easy to get in there and take the cattle from the ranch. They had to find out who it was now.  

* * * * *  

Nancy walked around the ranch. She was glad Frank was all right. She figured their cases were connected. She knew they had to find out who was involved. She knew where the cattle were being taken from. She assumed the cattle were probably being stolen, and then sold for money.  

She wondered why someone would steal from someone else. She had this feeling neither Glenn nor William would steal from one another. She knew someone else was involved.  

“Nancy,” a voice said breaking into her thoughts.  

Nancy turned and saw Becky motioning for her to come onto the porch. She climbed the steps to the porch and saw beside Becky on the swing.  

“How’s it going?” Becky asked.  

Nancy looked around. She didn’t want to discuss the case out in the open. She didn’t know who would walk by. She said, “Everything’s fine.”  

“That’s good,” Becky said. “There’s a reason I called you over. You see, there’s going to be a dance in town tonight. Everyone will be there. You may have a chance to continue investigating there.”  

“It sounds interesting,” Nancy said.  

“I know you have things you need to do, so I won’t keep you.”  

“All right,” Nancy said. “If William is looking for me, let him know I went for a ride.”  

“I’ll let him know,” Becky said.  

Nancy went to the barn and saddled the horse she had ridden the previous day. As she led the horse out of the barn, she noticed some movement to her left.  

She stopped and saw Dave asleep in one of the stalls. He was leaning against the wall with his feet sticking out. She noticed he was wearing sneakers, jeans and a plaid shirt.  

She was shocked. She didn’t understand why William kept Dave on if all he did was sleep. She knew she would be surprised if Dave did any of the work he was supposed to do.  

Nancy left the bar and quickly mounted the horse. She gathered the reins in her hand and rode out into the field. She made her way along the fence again.  

She kept trying to figure who was stealing from William. She needed some clue that would point her in the right direction. She finally reached the part of the fence where she had found the tire tracks. She dismounted and made her way to the fence. She tied the reins to the fence and climbed through. Nancy looked at the ground trying to spot the tire tracks, but couldn’t see them. She moved down along the fence thinking she stopped in the wrong location.  

After a few minutes, Nancy moved back to where she climbed through the fence. She realized someone had covered up the tire tracks. She had this feeling her cover was blown. Someone knew she was investigating.  

Nancy moved to the fence and saw the nails she had found previously, that held the wire in place were gone. The fence looked as if it hadn’t been tampered with. She knew for certain that someone had covered up the clues.  

Nancy climbed through the fence and untied the reins. She mounted her horse and then heard her name called out. She turned and saw Stan riding toward her. She could tell he belonged on a horse. He looked like a cowboy.  

She smiled as Stan stopped beside her. Stan asked, “What are you doing?”  

Nancy stared at him. She wondered how long he had been watching her. She shook her head. “I thought I saw a hurt bird.  I was going to help the bird, but it’s gone.”  

“It happens,” Stan said. “The bird probably scurried into the brush.” He quickly changed subjects. “You seem to enjoy riding.”  

“I don’t get much of a chance at home,” Nancy admitted. “I wish I could ride more. I’m happy when I get a chance.”  

“Your grandfather really adores you.”  

“I’m glad I got the change to visit them.”  

“So, did you hear about the dance tonight?”  

“Grandma Becky told me.”  

“Do you plan to go?”  

“I was thinking about it.”  

“It’ll be a lot of fun.”  

“I guess I’ll go. The neighbors may be there.”  

“It’s possible,” Stan said. “Come on. I’ll ride back to the house with you if you’re ready.”  

“All right.”  

They walked the horses side by side. Nancy knew this was the perfect time to get to know him better.  She asked, “How do you like working for Grandpa?”  

“He’s a great boss. I always wanted to work on a cattle ranch. My parents own a store in town. They expected me to take over the store, but I explained to them that wasn’t what I wanted. So, I came to William. He hired me to work part-time while I was still in school. I got a degree in business while William taught me about cattle. Since I graduated, I’ve worked for him.”  

“Did you always plan to work on a ranch?”  

“It’s my dream and it’ll be coming true.” Stan looked at her. “So, what do you do?”  

“Nothing right now. I haven’t found the right thing yet. I’m still looking.”  

They walked the horses to the barn and dismounted. Stan took the reins from Nancy. He said, “I’ll take care of the horses.”  

“I can take care of my own,” Nancy said.  

“I’ll do it,” Stan insisted. “That way you’ll have a chance to get ready for tonight.” He smiled. “I really do insist.”  

“All right. I appreciate it. Thanks.”  

She turned and headed for the house. She figured she might as well get ready and that she may get some advice at the dance.

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.