Nancy sat up in an instant. She got to her feet and gave Carson a hug. She said, “Oh, Dad.”

“Shh,” Carson said quietly. “Let’s go in the kitchen so we don’t wake the others.”

Nancy nodded. She stepped over Fran’s legs and followed Carson into the kitchen. Carson sat down at the table and slid his tuxedo jacket off his shoulder. Nancy saw his left arm was in a cast. His arm was in a sling.

She sat down across from Carson and got a better look at his face. She could see there were cuts on his face. She asked, “Where have you been? I’ve been so worried.”

“I was at the hospital. It took a while for the doctor’s to get around to setting my arm.”

“Are you going to be all right?”

“I’ll be fine, Nancy. I’ll only have the cast on for six weeks. I think a cast is a small price to pay for surviving the explosion.” Carson reached across the table with his right hand. He took Nancy’s left hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

“Dad, what happened to you at the country club? When we came to, we couldn’t find you.”

“I remember being thrown back. A table was pinning me against the wall when I came around. I was able to get out from under the table and made my way out to an ambulance. Then I went to the hospital.”

Nancy squeezed Carson’s hand. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you. I was so worried.”

“I’m all right. But I have to admit, I was worried about you. Luckily, I ran into Chief McGinnis and he told me you were all right. He even gave me a ride home.”

At that moment, Ned came into the kitchen. He stopped quickly, sliding on the floor in his socks. Ned exclaimed, “Mr. Drew! When did you get here?”

“A little while ago,” Carson replied.

“Nancy, I was worried when I didn’t see you.”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to her without waking the rest of you. Everyone looked exhausted, so I didn’t want to disturb all of you. I just hope everyone is all right.”

“Just some cuts and bruises. Nothing serious.”

“That’s good,” Carson said trying to stifle a yawn.

“Dad, go get some rest. It’s been a long night.”

“I think I will.” Carson got to his feet. He moved over to Nancy and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Nancy.”

“I love you, too.” Nancy watched as Carson left the kitchen and went upstairs to his room.

Nancy smiled. She was so relieved her father was all right. She turned and looked at Ned. He pulled her toward him. “You don’t know how glad I am he’s all right.”

“I do know,” Ned said tightening his hold on her. “You and your dad are really close. You both worry about each other. But it’s good he’s going to be all right.”

“I’m so glad he’s home.”

“Come on,” Ned said. “Let’s get some sleep.”

“All right.”

Nancy walked into the living room with her arm around Ned’s waist. They stepped over Frank’s legs once again to get to the couch. Nancy took the afghan off the back of the couch and sat down beside him. She leaned against him, placing the afghan so it covered both of them. She felt Ned wrap his arm around her shoulder as she put her head against his chest.

Nancy remained quiet as she leaned against her fiance’. Within moments, she knew he was sound asleep from his even breathing. She looked at the others asleep in the room. She realized they had been lucky. They were going to be all right. Nancy slowly drifted to sleep thinking how grateful she was that everyone was all right.

* * * * *

Nancy was the first to wake. It was mid-afternoon. She opened her eyes and realized the others were still enjoying their peaceful slumber. As he lay there with her head against Ned, she could see the sun coming through the window.

At that moment, she saw Frank and Callie begin to stir. She watched as Frank opened his eyes and sat up. She slowly sat up without waking Ned.

Frank asked softly, “Is there any word on your dad?”

Before Nancy could answer, Carson stepped into the living room. Carson looked around the room and asked, “Isn’t anyone going to get up today?”

“Dad,” Nancy said and Carson smiled. Carson turned and went into the kitchen.

“When did your dad get home?” Frank asked looking at Nancy.

“Early this morning,” Nancy said leaning forward on the couch. She explained what happened to Carson. As she talked, the others started to wake. As she finished, she was pulled back on the couch. She turned and saw Ned had pulled her backward. “What was that for?”

“Because you woke me.” He leaned up and gave her a kiss.

“Hmm,” Nancy said when Ned stopped kissing her. “Maybe I should wake you more often.”

“Would you two mind cutting it out?” Joe asked.

“What’s wrong, Joe? Can’t handle a little kissing?” Callie asked, leaning against Frank.

“Sure I can,” Joe said. “As long as I have something in my stomach.”

“Come on,” Nancy said getting to her feet. “I have to admit, I’m hungry too.”

“Well help you make something,” Callie said.

“Yeah,” Vanessa, Bess and George added as they got to their feet.

“Then it won’t take too long,” Nancy said and they went into the kitchen.

* * * * *

Half an hour later, they were eating sandwiches and watching a football game on the television when there was a knock on the door. Nancy watched as Carson answered the door. As Carson closed the door, she saw Chief McGinnis step away from the door. Nancy took the remote for the television and shut it off.

“Hey!” Joe exclaimed looking at Nancy. “Why did you do that?”

Nancy ignored Joe as Chief McGinnis stepped into the room with Carson. “Hi, Chief.”

“Hello, everyone.”

“This isn’t a social call, is it?” Nancy asked.

“I wish it were.” He looked at Nancy. “You were right about the bomb. There were remains of the bomb near the entrance to the ballroom.”

“Why was a bomb planted in the first place?”

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a clue yet. The preliminary investigation shows the bomb wasn’t big enough to do any serious damage. Luckily, there were only injuries, no casualties.”

“But why did he plant the bomb?” Nancy asked.

“We checked further into Marcus Allen’s background. It seems as if he had been in and out of institutions all his life. He had convinced his doctors he would be able to live in society and they released him.”

“But they were wrong, weren’t they?” Frank asked.

“It appears so. Marcus was diagnosed with manic depression. As long as he took his medicine, he was okay. When he missed a dose, he had a tendency to take things to the extreme. The officers went back to his apartment this morning. They did a thorough check and found more articles. This time the articles were about the ball. The plans being made and the schedule of events. Somehow, he even obtained a list of all the guests attending. Nancy’s name was circled in red.”

“He made a comment about people having to pay. He wished there would be time he could see me treated the way people in River Heights had treated him,” Nancy said. “I wish I knew what he meant.”

“I think he wanted you to be an example to the people of River Heights. He didn’t seem to have many friends. I think he wanted to use you because you have done good for others, helping them when they’ve had problems.”

“So, he went after Nancy because she didn’t help him,” Ned said.

“It’s a possibility, but unfortunately, we’ll never know for sure.”

“Why not?” Joe asked.

“Marcus Allen died about two hours ago. The doctors did all they could, but his injuries were too severe. Now we’ll never know what he was planning.”

“Well, I guess that’s that then.”

“Nancy, I have to admit, you kept your promise,” Frank said getting to his feet.

Nancy gave Frank a quizzical look. She had no idea what he was talking about. “What promise?”

“To have a good time.”

“We just never thought we’d start the New Year off with a bang,” Joe said.

“I guess I did keep my promise.”

“Hopefully this isn’t a prediction of our wedding,” Ned said wrapping his arms around Nancy. “We can live with the ceremony going as planned.”

“That’s right,” Nancy said. “The wedding will have one exciting moment.” Nancy turned and looked at Ned. “That’s when you and I say ‘I do’.”

“I can’t wait,” Ned said and gave Nancy a kiss.

Nancy felt safe with Ned. She knew they had a rocky start to the New Year, but things were going to get better. She knew in a few months time, she’d marry the one she always loved. She knew this was going to be the best year of her life, no matter what.

-The End-

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency 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.