Everyone stopped what they were doing when there was a knock on the front door. Jeremy hurried to the door and opened it. Nancy watched as Jeremy stepped back and two officers stepped into the hallway.

"Go ahead into the living room," Jeremy said closing the door. "I’ll get Melissa."

Nancy turned herself to face the officers as they came into the living room and Jeremy went upstairs. Nancy turned her head as the others came into the room. Frank and Joe moved behind the couch as they waited for Jeremy and Melissa.

A moment later Jeremy came down the stairs with Melissa. Melissa came into the living room while Jeremy stayed in the doorway. She said, "I’m Melissa Raye. May I help you?"

"Miss Raye," the first officer began. "We have some unfortunate news. Your manager died this morning."

"What?" Melissa asked. She looked around at everyone, then back at the officers.

"He had severe internal injuries. The doctors did the best they could," the second officer said. "We’re really sorry we had to bring this news to you."

"Did Jake regain consciousness at all?" Frank asked.

"No, he didn’t," the first officer said.

"Were you able to catch the guy who hit me?" Frank asked.

‘We caught him. He’s a thug working for a loan shark, Bob Smith. It seems Jake had a huge debt and the thug had come to collect. He told us Jake was going to pay off his debt and he was going to do whatever he could to make sure Jake paid."

The officers turned and headed for the front door. As the door closed, Melissa slumped into the chair. "I can’t believe it."

"We’re so sorry," Nancy said.

"I knew he’d pay for what he’d done, but I never expected him to die."

"It’s all right," Frank said. "I don’t think any of us thought he’d die."

"What are you going to do now?" George asked.

"The proof is there that the money has been taken from the tour," Melissa said. "I’m going to have the books checked over. The money has to be in an account somewhere. It just has to be found."

"Just remember," Frank began. "If you need any help with anything, just ask."

"Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind." Melissa got to her feet and left the living room. She made her way upstairs.

Jeremy said, "I can’t believe this happened. Jake always seemed like such a nice guy. I never thought he’s steal from her."

"The proof is in the books," Frank said. "But we would’ve been in better shape if we could’ve found the account where the money is."

"I just hope the money can be recovered," Nancy said.

"Same here," Frank said.

"I hope you’re both right," Jeremy said and left the living room.

Nancy looked at Frank. "Frank, do you think everything will work out all right?"

Frank looked at the stairs, then at Nancy. He said, "I don’t know."

That evening, everyone was sitting in the living room in front of a roaring fire, except Melissa. She had spent the entire day in her room. She hadn’t talked to anyone. In the living room, Nancy sat on the couch with Ned. He had his head in her lap. He was still weak, but the antibiotics the doctor had left were finally starting to work.

They were talking quietly when Melissa came into the living room. She sat down by the fireplace with her back to the fire.

Maggie asked, "Melissa, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"

"No thanks," Melissa said. "I’m not hungry."

"Is everything all right?" Jeremy asked coming over and sitting beside her.

"I guess," Melissa said. "I’ve been on the phone with the president of the record company." She looked down at her hands. "I told him everything."

"Everything?" Joe asked.

Melissa nodded. "He’s sending some lawyers and accountants over to check the papers and books. Until all the paperwork is taken care of, I’m stuck here."

"Will you go back on tour after everything is worked out?" George asked.

"I don’t know," Melissa said. "I do know I want a break. I was thinking about going back to school."

"That would be good," Jeremy said. "But wouldn’t you miss making music?"

"I might," Melissa answered. "But one thing I do know, is that I need to know something besides music."

"Why’s that?" Bess asked.

"Well," Melissa began. "I know I’m a popular singer now, but the people who like my music may find something better in the future. I don’t want to be someone who only has music. This is my ultimate dream, and if the time comes when my dream comes to an end, then there has to be something else I can do."

"Have you told any of this to the company president yet?" Jeremy asked.

"I’m going to wait until everything from the tour is gone over." She looked at Jeremy. "Who knows, I may decide to go to college here and study business."

"That would probably help if you plan to stay in the music industry," Frank said.

"I know it would," Melissa said. "If I knew more about the business aspect of the music industry, I might have seen what was happening before all that money was taken from the tour."

"You realized you need to learn more and that’s a step in the right direction."

"Frank’s right," Nancy said. "It’ll really help."

"You know, I don’t know how to thank all of you." She smiled. "If it hadn’t been for you, I would be out a lot of money and probably dead."

"There’s no need for thanks," Frank said looking at Nancy and Joe, who were nodding their heads. "We help out friends when they’re in trouble, whether they ask or not."

"Actually," Melissa said getting to her feet. "I do know a way to thank you. I’ll be right back."

Melissa ran out of the living room and upstairs. Ned looked at the others and asked, "What could she be doing?"

"With Melissa, anything is possible," Jeremy said.

A moment later, Melissa came back into the living room with her guitar. She sat back down beside Jeremy in front of the fireplace. As she tuned her guitar, she said, "This is for all of you. For helping me when I needed it."

Melissa went on to give them a private concert. She sang all her songs that were chart toppers and a few new ones she was working on. She sang for more than two hours.

When she finished, she put her guitar down. She looked at everyone and said, "That was to say thanks even though I don’t think it’s enough."

"Well," Frank said looking at Nancy who nodded. "The concert was enough for us since we are helping friends."

"Frank’s right," Nancy said. "We help out whenever we’re needed."

"I really appreciate everything you did."

"We’re glad everything is going to work out." Nancy smiled at her.

"Well," Maggie said. "I hate to put a damper on the party, but it is getting late."

"You’re right," Jeremy said. "Go ahead to bed, Mom. I’ll clean up the dishes."

"Are you sure?" Maggie asked.

‘Yeah. I think I can handle that."

"All right," Maggie said getting to her feet. "I’ll see you all in the morning. Good night."

"Good night," they chorused and watched Maggie head upstairs.

When they were alone, Joe jumped to his feet and said, "Let the party begin."

Before anyone could say anything, they heard Maggie yell from upstairs, "There will be no partying tonight, Joseph Hardy."

Joe stood there stunned as the others broke into laughter. He asked, "How did she know?"

Jeremy tried to stop laughing and said, "The walls are very thin. Besides, Aunt Laura told her you would want to party if given the chance."

"Fine. Since I can’t party, I guess I’ll just have to raid the refrigerator."

"Joe, I think you should go to bed before you get grounded," Frank laughed. "I can’t picture telling Mom and Dad that Aunt Maggie grounded you."

"It would never happen," Joe said. "But to save you from any embarrassment, I will go to bed."

Joe turned and quickly went upstairs. Bess and George said good night and followed him up. Melissa and Jeremy gathered the glasses and went into the kitchen leaving Frank in the living room with Nancy and Ned.

Frank noticed Ned was falling asleep. He quietly got to his feet and looked at Nancy. "I’ll see you in the morning."

"Night, Frank," Nancy said and watched as he went upstairs.

She looked at Ned and leaned toward him. She kissed his forehead and he slowly opened his eyes. She said, "I didn’t mean to wake you."

"I wasn’t asleep."

"You looked like you were."

"I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About you." Ned took hold of her hand.

"Really?"

Ned nodded. "I was thinking how wonderful you are."

"I think you’re wonderful too."

"You always care about others and help them when they need it." He focused on her eyes. "Melissa was lucky to have you help her."

"I’m just glad she wasn’t hurt," Nancy said. "But I wish there was some way we could have prevented Jake from dying. With him alive, they would have had an easier time locating the missing money."

"You can’t change the past."

"I know."

Ned reached up and touched Nancy’s face. He put his hand on her cheek. He said, "We need to think about happier things."

"You’re right. Like our wedding."

"Yeah," Ned said closing his eyes. "Our wedding."

Nancy knew Ned was exhausted. The cold had taken away most of his strength. He needed plenty of time to recover. She pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and covered Ned with it.

She sat still as she watched Ned sleep. She was worried about his cold, but she knew he was going to be all right. She looked over at the fire and watched the crackling embers. She knew Melissa would make out fine in the end. Melissa learned her lesson and was going to make a step to better herself by getting some business knowledge. Melissa was bright and talented, and Nancy could see her going on to be even more successful than she was now.

As Nancy closed her eyes, she realized things were going to turn out all right, for everyone. She knew it wouldn’t be long before she was married to Ned. Then they would be together forever.

-THE END-