The Holiday Trip Ends

“I can’t believe that cop threatened to break down the door!” Jared hissed, trying to keep his voice down from where he stood in the dining room.

“Big shock, huh?” JoJo questioned.

“I thought it was…I don’t know who–playing a trick on me. You can’t hear well over the fan,” Jared relayed, still thrown off by finding a sheriff outside the bathroom with his hand on his holster. “He thought I was destroying evidence!”

“Just how many times did you flush in a row?” the busty brunette inquired, biting back a laugh.

“It’s not funny. He threatened to arrest me.”

“Then it’s a good thing your shit does smell,” JoJo joked, unable to hold in several giggles. “The cop knew you weren’t lying when he ran out, gagging.”

Jared glared at his old friend and newest lover. Shaking his head, he muttered a remark about how she’d like it if a cop showed up outside her bathroom.

“Is he going to cuff me before doing a body search?” JoJo questioned, suggestively running her hands down her body.

Her teasing only lasted several seconds before she reverted to her shy self as Rachel walked around the giant Christmas tree while on her way to the kitchen. Still, Jared couldn’t help but tap her side as a warning to behave.

Rachel arrived as Finn hung up the phone. The landline had gotten a workout over the last forty minutes while the deputies executed the search warrant. A makeshift rotation sprang up as Rachel, Lana, Finn, Peyton, and Jared’s parents took turns watching the deputies and cleaning up the messes they left behind.

“Did you get a hold of him?” the red-haired principal asked.

“Yeah. Larry’s almost to the mansion. He’s planning to stay as long as Harvey needs him until classes resume,” Finn reported. “He’s insisting that we notify the rest of the family.”

“Not Harvey’s parents?!” Rachel gasped, knowing the bad blood that existed.

“What? Oh, no, no. I meant that Larry wants Aunt Demi and her daughters notified. Audie too,” Finn revealed, referring to Demi and Hannibal’s cousin. “Rally the family in case they do upgrade the charges. Shit. I don’t think Whitney needs her mom staying in town.”

“Not at all,” Rachel replied, her eyes widening at the prospect.

“I offered to drive to Arbor Corners if Larry needs anything from his house,” Finn added, earning a nod from the mother figure in his life.

“Did your father freak out?”

“Not yet. He’s sleeping in the backseat. I don’t know how Dad’s going to take this,” Finn admitted. “Maybe focusing on helping Harv is what he needs.”

“It’s not what she needs,’ Rachel stated, causing them to check out the scene in the great room.

Whitney sat on the middle sofa with Lacey and Ramsey on each side. Bridget and Sean occupied the couch closest to the sliding glass door. All of them worked to console the occasionally crying teenager.

“Poor thing has been through so much the last week,” Rachel commented, sighing in sympathy.

BRRRING-BRRRING

Standing near the phone, Finn hurriedly grabbed it before another ring sounded. Saying hello, his face perked up after recognizing the voice.

“It’s a mess over here,” he admitted. “I don’t think much longer. Yeah, let me get her.”

Finn started to open his mouth to shout before thinking better of it. Instead, he turned toward Rachel. “Could you get Aunt Bridget?”

Nodding, the attractive mother hurried over to get her old cheermate. Not wanting to leave Whitney alone with just her friends, Rachel took Bridget’s seat while the doctor went to the kitchen. Picking up the phone, she immediately greeted the person on the other side of the line.

“Hey, Mom. He did? Oh, that’s great news. Hopefully, that will calm Whitney down a bit. Yeah, she’s quite upset,” Bridget relayed. “What? No! Brandy does not need to drive up here! Tell her we’ll be gone before she gets here. That’s right. I think the sheriff’s department is almost finished. Yeah, it is going faster than I expected. Seems a bit half-ass to me.”

Finn nodded at the blonde doctor’s statement. Although the deputies had taken several items so far, their search appeared shoddy to the mystery novel enthusiast. He also knew that Seamus had taught his daughters how to case a room and rifle through it quickly. Bridget’s opinion wasn’t that of a complete novice.

“She’s keeping an eye on Lana, who’s keeping an eye on the deputies. Yeah, that girl has been mouthy. No, we’re good. Chief Colburn and one of his rangers stayed to make sure. No, they’re stationed outside. What? No, it’s not Tori. How do you even know about her? Whatever. Forget I asked,” Bridget sighed, causing Finn to chuckle. “Okay, okay. I’ll call with an update after we get home.”

“Good news?” Finn asked before Bridget could even hang up.

“Okay, bye,” she told her mother. “My dad managed to track down Cosmo Spiro. He’s agreed to take the case and is already on his way to Honey Hollow.”

Finished with hanging up the phone, Bridget saw Finn’s curious expression.

“The arraignment won’t be until the morning at the earliest. That gives him time to contact Graham and Dalton. Plus, staying there cuts the drive time to get up here in the morning.”

Before Finn could inquire more, Skye walked over. She’d been keeping Nelly and Chief Colburn company after bringing them cups of hot chocolate.

“It looks like they’re done,” the waitress/wannabe model announced.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you feeling up those bras, Deputy Pork!”

“Lan!”

Bridget closed her eyes briefly at the voices coming down from the upstairs walkway. Well acquainted with his two BFFs, Finn already started his way to the foyer before Bridget opened them. Rachel met them, having heard her daughter.

The three watched as Captain Ernst and his deputies exited through the front door. In addition to Lana and Peyton, Jeff and Gabby joined the group.

“What did they take?” Rachel queried, unaware that Whitney had come up behind them. She knew the sheriff would provide a list, yet also assumed they’d give it to Harvey or his lawyer.

“Harvey’s laptop and a batch of files from the den,” Finn recalled, having observed that search.

“Ha! Good luck finding anything important there,” Whitney scoffed, meaning the files. “Did they even read them? No? Dad doesn’t bring any work up here. Those are probably utility bills and leftover stuff from the construction.”

“They took a bunch of clothes,” Lana reported.

“Like what?”

“I counted several shirts and pants. Plus, one of your dad’s jackets.”

“Two pairs of boots,” Skye chimed in, having witnessed those leaving in evidence bags. “I think they also took an item from the garage. I couldn’t see it for sure.”

That part alarmed Finn and Bridget. The deputies likely searched the garage and workshop to find a potential weapon from the attack on Ranger Roger. They didn’t raise their concerns as Chief Colburn climbed the porch stairs. Whitney swiftly fell into his arms for another hug.

“With them leaving, I will head back to the station. Will you be staying longer?” Zeb asked, wondering if Whitney planned to stay until her dad made bail.

“We won’t be much longer,” Rachel answered.

“Some of us need to finish packing our things,” Bridget added, ordering anyone who hadn’t done so to do it.

“Whitney, how about coming home with us? You can stay the night and go to school with Lacey and Ramsey in the morning,” Rachel offered.

“No! Dad said not to involve Mr. Stratton,” Whitney reminded. “I’m going to follow his instructions.”

“You can stay at my house,” Ramsey counteroffered since she lived across the street from the Strattons.

“And give your mom another daughter to interrogate about her father’s trouble?” Lacey challenged.

“My mom wouldn’t do…okay, fair point,” Ramsey admitted.

“I can drive you home. Larry and my dad will be there,” Finn informed his old family friend.

“I think Whitney should drive back with us,” Bridget stated, worried about the teen. Of course, that might cause a space problem in her car. “Um, Finn, could you bring JoJo home?”

“Sure, I can do it after I drop Skye off.”

“Mom, maybe you can drop me and Sean off before taking Whitney to her place. Watson must be antsy,” Peyton pointed out.

"I can go over to the Kappmeyers and get Wats after I drop Jo off," Finn added, since he was headed to the cul-de-sac anyway. "Just in case you get delayed at Harvey's."

“Oh, that would be great!” Bridget smiled her thanks. “He’ll love to see you.”

“Don’t feed him too many treats,” Peyton teased.

“Spoil the hell out of that poor neglected dog,” Lana ordered.

Clearing his throat, Chief Colburn held up a hand. “I’m going to leave Nelly outside to ensure you don’t encounter any additional issues with nosy people until you depart. But Nelly will get Young on the radio if you want to step outside.”

“Really? Thanks, Chief!” Whitney squealed.

“Coat!”

“Put on a jacket!”

Lacey grabbed her friend’s coat and rushed after her.

“Did she call Graham yet?” Bridget asked, looking at Rachel.

“No, she kept repeating that Harvey told her not to trust the phone.” Rachel recounted, rolling her eyes. “Whitney wants to wait to talk to him in person.”

“Weren’t Larry and Fred headed for the mansion? Imagine how Frida will react if she learns about Harvey’s arrest from them,” Bridget said, already concerned about a repeat of her last trip to the mansion. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be thrown food, but one never knew.

“Don’t worry. I told Clive about the arrest,” Rachel revealed. “I told him what Harvey said, but telling my husband about his friend’s arrest isn’t getting involved. Still, Clive said he’d call Dalton.”

“We’d better clean up here and get a move on it,” Bridget said.

“Finny, do you recall how Harvey closes up the cabin at the end of a trip?” Rachel inquired, knowing he’d been at the cabin the most after Whitney.

“Mostly. But that was at the old cabin. We’ll need Whitney to help after she’s done outside. Until then, I can go take care of the boathouse,” Finn offered.

“Don’t go chasing anyone else!” Lana ordered, with Peyton reluctantly nodding.

---

“You need to rein in any outbursts, got that? Your father has a lot on his plate with the campaign and those allegations. Add in this crap with Harvey, and he does not need his eldest daughter’s antics,” Rachel started once they passed Wirchie’s.

Lana sat in the passenger seat with Ramsey directly behind her, while Lacey sat behind her mother.

“Geez, just banish me to AC already.”

“Hmm, that might not be a bad idea,” Rachel teased.

Lacey and Ramsey giggled in the backseat.

Hearing them, Lana whipped around to place her body party between the two front seats. Glaring at the two eighteen-year-olds, the tactless ginger unloaded a broadside.

“Okay, which one of you sluts fucked Sean the other night?” she challenged.

“Lana!” her mother shrieked.

“Mother!” Lana squealed mockingly, slightly turning her head to look at the side of Rachel’s face. “Did you know a mystery girl got freaky with a sleeping Seanie the other night? Well, I do. So, which one of you was it?!”

The two teens blanched at the coed’s shouted question.

“That’s enough, Lana,” Rachel growled. “Yes, I do know all about the incident. I went into Sean’s room that morning–”

“Mother!” Lana gasped, misinterpreting her mom’s response. You didn’t, right? Right?!”

“No, I did not! What is wrong with you even to think that? I can't believe…” Rachel trailed off, realizing she had done something similar with Finn. “I woke the young woman up and sent her back to her bed.”

“Young woman?” Lana repeated, rolling the specific term over her tongue as she returned her gaze to the back seat. “Damn, I didn’t think you had it in you. But you totally owed Sean for that name shit.”

“What?! I didn’t do–I’m a virgin!” Ramsey screeched.

“Sure you are,” Lana replied, winking. “Anal doesn’t count to girls like you.”

“A-A-Anal? No! I-It wasn’t–”

“It was me!"

Rachel exhaled deeply before glancing in the rearview mirror at her youngest daughter. She hadn’t even realized she’d taken and held in a deep breath.

“Whoa…no way,” Lana responded, stunned at the revelation. She never imagined her sweet little sister had been the culprit, especially as she’d still been dating Austin when it happened. No way. Lacey couldn’t be a cheater.

“You? Lacey, what did you do? How could you? Why did you? Ohmigawd! You sexually assaulted him!” Ramsey rambled until screeching again.

“I didn’t **** Sean. What the fuck, Rammy?” Lacey challenged, her voice steady and her tone more at a conversational level.

“He was asleep!”

“He knew it was me. Said my name several times,” Lacey declared before mumbling. “And yours…and Lana’s.”

“I…I can’t believe it. Oh. My. Gawd,” Lana muttered, continuing to be stunned.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” Lacey stated. “I woke up to get water and wanted to check on Sean. He’d been through so much and was acting weird from his painkillers. When I entered the den, he looked restless and dreaming.”

Rachel held back that he might have been dreaming about what Gabby did with him earlier that night. But that wasn’t her secret to tell.

“I sat down on the bed. I swear I just wanted to check on him!” Lacey protested. “Then, he started talking in his sleep. It must have turned into a nightmare as he told somebody to leave him alone and that he didn’t do anything. I laid down beside Sean, telling him it was okay and I was there for him. I just wanted to comfort him.”

Ramsey and Lana snorted.

“Not that way…it just happened!”

Lana began to open her mouth for a snarky response until Rachel whispered, “Don’t.” She saw the crestfallen look on her youngest daughter’s face while recalling the guilt she showed the morning her mother found her naked in bed with Sean.

“I messed up. I’ve messed up everything. Rammy. Sean’s heartbreak. Everything is my fault. Everything!” Lacey sobbed before throwing her face into her hands.

Feeling awful for the pain that radiated off her little sister, Lana wanted to give her a big hug and pep talk. However, she couldn’t do the first part from the front seat, so she motioned for the shocked Ramsey to do it. The strawberry blonde began by placing a comforting hand on her co-best friend’s knee.

“Ohmigawd,” Lana mouthed at her mother. Gears were already in motion in her brain. The proper destiny for the little siblings could be in play.

“Don’t. Just don’t. You are not to tell Peyton a thing. Understood? This is your sister’s secret to keep or reveal,” Rachel commanded her eldest.

“Ugh!” Lana sounded.

---

Sean stared out the windshield without seeing anything. His mind preoccupied with numerous questions about the events over the last week. Funny enough, the identity of the black pair of panties’ owner was the furthest question in his mind. While it rattled the occupants of the car several hundred feet ahead of them about an hour ago, Sean replayed the trip in his head.

He’d nearly died jumping into an ice-covered lake to save the life of Whitney Diamond, of all people. The turning point in both their lives transformed a casual acquaintance into a friendship that seemed destined to grow closer. He’d also had sex with the school’s queen bee and cheer captain. Those events would’ve shocked him back on Christmas Day before he left for the cabin.

The teen had also somehow screwed one of his mother’s oldest, closest friends. Received a blowjob from one of Bridget’s old frenemies. A gorgeous model also blew him while he had the fearsome cheer co-captain take a wild on his dick. The craziest kicker came in fucking his own mother. In the course of a single week, Sean had gone from one lover to more than he ever expected to happen before graduation. Maybe even until his college graduation. And he’d undoubtedly multiply the number based on Whitney and Bridget’s plans for him.

Sean also knew he’d have to deal with his newfound popularity starting tomorrow. The charity ball gave him a brief glimpse at the uncomfortable and potentially troublesome way people reacted to him now. How much worse could it get when everyone returned to school?

Then, there was also the impending divorce. Would his parents turn bitter like so many, fighting over every tiny detail? Would his dad find a way to **** Sean to study medicine?

Not to mention all the fascinating mysteries that developed. Who was behind Orrin Rusk and Edward Laffont’s campaigns? Was it the same person financially backing The Stinging Truth? How were his family's rivals, the Klackhursts, involved? Who attacked Ranger Roger and framed Harvey for it?

So many questions to be investigated, and I can’t do a damn thing! Sean cursed, looking down at his injured foot. It feels like this is my time to step up and be like Grandpa. But how can I do that?

Fingers wrapping themselves around his hand broke Sean from his thoughts.

“You okay?” Bridget asked from the driver’s seat.

“I guess. Just thinking over the trip.”

“Are we good?” Bridget asked, not saying more as Peyton sat directly behind her. She and Whitney had fallen asleep.

“Us? Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?” Sean replied. “Are you okay? Is Dad going to be waiting for us at home?”

“I don’t know, but I’m good. What happened between me and your father was a long time coming.”

“Everything has changed. It’s going to be weird,” Sean admitted.

“I get that. But we’ll be there for each other. Remember that. If you can’t talk to me about something, talk to Pey. Okay?”

“Okay,” Sean agreed, forcing a smile.

Looking back at his older sister, Sean wondered how hard it would be to keep his and his mother’s new secret. Hell, they’d need to keep what Bridget and Harvey did a secret as well. Peyton might not understand any of it, and he didn’t want to lose his sister. That’s one change Sean couldn’t accept happening.

Curled up and leaning against the door, Peyton's leggy, model-like figure was on full display. Sean's eyes took in her long, wavy, caramel-blonde locks, which reminded him of his mother. Running his gaze downward, he could just make out the side of her perky, medium-sized breast. Finally, his attention landed on that incredibly toned ass.

A potential solution started swirling around Sean's brain's deepest, darkest corners. If Petyon could be…Sean dismissed the idea from his brain for now. That type of fantasy brought additional risk.

“Sean!”

Startled by Whitney’s scream, Bridget jerked the vehicle back across the center line. Banging his foot at the sudden outburst, Sean winced in pain. In the backseat, Peyton mumbled at Lana to be quiet.

“Whitney, what’s wrong?” Bridget questioned, turning to see the teen wake up.

“Huh?”

“You screamed Sean’s name.”

“I did? Sorry, I must have had a nightmare again,” Whitney admitted. Then, before Bridget could ask about the dreams, the blonde teen asked her own question. “Bridget, can we make a stop before going to my house?”

“Uh, sure. Where do you want to go?”

“I want to see your father. Dad told me to sit back and not do anything. That I should follow his instructions and leave everything up to him, Graham, and Dalton,” Whitney relayed. “But I’m not going to sit by and be a bystander. Somebody is out to get my dad. I need to know what’s going on.”

“Well, I don’t know how much my dad can help with that,” Bridget admitted.

“He can tell me what he thinks. And I want to know his opinion on this lawyer,” Whitney replied. “Who the hell would want to do this to Dad? Is it connected to the attacks on the mayor and Mr. Stratton? And I want to know why the hell my dad is telling me to tell Graham to activate some secret operation!”

“Secret what?!” Sean repeated, sitting up even straighter. Fuck this! I’m going to investigate, busted foot or not!

---

When and how will Sean learn it was Lacey? Can Whitney keep putting it off for their sake? Who's going to drive Sean insane first: Whitney or the Babybees? How much will Lacey's advanced matchmaking upend Honey Hollow High? Will Valentine's Day be remembered as a legendary holiday of love or a night of infamy? Can Newt find a girlfriend? Can JoJo stop at one boyfriend? Will Ramsey achieve the impossible by solving the riddle of Miss Nosy? Can Fletcher bumble his way into the secret first? Who will help them, and where else beyond Honey Hollow will the clues lead? Will Ramsey's obsession break Daisy and The Buzzy Bee staff? Underfire, can Harvey save his already sketchy reputation? Is jail in his future? Or will a new target find themselves in the crosshairs? Finally, how will Bridget adjust to single life?

Find out some of these answers and many more in The Mystery of Nosy Nectar!

---

Author's Note: Thus ends A Winter Holiday at the Cabin. It's been a long five-and-a-half years since the original thread in At the Cabin started. Way, way too long ago, to be honest. I do apologize for it taking this long to reach this cliffhanger point. The switch over to Honey Hollow, revising those original chapters, and real-life distractions added up. Plus, my naive estimate of about 150 (maybe 200 if I got crazy) chapters sure blew up.

With this first story finished, I'll be taking a short break. Probably a couple of months until the end of the year. I need a break from thinking about this world almost daily. During that time, I might dabble with an entirely different story as I've wanted to write something else for the last several years. Once I return, I plan to spend about a few weeks or a month working on the Young Bridget short stories. You can expect to see those first. After that, I'll jump into the next big story. It will be shorter in length than this one, and won't take as long to finish. The Mystery of Nosy Nectar will shuffle some of the cast and focus. Readers can expect Ramsey and several characters introduced at the NYE ball to get more page time. Beyond that, A Sordid Spring Break at the Cabin will resolve most of the remaining big questions when the election happens.

Thanks again for reading, and I hope you'll check out the next story.