Till Death Do Us Part by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Chapter

Eight

NED, WHAT ARE you doing here?” Jessica asked as they walked out Nancy’s front door. She tried to sound pleasantly surprised, but Nancy could tell that she was furious.

“Looking for you,” he explained. “You weren’t at the Royal, so I did a little detective work and tracked you down.”

“Oh, really?” Jessica obviously didn’t believe him. The scene at the fountain had left a seed of doubt. “How?”

“I talked to the attendant in the hotel parking garage. He said that you asked for directions to this street.”

“So you figured I had gone to see Nancy.”

“Exactly. Well, what do you think of it?” he asked, patting the hood of the car.

Jessica looked it over. It was a hot-pink sports model with a sunroof, a stereo, and air-conditioning.

“It’s beautiful, but that’s not exactly a color I thought you’d go for.”

Ned smiled, all innocence. “Oh, it’s not for me, it’s for you.”

“For me?”

“Surprised? I thought it was time you stopped driving a rental car, so I picked this out.”

Jessica’s pretty, cupid’s-bow mouth dropped open. “Ned, are you serious? You went out and bought me a car?”

“Well, I haven’t paid for it yet, but if you like it, I’ll put down a deposit.”

“Wait a minute—if you haven’t paid for it, then how did you get it here?”

“Test drive,” he said proudly.

Slowly, Jessica walked around the car, watching avidly as Ned pointed out its features. She threw a little grin at Nancy, and Nancy scowled back at her, pretending to be furious.

Jessica’s eyes were gleaming. From greed? Nancy wondered. “Ned, I simply can’t believe this. Will you really buy this car for me?”

“Just say the word.”

Jessica glanced at Nancy again, hesitating. “I—I don’t know.”

“Look, you need a car.”

“True, but you’re still in college. How will you make the payments?”

“Don’t worry about that. Come on, Jessica, what do you say? Let me buy it for you. I want you to have it.”

Nancy spun around, unable to hide her smile. Ned should have sold cars for the summer instead of insurance.

Once more Jessica circled the car. Nancy turned back, her expression under control. She was curious to see what Jessica would do. Would she ask Ned to buy it?

Jessica slid behind the wheel and ran her hands over the dashboard and the bucket seats. “Ned, it’s wonderful.”

“Then you want it?”

“No, take it back.”

Ned was dumbfounded. “But—”

“I mean it, Ned. We can’t afford it right now.”

Nancy was astonished. She had been sure that Jessica would go for the car. Evidently so had Ned. He kept trying to persuade her to take it.

“Jessica, don’t you like the color?”

“Of course I do, but I can’t accept this car. We’re just starting out. We have to save money.”

“But—but—”

“My mind’s made up. Take it back.”

• • •

Late that evening Nancy phoned Ned. He had a telephone in his room, with his own private line. They didn’t have to worry that his parents would find out.

“Nice try,” she said, trying to console him.

“Thanks.” Ned sighed. “You know, I was sure she would take the car.

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