Mystery of the Midnight Rider (Nancy Drew Diaries #3)(36)

I glanced down the lane. It ended at a cute little red bam. Was Payton planning to start rediscovering the joy of riding right now?

Payton brought the car to a stop near the bam. “Look!” she said.

I looked where she was pointing. My jaw dropped as a gorgeous horse and carriage came into view. A woman I didn’t recognize was holding the reins. Sitting beside her was someone I definitely recognized.

"Ned!” I blurted out.

Payton grinned. “Surprise!”

"What? But I don’t understand…” I began.

"It’s your anniversary gift,” she explained as we both climbed out of the car. “Dana knows the woman who owns this place. I know I ruined your dinner the other night, and Ned mentioned that it was originally supposed to be a picnic. So I figured I’d help him arrange a nice, romantic makeup picnic today.”

“Oh!” Suddenly something else made a lot more sense. "Wait—was my dad in on this too, by any chance? Was that why he wouldn’t let me leave the house?”

Payton nodded, still grinning. “Don’t worry, she’s definitely surprised,” she called to Ned proudly as we approached the carriage.

“Impressive. It’s not easy to pull one over on River Heights’s greatest young sleuth.” Ned winked at her.

I laughed. "Yeah, you got me,” I admitted. “And I love it!”

Payton stepped over to pat the horse, a stocky palomino with a sweet face. “Well, what are you waiting for, Nancy? Your carriage awaits!”

“Thanks, Payton.” I smiled at her, glad to see real happiness in her face as she patted the horse. I hoped she would be able to rediscover the joy in riding—and maybe even in showing. Considering some of the characters I’d met over the past few days, I had a feeling the show circuit needed as many people like her as possible.



But I wasn’t going to focus on that right now. I took the hand Ned was offering me, climbing up into the carriage.



“Ready to ride off into the sunset with me?” Ned asked, squeezing my hand. “Or at least the midday sun?”

I squeezed back. “I’m ready.”



Dear Diary

POOR PEYTON.

The pressure she was under to perform and be number one was too much for her. It would have been too much for anybody, really. It’s too bad she just couldn’t talk to her parents and tell them how she truly felt.

But harming Midnight sure wasn’t the answer.

Hurting anybody—or anything—never is.