What do these three letter combinations have in common?

DE
HI
MN

Hint: These combinations don’t have it in common.

AK
IN
WY

Frederick takes half of CONNIE, part of NESTA, part of NELLIE and part of AUNTIE to create something new. What does he call his new creation?

Toby likes indigo but not red. He likes onions but not turnips. He likes forms but not shapes.

According to the same rule, does he like tomatoes or avocados?

A mother of three children had six apples. She gave two to each and yet 4 remained. How was this possible?

A man is running across a field at night clutching something in his arms as several other men pursue him. He looks back and sees they’re getting closer. In a final burst of effort his pursuers catch up and bring him crashing to the ground. His pursuers stand over him but do not touch him or take what he was carrying. Why not? Who was the running man?

What word could be added to all of these words?

apple
cone
lake
tree
ridge
nuts