Chapter Two The ranch house had a towering sloped roof that blocked the blazing sun as it set to the west Madison led the five kids around the side of the house past the main doors and onto a screened back porch She opened a smaller door there into the house First the mudroom she explained For your dirty shoes Come on in Inside the house the walls were painted rust red and it smelled like cinnamon buns Hanna’s mouth watered as she followed the others down the hall and into the main room where a wood fire crackled invitingly There they are An old woman with a wild 7
mane of curly hair shot up from her chair Welcome welcome Come on in Dinner’s almost ready What are you cooking in there Ma Etty asked Madison I smell cinnamon The old woman laughed Just wait That’s des sert She ushered the kids inside and Hanna took a seat on the end of the couch with Fletch and one of the boys from the van the tall dark-haired one who’d slept most of the trip Hey he said to her holding out a hand I’m Josh Hanna was so surprised by Josh introducing himself first that she took a lot longer to reply than was probably normal Hey she managed to say His blue eyes glittered as she accepted his firm handshake I’m Hanna Cool All right all right the older woman said raising her voice a smidgen but it was enough to get every one’s attention You’ll all quickly find out we believe in action not talk around here except this once We’re gonna talk a little lay some ground rules I’m Henrietta but you can call me Etty We all call her Ma Etty said Fletch You’re welcome to call me that if you like 8
Etty agreed I’ve worked this ranch for twenty years and raised three kids so I’ve certainly earned a Ma somewhere in there Her smile was big and real and unconsciously Hanna unclenched her hands in her lap This here is my husband Will Bridle A man emerged from nowhere tall as a tree His black hair was shot through with gray and deep lines grooved his face He reminded Hanna of an Indian chief dressed in settlers clothing in some old photograph Mr Bridle took off his hat pressed it to his chest and dipped his head politely Hey there Name’s Willard but you can call me Will We still call him Mr Bridle Madison stage whispered to them My overly polite horse trainers aside said Mr Bridle raising an eyebrow at her I’m pleased to welcome you all to Quartz Creek Ranch His voice was so deep it sounded like a bear growling I’m not going to lecture You all know what you’re doing here as do Ma Etty and I We picked each of you from our pool of applicants because we felt you’d make a good fit for our program and for each other So our time together doesn’t have to be punishment Great things happen to people on this ranch if they 9
keep their minds open to it Just be respectful That’s all I ask Treat everyone and everything here with respect and we’ll all get along great Etty grinned widely And I welcome y’all too Our home is your home While you’re here don’t hesitate to ask for help if anything is troubling you She gestured to the two trainers who stood up Madison and Fletch Will you tell us a little bit about yourselves Madison was the first to speak I’m Madison Clark I just finished my freshman year at the Uni versity of Colorado on a swimming scholarship She jokingly flexed one arm On summer break I come home here to the ranch She looked pleased to say that word home My only advice is to have fun And steer clear of my horse Snow White I love her but she can be a real brat Mr Bridle nodded sagely Madison plopped down on the couch and Fletch went next The name’s Samuel Harris he said lifting his hat but everyone here calls me Fletch You know after George Fletcher The kids all returned blank expressions Well anyway George was a famous bronc rider like I hope to be someday You will be called out Madison 10
