Chapter One Ella glanced once again at the map then at the upcoming intersection The green street sign read BRIDLEMILE RD Dad she cried You’re supposed to turn here Ella’s dad yanked the steering wheel to the right and the car’s tires growled over the gravel Could have said something sooner he said You’re driving so fast I didn’t even see the turn coming Don’t critique my driving You’re eleven Ella felt a wave of hot anger starting in her chest and working its way up her neck This always happened when they argued It made all her limbs tense and her mouth said things she regretted later 1
I get to critique your driving when you get lost and make me two hours late for camp said Ella as they roared up the gravel road The car passed under a giant iron archway reading QUARTZ CREEK RANCH but she barely noticed it she was glaring at her dad who sat crouched over the steering wheel equally furious It wouldn’t have been a problem if you hadn’t taken so long to get ready at Uncle Nate’s house Dad said as they rolled through the gate which someone had left open for them Ella wanted to throw something This was sup posed to be her trip but now Dad was ruining it like he ruined everything when his temper got hold of him They’d driven out from California and stayed with her uncle in Boulder just so her dad could see the ranch himself in person before he left her there for six weeks He wanted to make sure it was safe and vermin-free or something like that Then they’d say good-bye there were no letters or phone calls allowed until she flew home at the end of camp It’s your fault it took me so long to get ready Ella said as a big ranch-style house sailed by on their right You were the one who made me take out and repack my entire suitcase 2
When the driveway appeared her dad took another sharp turn jerking Ella against her seatbelt Then he stomped on the brakes and when the car had come to an abrupt stop in the parking lot he ripped the keys out of the ignition I made you repack because you don’t even know how to pack your own things properly Her dad threw open the car door and got out Ella unsnapped her seatbelt leaped out and slammed her door behind her I packed just fine the first time Dad You brought way too much stuff The volume of his voice was steadily rising Who needs all that junk at a six-week camp You don’t get it at all Ella found herself starting to shout too to match him Just because I don’t wear the exact same thing every day like you It’s practical Ell her dad said yanking open the trunk of the car Behind them the front door of the ranch house opened A short wrinkly woman in an oversized T-shirt and curly hair came out first followed by a pine tree of a man with skin as dark as Ella’s wearing a ten-gallon cowboy hat A few kids Ella’s own age peeked out the door and another one gazed out the window at them 3
Practical for you said Ella starting to sweat in the hot afternoon air as her voice grew louder But you can’t expect me to wear a suit every day too At least what I wear shows I have a personality Dad rounded on her What do you know It’s about looking professional so I can afford to put a roof over your head and food on the table You go to work every day to pay for all the stupid stuff you buy online Each time her dad raised his voice Ella raised hers more You’re such a brat shouted her dad so caught up in the argument that he’d forgotten all about pulling her suitcase out of the trunk And you’re a workaholic Ella shouted back starting to spiral with fury Then she said the thing she knew would really make him mad At least when Mom was around you came home sometimes Her dad’s face was turning a dangerous sort of red when the short leathered woman hopped down the steps and jogged toward them her expression stunned Hello there she said interrupting Are you Ella Ella opened her mouth to speak but her dad glared at her then at the older woman I’m 4
