Jonathan Pierson he said then pointed at Ella That’s my daughter Ella He probably thought Ella’s skin color had confused the old lady Ella figured Since she was half Indonesian from her mother’s side white people sometimes didn’t believe Ella was her dad’s kid even though they had the exact same nose and mouth Yes the woman said trailing off I know She turned to Ella and smiled Welcome to the ranch Ella I’m Ma Etty Ella smiled back The old lady wasn’t confused she had just been addressing Ella directly Ella liked her already She opened her mouth to respond but Dad butted in again Ma Etty he asked crossing his arms Your first name is Ma It’s a nickname Hmm he said unimpressed He gazed around them at the parking lot the beat-up old pickup the horse trailers the tractors I was expecting some thing a little different for a a rehabilitation camp So you’re going to work with Ella on her temper issues Right Ma Etty blanched Everyone gets a fresh start here at Quartz Creek Ranch she said We try not 5
to dwell on what brought our kids here but focus on helping them grow once they’ve arrived With horseback riding therapy We don’t call it therapy she said It’s just horseback riding Dad opened his mouth to say something else but a low rumbling voice interrupted them Mr Pierson said the ten-gallon-hat man who had been on the porch a moment ago He leaned over them Let me help you get your daughter’s things so she can join us for dinner get your money’s worth am I right That’s a good point her dad said backing away from the car to give the big man access to the trunk This is my husband Will said Ma Etty Willard Bridle Bridle Dad asked And that’s your real last name too I take it Ella wished he would just close his mouth and leave already All the kids had come outside to watch her dad make a spectacle four kids who looked about Ella’s age and two much older teenagers stood on the porch Why did her dad have to be so angry all the time 6
A month and a half away from him was starting to sound like the best vacation of Ella’s life Yes Bridle is our real last name said Mr Bridle He took Ella’s bags out of the car and set them down We’ll take it from here Mr Pierson said Ma Etty Dinner’s almost on the table and the kids were doing introductions Actually said a boy on the porch with a blond bowl cut we just finished em For once Ella’s dad looked relieved Ella was not She knew first impressions were important and now she’d made hers by showing up late Great Thanks Dad said Ella Her dad wiped his forehead and stood back not bothering to respond to her jab He gave Ella a quick hug and said Remember to keep your fists in your pockets No hitting Why did he have to talk to her like she was seven Ella jammed her hands in her front pockets and pulled away from the hug Then she took her hands back out again and dropped them by her sides shooting her dad a spiteful look But Dad hadn’t noticed and was already walk ing back to his car as he said I’ll leave her in your 7
capable hands Mr Bridle Mrs Bridle He opened the door and climbed in So much for taking a look around Ella thought See you in six weeks Ell he called out the open window Then he peeled out of the driveway with a roar of the engine The tires kicked up so much dust that everyone in front of the house burst into a coughing fit One of the two older teenagers standing on the porch a girl with long brown hair and a kind face approached Ella Hey Ella she said extending a hand I’m Mad ison one of your riding instructors Ella shook her hand and glanced at the other teenager a tall black guy now suddenly occupied with breaking up the boy campers who were prodding and poking one another He looked like he was probably the other instructor Come on said Madison heading past Ella Let’s drop off your stuff real fast at the girls bunk house and then we can eat As Ella followed Madison across a patchy yard of grass toward two weathered old bunkhouses she sized up the ranch 8
