Hopes in Hiding [1 ed.] 9781680790344, 9781624021657

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

n i s e p o H ing Hid

By Lisa Mullarkey :ôôĩĞģ̧ģÉÄLj¾ņLjn§ĩô§Lj3̧û¿Ā

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

s e p Ho ing d i H in

by Lisa Mullarkey Illustrated by Paula Franco

An Imprint of Magic Wagon abdopublishing.com

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

To Christina Gluck: My 7 year-old adviser and horse connoisseur. —LM To my husband, Leo, my greatest source of encouragement. —PF abdopublishing.com Published by Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439. Copyright © 2017 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Calico™ is a trademark and logo of Magic Wagon. Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota. 052016 092016

Written by Lisa Mullarkey Cover illustration by Paula Franco Edited by Tamara L. Britton, Megan M. Gunderson & Bridget O’Brien Designed by Christina Doffing Art Directed by Candice Keimig

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Mullarkey, Lisa, author. | Franco, Paula, illustrator. | Mullarkey, Lisa. Storm Cliff Stables. Title: Hopes in hiding / by Lisa Mullarkey ; illustrated by Paula Franco. Description: Minneapolis, MN : Magic Wagon, [2017] | Series: Storm Cliff Stables | Summary: There is a new girl, Cassidy, at Storm Cliff, and she seems out of place at a riding stable because she knows nothing about horses and is even a little afraid of them --so Ryleigh sets out to solve the mystery of just who Cassidy is and what she is doing at the camp. Identifiers: LCCN 2016002314 (print) | LCCN 2016002632 (ebook) | ISBN 9781624021657 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781680790443 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Riding schools--Juvenile fiction. | Horses--Juvenile fiction. | Secrecy-Juvenile fiction. | Identity (Psychology)--Juvenile fiction. | Friendship--Juvenile fiction. | CYAC: Mystery and detective stories. | Horses--Fiction. | Secrets--Fiction. | Camps--Fiction. | Identity--Fiction. | Friendship--Fiction. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction. Classification: LCC PZ7.M91148 Hm 2016 (print) | LCC PZ7.M91148 (ebook) | DDC 813.6--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016002314

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

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s ecret ing S

4

Chap

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

r1

Chapte

w e N e Th irl G The cabin door swung open and Khadija rushed inside. She flapped a piece of paper in front of my face. “Guess what this is?” I shrugged. “No clue.” “Ryleigh!” She planted her hands on her hips. “It’s no fun if you don’t guess.” She tucked a loose strand of hair under her Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

lilac-colored hijab. It’s a head scarf that covers her hair and neck. It’s a Muslim tradition. “Okay,” I said. “Maybe info about Movie Night?” I crossed my fingers. “With the horses?” “Nope!” She turned to Ainsley. “Your turn.” Ainsley scratched her head. “A flyer about the Horse Parade? I’m braiding Minka’s mane this year.”

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Khadija smirked. “Wrong again.” She tacked the paper to the bulletin board and read it. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Aunt Jane isn’t my real aunt. She’s the owner of Storm Cliff Stables. She says we’re like family here, so we should call her Aunt Jane. Ainsley yawned and rolled her eyes. “Who’d want to work with the Pony Girls? They’re whiney babies.” The Pony Girls are the eight-year-old campers. It’s their first year at Storm Cliff Stables.

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“I think the job’s perfect for you, Ryleigh,” said Khadija. I thought it over. The Pony Girls are like my little sisters, and horses are my life. And, Bree is a good friend. She lives next door with Avery, Esha, and Jaelyn. We used to ride together, but she hasn’t ridden since she took a bad fall. So now, she helps Aunt Jane take care of the animals. My stomach fluttered as I opened my journal. In big block letters, I wrote YES I CAN and added some hearts. Hearts always make me feel better! “I wonder who else wants the job,” I said. “If Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Jaelyn or Avery applies, they’ll get it.” Khadija poked my shoulder. “Be confident in yourself.” Ainsley cocked her head. “You want to own a camp like this one day, right? The job would be good practice.” “Ainsley’s right,” said Khadija. “And don’t forget the Pony Girls love you the most.” She

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touched my wrist. “Those friendship bracelets prove it.” I ran my fingers over my rainbow-colored arm. I have tons of bracelets from the girls at camp. Khadija suddenly jumped around like a kangaroo. “Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!” Ainsley moaned. “Not again.” Khadija pointed outside. “She’s heeeere.” “She” was the new girl. Aunt Jane told us we were getting a new bunkmate today. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I

crossed

my

fingers.

“Maybe

the

Three Horseketeers will become the Four Horseketeers.” Khadija rewrapped her hijab around her head and secured the pin a little tighter. “Maybe. But why is she coming to camp two weeks late?” The door swung open. Layla, our counselor, and a girl were standing in the doorway.

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“Because I only found out about it yesterday,” said the girl. She walked in and waved. “I’m Cassidy Clemson.” I looked her up and down. She was taller than Layla and at least four inches taller than the rest of us. Her hair was in a tight bun. It was the same color as my cat: midnight black. I had never seen such dark hair or a bun so ginormous. Her thick bangs went straight across her forehead. There wasn’t a hair out of place. She was pretty even though eyeliner, mascara, pink blush, and lipstick caked her face. No one Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

here wears makeup. Ever. I noticed her perfectly manicured nails right away. I glanced down at my own nails and then shoved my hands behind my back. Layla hoisted Cassidy’s designer suitcase onto a chair. “You’re all set.” “Thanks, Layla. Could you please fetch me some iced tea?” She glanced around the room

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

and zoomed in on the bathroom door. “And maybe draw me a bath so I can freshen up?” Layla stiffened. “Fetch you some iced tea? Draw a bath?” She narrowed her eyes. “Um. Maybe you misunderstood. I’m Aunt Jane’s assistant. But . . .” She paused for a second. “I don’t fetch things. Even for her.” Cassidy slapped her forehead. “OMG. I’m sooooooo embarrassed. I’m sorry. It was just a joke. And I suppose not a very funny one.” Ainsley snorted. “Good one! I’m Ainsley.” She pointed to me. “That’s Ryleigh, and Khadija is Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the one who hasn’t learned how to whisper yet.” Khadija blew raspberries. I pointed to her bunk. “That’s yours. We can help you put your sheets on.” “We make our own beds?” Cassidy asked. Layla patted her on the back. “This is Storm Cliff Stables. Not the Four Seasons Hotel. And FYI, we don’t have a single bathtub at camp.

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Sorry.” She slammed the door behind her. Cassidy poked her head into the bathroom. “Well, who needs a tub anyway? Right?” It was obvious the new girl had a lot of money. Ainsley thought so too. “So you’re rich, huh? Nice rich or spoiled rich?” I tried to cover her mouth. “Ainsley!” Khadija glared at Ainsley. “So rude.” Cassidy shrugged. “Nah. I’m not rich.” She didn’t sound too convincing. “So this is it, huh?” I nodded. “Yep. Home sweet home. We’ve Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

lived here for four years. Until this year, it just had one bunk and a single bed.” She lowered her eyes. “Sorry.” “Oh, don’t be sorry. The Three Horseketeers love having a fourth bunkmate!” I opened my desk drawer and pulled out a box. “And . . . this is for you.” The second I’d heard a new girl was coming, I

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made her a bracelet. It was purple and hot pink. My favorite colors. It had three silver beads in the middle that said SCS. Cassidy scooped up the bracelet and stuffed it in her pocket. “It’s a friendship bracelet,” I said as I held out my own colorful arm. “You wear it.” “I know,” she answered. “But I’m waiting until we’re actually friends.” My face felt like I had a bad case of sunburn. “She burnt you like toast,” whispered Ainsley. “Rich and rude.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy ignored her and swiped my journal off the desk. “That’s private,” I screeched. “It’s mine.” “Sorry,” she said. “I wasn’t peeking. Honest.” She changed the subject. “So what do you do around here for fun?” “Ride horses,” I said. She frowned. “Obviously. But what else?”

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Khadija spoke up. “We have movie nights with our horses. Go on trail rides. Spa days with our horses . . .” “Besides horse stuff,” said Cassidy. “The brochure said you have archery, arts & crafts, campfires, kayaks. Things like that.” “We do,” said Khadija. “But if it were up to us, we’d just be with the horses all day long.” Ainsley and I agreed. “What kind of horse do you ride?” I asked. “I don’t ride,” she said at last. “To be honest, I’m not sure if I even like horses.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I winced. Khadija covered her ears. Ainsley stood there, her mouth wide open. I wasn’t sure what to think of the new girl, but I knew one thing for sure. The Three Horseketeers would never become the Four Horseketeers.

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r Chapte

2

g n i p e Ke rets Sec “Excuse me?” I wiggled my finger inside my ear. “Did you just say . . .” “Yep,” Cassidy said as she smothered her lips in gloss. “I don’t ride. That’s why I’m here. To learn.” Ainsley sucked in her breath. “You mean, you’ve never been on a horse before?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Never,” she said. “Ever?” I asked. “In your entire life?” She pretended to pull out her hair. “Never ever. Is that a problem? I thought it would be fun to learn.” Ainsley, Khadija, and I were speechless. I grabbed her arm. “Wait a second . . . Have you ever even been around horses?”

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She tapped her chin with her finger. “Hmmmm . . . nope. That’s why I’m not sure if I’ll like being around them.” I steadied my voice. “The girls here at Storm Cliff Stables are horse crazy. We live, eat, and breathe horses.” Ainsley nodded. “We think about horses 24/7. Some of us plan to try out for the US Equestrian Team one day.” She leaned in and whispered, “By someone, I mean me.” Cassidy puffed out her cheeks. “Well anyone who lives, eats, and breathes horses 24/7 does Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

sound a bit . . . crazy, don’t you think?” She pulled her riding boots and helmet out of her suitcase. Ainsley slapped her cheeks. “You have StableMates?” She folded her arms. “Why would you have such expensive boots if you don’t compete? You don’t even ride!” Cassidy tossed them onto the bed. “Boots are boots, aren’t they?”

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Khadija shook her head. “No. Not really. Our boots are fifty dollars. Your boots are over five hundred bucks.” Cassidy’s

eyes

shifted.

“Really?”

Her

voice cracked. “That’s kind of embarrassing considering I’m not sure I’ll like being around horses, but . . .” That’s when she noticed all of us staring at her. “So I don’t ride,” she huffed. “I may not like horses. What’s the big deal?” “You’re at a horse camp,” said Ainsley. “It is a big deal.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Khadija agreed. “We ride every day. Two or three times a day. I ride Silver Moon. She’s a flea-bitten gray Thoroughbred mare. The most gentle, sweetest horse at camp.” Cassidy curled her lip and cringed. “Gross! Why does Silver Moon have so many fleas? That’s horrible. Give her a flea bath.” Khadija giggled. “Flea-bitten is the name of

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her color. She’s light gray with little speckles of black dots all over her body.” Ainsley interrupted. “I ride Minka. She’s a black Percheron mare. She’s huge! There are only two campers allowed to ride her.” She held up two fingers. “Two.” She patted herself on the back and puffed out her chest. “I’m one of them, of course.” Then she chuckled. “She’s not too sweet and not too gentle. That’s why I love her!” “Butterscotch is my horse,” I said. “He’s a palomino quarter horse stallion. His mane and tail are a beautiful flaxen color.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ainsley pointed to a picture of Butterscotch on the bulletin board. “I love his mane and tail. Especially when you braid them.” She turned to Cassidy. “Don’t believe Khadija. Silver Moon isn’t the sweetest horse at camp. Butterscotch wins hands down!” Khadija took a deep breath. “Really, Ainsley? Thanks.”

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“Keeping it real, Khadija,” said Ainsley. “Just keeping it real.” “Where do we eat? I’m starving!” Cassidy flapped her schedule above my head. “It says my evaluation time is at three o’clock. Where do I go? Do I have time to eat?” “I’ll take you to the arena,” I said. “But if you’ve never ridden before, I’m not sure Aunt Jane needs to evaluate you.” Ainsley looked at her watch. “Khadija and I have lessons soon. We have time to get a snack before you see Aunt Jane.” Her eyes lit up. “Maybe Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

we can look for a new skit before dinner? Now that there are four of us, we can pick a better one with dancing and singing . . .” Cassidy cut her off. “I don’t do skits. I don’t sing and I don’t dance.” Khadija stiffened. “Why not? That’s what we do at campfires. It’s fun!” “Count me out,” said Cassidy. “I’m . . . shy. I

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can’t do it. I won’t do it.” Ainsley rolled her eyes. “You don’t ride horses. You won’t do the skits. What will you do?” She shrugged. “Eat s’mores. Swim. And I am going to learn how to ride. Remember?” “So you’re a barrel of fun,” mumbled Ainsley under her breath. “I heard that,” said Cassidy. Ainsley raised her eyebrows. “Good. You were supposed to.” No one talked on our way over to the Pavilion. But as soon as we got to the snack table, Cassidy Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

high-fived me. “Peanut butter! I heart peanut butter.” She unscrewed the jar and took a whiff. “Yum! I haven’t had peanut butter in such a long time.” She grabbed a silver spoon and dug in. “Right out of the jar?” I asked. “I’m not allowed to eat peanut butter at home. My mom says it makes my skin oily. I’ve

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never tasted anything so delectable!” “It’s just peanut butter,” I said. “You can eat it every day if you want.” She squealed. “Every day?” Then she pinched herself. “Did I die and go to heaven?” “You’re pretty dramatic,” said Ainsley. “Maybe it’s not too late to switch to an acting camp.” Cassidy

stiffened.

“Acting

camp?”

She

slouched down in her chair. “I think I’d be a terrible actress. I won’t do it.” She suddenly looked like she was going to bawl buckets. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

That’s when the Pony Girls showed up. When they saw us, they rushed over with paper in their hands. As they swarmed around us, Cassidy held up her hand. “No autographs, girls.” Little Lexi Lewis poked her in the shoulder. “Why would we want your autograph?” Cassidy’s face turned at least five different

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

shades of red. “Oh, I was just kidding.” Then she snatched the paper out of Lexi’s hand. “What is this?” “Our schedule,” said Lexi, grabbing it back. “We’re Barn Rats. We help take care of the animals on the farm. We’re going to learn how to muck out stalls this week.” Cassidy scrunched her nose and puckered her lips. “Isn’t that a job for the hired help?” Ainsley sucked in her breath. “We are the help.” Cassidy looked nervous. “Do you actually Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

clean up the horses’ manure?” Lexi slapped her on the back. “Yep! It’s fun! Mucking out stalls means you’re respon . . . something.” She looked at me. “Right, Ryleigh?” I patted her head. “Responsible. And yes! Aunt Jane wouldn’t have you Pony Girls around the horses’ stalls if you weren’t responsible and trustworthy.”

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Lexi beamed. Then she stared at Cassidy for a minute. “You look like that girl CeCe Monroe from the FunHouse Channel.” Cassidy looked embarrassed. “Wow. She’s so pretty. Thanks.” Lexi shook her head. “Prettier than you. I don’t like your bangs.” The Pony Girls laughed. Cassidy didn’t. Instead, she pinched Lexi’s cheeks. “How admirable, Lexi, that Aunt Jane thinks you’re so responsible.” Lexi squinted and puckered her lips. “Ad-miCopyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

what? You talk funny.” Khadija corrected Lexi. “Be nice, Lexi. She doesn’t talk funny. She just uses fancy words sometimes.” Way too fancy for a twelve-year-old. “Admirable,” repeated Cassidy. “It’s a good thing. Promise. It means Aunt Jane thinks you’re doing a great job.”

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“Just like Ryleigh!” said Lexi. “She’s the best!” She took off one of her friendship bracelets and gave it to me. Ainsley shoved her arm in Lexi’s face. “Hey! What about me? Don’t I get one?” Lexi and the other Pony Girls shook their heads. Lexi repeated, “Ryleigh’s the best.” Then the girls marched and chanted, “Ryleigh’s the best! Ryleigh’s the best! Ryleigh’s the best!” They marched right out the door. I smirked. “Guess they’re just keeping it real, Ainsley.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ainsley pretended to gag. “Those Pony Girls make me laugh,” said Khadija. “Remember when we were Pony Girls?” “That’s when we met,” said Ainsley. “Four years ago.” “And we’ve been the Three Horseketeers ever since!” I said. Cassidy shoved another scoop of peanut

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butter into her mouth. “So you’re the best?” “No,” I said. “They only think so because I gave them some of my Twinkle Toes Hoof Glitter last week.” Khadija patted me on the back. “I think you’re the best. You’re always nice to them. Actually, you’re nice to everyone.” “Speak for yourself,” said Ainsley. “I honestly think I’m the best.” Cassidy ignored Ainsley but kept her eyes glued to me. “Then you’re the perfect person to teach me everything I need to know about Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

horses.” Then she added, “I’ll pay you of course.” “Pay me?” I blinked hard. “Why would you pay me?” “Because that’s what rich people do,” said Ainsley. Khadija gave Ainsley the evil eye. Cassidy shrugged. “I . . . I . . . doesn’t everyone get paid for helping people?”

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“Not around here,” I said. “We’re bunkmates. We help each other out. For free. That’s what friends do for each other.” She lowered her eyes. “But we’re not really friends yet. Are we?” “Sure we are,” I said. “We’re bunkmates. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together doing all sorts of fun stuff this summer. Who knows? Maybe we’ll end up being best friends.” Her face brightened as she pulled the bracelet out of her pocket and slipped it on her wrist. “Really? Like best friends that will keep all of Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

your secrets no matter what they are?” “That’s what best friends do,” I said. Her eyes twinkled as she held up her peanut butter covered spoon. “I’m cool with that!” A few minutes later, while we walked to the arena, I wondered what secrets Cassidy Clemson has. And if she told them to me, would I be able to keep them to myself?

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r3

Chapte

Trusets Issu It didn’t take long to find out Cassidy’s first

secret. “Okay,” she said. “Confession time. I’m terrified to get on a horse. I’m scared to be near one. That’s why I said I wasn’t sure if I liked them.” She kicked a pebble. “No one can know.” “Okay,” I said. I could keep that secret. “Then Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

why did you come to a horse camp?” She shrugged. “My cousins have horses and adore them to pieces.” Adore them to pieces? “I think I’d love them too if I had a chance to be around them.” She looked gloomy. “If you keep my secret about being afraid, my mom will give you money.”

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“Are you serious?” I asked. “I keep secrets for free all the time.” She walked faster. “That’s what they all say.” “Who?” I asked. “Forget I said anything,” she said. “It will get us both in trouble. Trust me.” Why would I get in trouble? And why was she trying to give me money? As we walked into the arena, I wondered how she’d be able to mount a horse if she was so scared of them. Before I could ask, Aunt Jane walked over. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“You must be Cassidy. I was happy to get your e-mail last week. You’re going to love Storm Cliff Stables.” Cassidy shook her hand. “I already do. It’s going to be the best six weeks of my life.” “I sure hope so,” said Aunt Jane. She motioned to Bree to walk Butterscotch over. That’s when I remembered the job!

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“Aunt Jane, I’d like to apply for the job. With Bree.” “I figured as much,” she said. “You’d be a super addition to the staff. Bree thought you might be interested.” She wrote my name down on her clipboard. “There are seven of you so far.” I took a deep breath. Be confident. Bree led Butterscotch toward us. “Hiya, Butterscotch,” I said as I ran my fingers through his mane and scritch-scratched the special spot between his ears. “We had a nice long trail ride this morning, didn’t we?” I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

reached into a bucket on the ground and pulled out a chunk of apple. I held it out for him. He neighed softly and lapped it up. “An extra long ride,” said Bree. “After you cooled him down and groomed him, I let him spend more time in the pasture with Minka.” She turned to Cassidy. “Butterscotch is gentle. You’ll love riding him.”

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“He’s so . . . big,” said Cassidy. “And muscular.” Bree patted Butterscotch’s belly. “Sixteen hands high.” Cassidy looked confused. Bree’s eyes darted between Aunt Jane and me. She nudged me with her shoulder and whispered, “Why don’t you explain it?” She pointed to Aunt Jane’s clipboard. “She’s taking notes on all the girls applying for the job.” I jumped into action! “Horses are measured by hands,” I said. “Each hand equals about four inches. Don’t let his size Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

scare you. He’s as sweet as a baby. Right, Aunt Jane?” Aunt

Jane

nodded

as

she

continued

scribbling on a piece of paper. “Nice explanation of measurement, Ryleigh.” I turned to Cassidy. “Now if you wanted to ride Minka, I’d be worried. Minka likes to be in control. That’s not good because it’s the rider’s

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job to control the horse. You might want to try riding Butterscotch.” Bree handed the lead rope to Aunt Jane before she walked away. Cassidy cracked her knuckles. “He sure is big,” she repeated. “But gentle,” I reminded her. Aunt Jane tapped her pencil on her clipboard. “Ready?” “No,” she said. “I’ve never mounted a horse before. I’ve never even stood this close to one.” Aunt Jane raised her eyebrows as she Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

examined Cassidy’s boots and helmet. “You look like an experienced rider.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Okay, then. We have a beginner. I’ll help you mount and then . . .” Cassidy backed away from Aunt Jane. “I’m not ready to get on a horse.” “Just try,” I said. Aunt Jane hushed me. “No, Ryleigh. I don’t

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believe in pushing campers. It doesn’t do the rider or the horse any good if the rider’s nervous. You should know that.” She quickly jotted something down on her clipboard. My hands started to sweat. I did know that! I thought of Avery. There’s no way she would have messed up! Cassidy inched back further. Aunt Jane rubbed her chin. “We need to get you comfortable around horses. I’m not sure how much free time Bree has available. And I suspect you don’t want to join the Pony Girls in Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

their stable management classes, do you?” Cassidy shook her head. “No way. That Lexi girl would torture me! I just know it.” “I can help her,” I said. “Really?” asked Aunt Jane. “It may cut into a bit of your riding time. Are you okay with that?” I nodded. “It’ll be fun.” Aunt Jane high-fived me. “This is why I love

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my girls! Everyone looks out for each other. They step up and help each other out. If anyone can get you to feel comfortable around horses, it’s Ryleigh.” She hugged me and handed me the lead rope. “Your first lesson starts now.” I saluted Aunt Jane. “Aye, aye, Captain!” I turned to Cassidy. “Let’s walk Butterscotch around the arena.” I held up the rope. “This is called the lead rope.” I put my thumb on the top and slid my fingers down a bit. “Hold it about six inches from the halter ring.” I picked up the rest of the rope. “Fold the rest of the rope and hold Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

it in your other hand so it doesn’t drag on the ground. You don’t want to trip on it or have your horse get tangled up in it.” “Looks easy so far,” said Cassidy. “It is easy as long as you remember the most important part. Don’t lead Butterscotch by walking in front of him. Lead by standing next to him. Can you guess why?”

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She shook her head. “I’m clueless.” I felt like a real teacher! “Once in a while, a horse gets spooked,” I said. “An animal could cross his path and scare him. Noises startle them. When they’re scared, they want to run. And if they run . . .” “You don’t want them running over you!” said Cassidy. “Exactly.” I held the rope out to her. “Want to

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

try it?”

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

She hesitated a few seconds before taking the rope. “Are you sure he won’t run over me?” “If you stand next to him, you’re safe,” I said. We circled around the arena three times. When we passed Aunt Jane again, Cassidy shouted, “Look at me! I’m leading Butterscotch!” Butterscotch immediately sidestepped. His ears went flat and his tail swished. Cassidy quickly tossed the rope back to me.

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“What happened?”

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

“It was quiet in here. He was relaxed. But you scared him when you yelled to Aunt Jane.” I calmly rubbed Butterscotch’s belly and patted his back. “When a horse flattens its ears, it’s letting you know it’s afraid or angry.” “I feel awful,” said Cassidy. “It’s okay,” I said. “Just make sure you speak calmly around them.” After a quick scritchscratch between his ears, we started to walk again. A minute later, I pointed to his ears. “See how they’re forward? He’s curious now. Happy.” “You can tell all that just by looking at his Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ears?” Cassidy asked. I nodded. “Horses communicate through body language. They use their ears and eyes to let us know what they’re thinking. Even the sounds they make tell us how they’re feeling. We learned that when we were Pony Girls.” Esha walked over to us and started kissing the air. “Heard you’re applyin’ for the job, Freckles.”

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Then she started kissing the air again! “What’s with the kissy faces?” I asked. “And yeah I have freckles. Big deal.” “You’re kissin’ up to Aunt Jane, aren’t you? That’s why you’re teachin’ the new girl about horses.” Cassidy stomped her foot. “Is that why you’re doing it?” I glared at Esha. “Mind your own business.” Esha turned and jogged out of the arena. “Ignore her,” I said. “She’s always like that. Trust me.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy folded her hands across her chest. I sighed. “Wanting that job has nothing to do with me helping you. We’re bunkmates. Friends. Right? You can trust me.” But when Cassidy made a smoosh face, I could tell she wasn’t so sure. That’s when I figured out her second secret. Cassidy Clemson had major trust issues.

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r Chapte

4

e e B e Th ng Sti After dinner, I decided that I wasn’t so sure I completely trusted Cassidy either. When she said she was going to get another spoonful of peanut butter, I decided to talk to Khadija and Ainsley about it. “Why don’t you trust her?” asked Khadija. “She says she’s not rich, but she keeps trying Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

to give me money. It’s just weird. And I know this might sound mean, but doesn’t she sort of look fake? Her eyes are too blue. Her teeth are perfect. Her skin is perfect. Her hair . . .” “Is perfect,” said Khadija. “No, it’s not,” said Ainsley. “It’s not her real color.” “How do you know?” I asked.

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Ainsley pointed to the towel draped over the chair. “She dried her hair with that towel. There are black smudges on it. Those smudges are from hair dye. That’s what happens when my mom washes her hair after she dyes it.” I grabbed the towel. “But why would a twelve-year-old dye her hair? Especially when she’s coming to camp?” I rubbed my forehead. “Something doesn’t add up.” Khadija shrugged. “She’s rich. It’s not a big deal.” “Khadija’s right,” said Ainsley. “Who cares?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Me! Because something didn’t feel right. I opened my journal and wrote HAIR COLOR and drew dollar signs on the page. As I was trying to figure things out, Cassidy bounced through the door. “Those Pony Girls are a hoot,” she said. “I bought all of them some ice cream at the Green Canteen.”

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“All of them?” asked Khadija. There were ten Pony Girls! Khadija raised her eyebrows. “Wish I were a Pony Girl.” Cassidy smiled. “Don’t worry.” She tossed each one of us an Italian Ice. “You didn’t think I’d forget about my bunkmates, did you?” “Thanks,” said Ainsley. “You scored a point with me.” Cassidy laughed. “When does the campfire start? This will be my first one.” She flashed a smile and walked into the bathroom. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I followed her until the door slammed in my face. “Hey, are you missing two teeth? I’m missing the same ones but I didn’t notice before.” Cassidy poked her head back out the door and smiled. “All of my pearly whites are here.” I shuffled my feet and stammered. “I . . . I could have sworn your two fang teeth were missing.”

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Before we left, I opened my journal and wrote FANGS? When we got to the campfire. Cassidy ricocheted around like a pinball. She headed straight to the s’mores first. Ping! Over to the Pony Girls next. Ping! Then up to Aunt Jane. Ping! Over to where Avery, Esha, and Jaelyn sat. Ping, ping, ping! I didn’t talk to her until the Pony Girls performed their skit. When it started, she slid onto the bench and nudged me over. “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” she whispered. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Is every night like this?” “Every single one,” I said. “You’ll make a lot of friends here.” She glanced down at my arm. “How many bracelets do you have?” I shrugged. “Not sure.” She held up her wrist. “Only one so far.” “You’ll get lots more,” I said. “Promise.”

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She yawned. “If I don’t, maybe I’ll just buy .

some for myself.” I narrowed my eyes. “But that’s cheating.” She moved her shoulders up and down. “Not if no one knows.” For the next five minutes, the Pony Girls danced. They sang. They made us laugh. Correction. Made some of us laugh. “That’s so fake looking,” said Cassidy. “Who taught Lexi how to cry like that?” “It’s supposed to be fake looking,” I said. “She’s acting.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“But she could be much more convincing,” said Cassidy. “Don’t you think?” She scanned the area. “Who’s in charge of the skits? I really want to give them a few pointers.” “Pointers?” said Ainsley. “Do you think we’re handing out Academy Awards here?” “Just enjoy it,” I said. “Bree’s cabin is up next.” Bree, Jaelyn, Esha, and Avery rushed over to

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the small stage. “This is going to be great!” I said as I turned to Cassidy. But she wasn’t around. “Where did she go?” Khadija pointed to the sandy beach. “Down there with the Pony Girls. I think she may be trying to apply for that job.” “Nah,” said Ainsley. “She doesn’t know anything about horses.” “True,” I said. “But I think I’ll go see what they’re doing anyway.” Maybe I was the one with trust issues. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Maybe she’s dyeing their hair,” said Ainsley. “Or buying them a house or something.” “Be nice,” said Khadija. Ainsley threw her hands up in the air. “This is me being nice.” I walked toward the group. As I inched closer, I heard loud noises. Grunting? I picked up my pace. Something didn’t seem right. My pulse

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quickened and my hands felt clammy. Someone was crying! It was little Lexi Lewis! She wasn’t just crying. She was sobbing! “Then what happened, Lexi?” asked someone from the crowd. Tears streamed down Lexi’s face. “My mom said, ‘Lexi, the horse is hurt. Her leg is broken. There’s nothing we can do for the filly.’” I ran over to Lexi and hugged her. “How awful! I’m so sorry!” But no one else rushed over. Instead, everyone Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cheered and clapped. “Bravo,” said Cassidy. “Bravo! Now that’s what real acting looks like.” Lexi bowed and gave everyone a high five. My eyes darted back and forth from Lexi to Cassidy. “What’s going on?” Cassidy brushed her fingers against her chest. “I just taught the Pony Girls how to cry on

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

cue. If you want me to teach you, I will.” “She’s a really good teacher,” said Lexi. “I bet all the other girls at camp would think I was really upset.” “I know I did,” I said. “You scared the marshmallows out of me!” Cassidy beamed like a proud parent. “Now I’ll show you some dance moves that will make your skit pop! And I know the perfect song!” Since when does Cassidy want to sing and dance? “I thought you said you didn’t sing? Or dance? Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Or act? I don’t get it.” Cassidy giggled. “I don’t. Not really.” “But you’re good,” said Lexi. “You sing like that actress CeCe Monroe. I love her! I have her posters hanging in my room.” Cassidy looked uneasy. “In your cabin? Here at camp?” Lexi nodded. “She’s my favorite. Don’t you

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just love her? She sings, dances, and acts, too. Just like you.” Cassidy stepped back. “Me? I don’t really know how to act, sing, or dance.” Lexi looked disappointed. “But you said . . .” Just then, we heard Aunt Jane calling us back to the campfire. “Gather around, girls. We need another camp photo since a new family member joined us today. Let’s give Cassidy Clemson a warm welcome.” Everyone cheered and formed a semicircle Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

around the fire pit. Aunt Jane held up her camera. “Squeeze in, girls! We have to make sure everyone fits into the photo.” We huddled closer together. “A little closer,” said Aunt Jane. She looked through the lens. “Perfect! On the count of three, say . . .”

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“Wait,” yelled Cassidy. “I need a new spot. Don’t take the picture yet!” “You’re fine,” said Aunt Jane. “Smile.” “No!” screamed Cassidy. “I’m not fine here. This is my bad side.” Ainsley clicked her tongue. “Puh-lease . . . are you serious?” She was! Because a second later, Cassidy scurried around the fire and stood on the other side next to Esha. “My mom says my right side is my best side. I’m not allowed to be photographed from the Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

left.” Ainsley gagged and then pretended to throw up a little. “One, two, three!” said Aunt Jane. FLASH! “Thanks, girls!” said Aunt Jane. Cassidy darted back over to us. “This was so much fun! I love campfires!”

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“Campfires and peanut butter,” said Ainsley. “Just not horses, or singing, or dancing, or acting, or . . .” Cassidy glared at her. “I didn’t say I didn’t like horses. I just wasn’t sure. But now that I’ve spent time with Butterscotch, I feel better about them.” Aunt Jane overheard. “That’s good to know. I told you Ryleigh would be able to help you.” Esha was lurking around. She made kissy faces again. I clenched my hands. “Leave me alone, Esha. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Or I’ll squash you like a bee.” Esha buzzed around like a bee and zoomed away. Ainsley smirked and pulled her hair into a bun. “Did anyone else notice that?” Her voice sounded like Cassidy’s. “What?” I asked. “Esha really acted much more like a

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dragonfly. If she really wanted to act like a bee, she would have done this.” She started buzzing and humming around the fire. Cassidy grumbled. “Buzz off, Ainsley.” That’s when I noticed her arm. It was filled with friendship bracelets. Lots and lots of rainbow-colored friendship bracelets. From the Pony Girls. I may not be able to act like a bee, but I sure

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knew what it felt like to be stung by one.

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r5

Chapte

s I e s i m e o r P A romis aP The next morning at breakfast, I noticed a whole bunch of girls crowded around Aunt Jane. Khadija, Ainsley, Cassidy, and I walked over to them. “Hi, Freckles,” said Esha. “Are you definitely applyin’ for the job?” I covered my nose. Sometimes Esha made me Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

want to rub my freckles off. “Yeah. But a lot of girls want it. I’m not sure how many.” “Nine,” said Esha. “That includes yours truly.” Aunt Jane cleared her throat. “I’ll have a decision in a few days. Avery just asked what I’m looking for in a worker.” She put her arm around Bree. “I want another Bree. Someone who is thoughtful. Careful. Fair. Has the ability to

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know what the animals need. Gentle. Honestly, I want a team player. You also have to be willing to work with the Pony Girls three days a week.” “Are you going to interview us?” asked Avery. Avery Donaldson is the best rider at camp. Watching her jump Sapphire, you just know you’re looking at a future Olympian. I twirled my hair around my finger. Khadija bumped me with her hip. “I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that Avery will get the job because she’s going to make the Olympics one day.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“How do you do that?” I asked. “You always know what I’m thinking.” She shrugged. “My mom says it’s a gift.” She grabbed my hand. “You need to have more confidence in yourself. You really are the perfect person for the job.” Esha overheard. “Forget Avery. You need to be worried about me, Freckles. Aunt Jane said I’ve

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matured this year.” Then she stuck her tongue out at us and slid closer to Aunt Jane. Khadija giggled. “So much for maturity!” Aunt Jane spoke up. “Actually, I don’t need to interview anyone. I talk to all of you every day. I know who pitches in when needed. I know who has that special way with animals and who actually likes being around the Pony Girls.” She glanced at Esha. “I mean, if you’ve complained to me that you really hate the eightyear-olds, then I’m not going to pick you. That wouldn’t make sense now, would it?” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Esha blew a big bubble and then popped it with a neon-colored fingernail. “I think Aunt Jane means me,” she said. “Peace out.” Then she bowed and shuffled away from the group. Everyone laughed. “Now there are only eight of you,” said Khadija. “Just go about your everyday business,” said

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Aunt Jane. “Trust me. My eyes are open. I’ll see you in action. Know what you’re doing and not doing.” Her eyes twinkled. “Just in case anyone wants to know, I could use a little help working in the small barn in a few minutes.” She winked. “Hint, hint.” “Here’s your chance,” said Khadija. “Go help. Show her how hard you work.” I started to follow the other girls toward the door, but Cassidy tugged at my shirt. “You promised to help me now. Remember?” I had forgotten! “I . . . I . . .” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Aunt Jane turned around. “Coming, Ryleigh?” Cassidy lowered her voice. “Please?” My mouth was dry. Aunt Jane wasn’t going to like my answer. “I can’t. I promised to help Cassidy. A promise is a promise.” Aunt Jane ran her finger down her clipboard. She wrote something down quickly. “Well, okay then. I’ll see you later on.”

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I groaned. Did I just blow it? Cassidy twirled around the milk machine. “Ryleigh’s the best! Ryleigh’s the best! Ryleigh’s the best!” Ainsley walked by and chanted, “Ryleigh’s a sucker! Ryleigh’s a sucker! Ryleigh’s a sucker! Or at least she’s too nice for her own good.” That’s sort of how I felt when I saw Aunt Jane leaving with her arm around Avery’s shoulder. But a promise is a promise, isn’t it? “Let’s go to the stable, Ryleigh. Layla says I need to know more about horses. She was Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

talking about how you measure a horse up to their weathers and . . .” I bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud. “You mean withers.” “OMG! Weathers. Withers. Whatever. Now you know why she said I needed the basics.” As we walked away, I stepped in a milk puddle. “Looks like someone spilled milk and

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didn’t clean it up.” I grabbed a pile of napkins and sopped up the mess. When I went to throw them away, Aunt Jane was staring at me from across the room. She scribbled something down on her clipboard and then quickly left the Pavilion. “Great! Aunt Jane thinks I spilled the milk. She’ll think I’m too clumsy to work for her.” My eyes stung. Cassidy patted me on the back. “You know what they say, don’t you?” I shook my head. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“There’s no use crying over . . . SPILT MILK.” Now we both cracked up. I led Cassidy through the Pavilion and out to the stable. As soon as we walked inside, the smell of hay, shavings, and leather smacked me in the face. “It’s smelly in here,” said Cassidy. “It’s actually a very clean stable. Aunt Jane

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makes sure the stalls are mucked out at least twice a day.” We walked by Sapphire’s stall. “What a cute pony,” said Cassidy. I stopped and fed Sapphire a carrot. “Sapphire isn’t a pony. She’s a chestnut Thoroughbred mare. She’s seventeen hands high.” I rested my head on Sapphire’s. “A pony is a small horse. Smaller than fourteen hands.” Sapphire snorted and bobbed her head up and down. “She’s impressed you know that,” said Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy. “So am I.” So I gave her a carrot, too! “Avery rides Sapphire. She’d never ride a pony now.” “Why not?” asked Cassidy. “The younger girls ride ponies. They’re smaller so ponies are perfect for them.” “So a mare is a girl horse?” asked Cassidy.

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“What’s a boy horse called?” Cassidy really was a beginner! “When a horse is born, it’s called a foal. A colt is a male horse and a female horse is called a filly when it’s born. They’re called colts and fillies until they’re three years old. When they’re three, a colt becomes a stallion or a gelding. A filly becomes a mare.” Cassidy scratched her head. “That’s kind of complicated. Why can’t they just be called a filly or a colt forever? Wouldn’t that make sense?” “It helps people identify the age of the horse.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I looked around the stable. “There are only two ponies in here. The rest are kept down at the small barn.” Cassidy covered her face with her hands. “No wonder Layla laughed when I kept saying how cute all the ponies in here were.” “No big deal,” I said. “Now you know.” We walked by a few more stalls. When we got

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to Cupid’s stall, Cassidy gushed. “So this must be a pony. Look how cute!” I unlatched the door. “Want to go in and say hi? This is Cupid. Look at the heart-shaped marking on his forehead.” Cassidy examined the marking closer. “It really is heart-shaped!” When I opened the door, she backed away. “I’m fine right here.” She waved. “Hi there,

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cupid.”

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

“Lexi rides Cupid,” I said. Cassidy stepped forward and puffed out her chest. “If little Lexi Lewis rides him, at least I can mount him and sit on her for a few minutes.” “That’s not a good idea,” I said. “Aunt Jane only wants the eight- to ten-year-olds on them.” Cassidy

combed

her

bangs

with

her

fingertips. “Is Cupid a boy or girl?” “Boy,” I said. “And he’s seven years old.” “There are thirty other horses you can mount,” I said. “Which one will it be?” Cassidy backed way. “I wish I could but I just Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

can’t do it, Ryleigh. I’m too afraid. Are you mad at me?” “Of course not,” I said. But inside I was secretly worried. If I couldn’t get Cassidy Clemson to mount a horse soon, would Aunt Jane even consider me for the job?

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r6

Chapte

i t i f f a r G e h T Artist I woke up extra early the next day so I could tack up Butterscotch myself. I quietly slipped out of bed, grabbed my boots and helmet, and walked over to the stable. But I was too late. Bree was already there adjusting Butterscotch’s saddle. Right away, I noticed her red nose, pale cheeks, and glassy Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

eyes. “Are you feeling okay?” Aunt Jane was passing by with a barrel of hay. “Bree looks sick,” I said. Aunt Jane felt her forehead. “You’re warm. Back to bed. I’ll get Dr. Davis to check on you.” Bree sneezed. “The Pony Girls are looking forward to today. If I cancel, they’ll be upset.” I rubbed Butterscotch’s belly. “You hear that,

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boy? Bree’s sick.” Bree coughed. “It’s just a cold.” Aunt Jane patted her back. “Maybe. But maybe not. I think the Pony Girls will understand. You can do it tomorrow.” Bree

slouched

her

shoulders.

“But

everything’s set up for today.” I walked over to the craft tables. “I remember craft and activity days from when I was a Pony Girl. Bree’s right. The girls will be disappointed. And when Pony Girls are disappointed, they usually cry. A lot.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Aunt Jane winced. I turned to Bree. “I can fill in for you today. But only if you want me to.” Bree’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’d do it?” “Sure!” I looked at the agenda. “It looks like fun.” I glanced at Aunt Jane. “I’m a team player.” Aunt Jane was quiet for a minute. Then she smiled and scribbled something down on her

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clipboard. “What about your riding lesson? If you don’t take Butterscotch out now, you won’t get to ride him today. Esha and Jaelyn are scheduled to work him later.” I ran my hand over Butterscotch’s glossy coat. “You won’t mind, Butterscotch, will you?” He nuzzled my ear. “What if, for some reason, you couldn’t ride Butterscotch tomorrow? Would you change your mind? Would you go to your riding lesson now?” asked Aunt Jane. I took a deep breath. “No,” I said. “Because Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Bree needs me today. Like I said, I’m a team player.” Aunt Jane frowned and hesitated before she wrote something else. Was it something I said? Why would Aunt Jane look upset? Finally, she slowly nodded. “Then it’s settled. Bree, get back to your cabin. Dr. Davis will check

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on you soon enough.” She glanced at her watch. “Ryleigh, the Pony Girls should be here in five minutes.” She patted my back. “We appreciate your help.” “Glad I can help,” I said. “I love working with the Pony Girls.” Then I looked around to see if Esha was nearby. I didn’t want Aunt Jane to see her making those awful kissy faces in the air. But it was the truth! I do love helping the Pony Girls. I studied the schedule: scavenger hunt, horse painting, horse treats, craft. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Can you handle it?” asked Aunt Jane when Bree left. “It’s five Pony Girls. The other five are going on a trail ride with Layla.” “Piece of cake,” I said. “Don’t worry.” She rushed over to the tack box. “Since Bree’s sick, I have to tack up the rest of the horses. If you need anything, give a shout. I’ll come running!” I gave her a thumbs-up. “I got this.”

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And I did! Three minutes later, the Pony Girls walked quietly into the stable. “Bree said we needed to be quieter when we came in today,” said Lexi. “We don’t want to spook the horses.” “That Bree is a smart cookie,” I said. “Speaking of smart cookies, we’re going to make some sweet treats for your horses today.” The girls’ eyes widened. “And we also have a craft, a game, and, if we have time, we’re going to paint designs on a horse.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Paint my horse,” said Lexi. “Cupid would love it!” But the other Pony Girls had other ideas. “No,” squealed Isabel. “Let’s paint my pony. Hot Chocolate is the prettiest horse here.” Lexi clenched her jaw. “We can’t paint your horse. Your horse is dark brown. How are we gonna see the colors on a brown horse?”

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Then the other three girls started arguing about whose horse was the best one in the stable. Isabel started to cry. It was getting out of hand! I held two fingers up in the air. This was their signal to stop talking and start listening. One by one, they held up their own two fingers. When it was completely quiet, I spoke. “Pony Girls must cooperate with each other. We need teamwork. Who has time for arguing? The more you argue, the less time we have for fun. If you want to have fun, give me jazz hands.” Jazz hands are silent hands. Just the way I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

needed them to be. All five girls twisted their hands back and forth. It was a trick my teacher used at school. Then Lexi whispered, “Which horse are you going to pick?” Each Pony Girl gave me puppy dog eyes and had their hands clasped together in front of their chest. Isabel had her eyes shut tight and

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was whispering, “Pick Hot Chocolate, pick Hot Chocolate, pick Hot Chocolate.” I wasn’t sure who to pick. As I thought about it, I noticed Aunt Jane peeking in at us. Was she spying on me to see if I was a good teacher? I

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

knew I had to pick a horse and pick one fast.

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“I would love to paint all of your horses today, but we can’t. Lucky for us, we’ll have lots more time this summer to use our paints. So for today, I’m going to be extra fair and square and not pick any of them. Instead, we’ll decorate Butterscotch. Can we make him extra handsome today?” The girls nodded and gave me jazz hands again. Whew! I looked over to get Aunt Jane’s seal of approval, but she was gone. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I brought Butterscotch out to the aisle and tied him to a post. “This is special paint,” I said. “It washes off easily and it won’t harm Butterscotch. It’s nontoxic. That means it’s not poisonous.” I placed a can of paintbrushes on the ground near his head. “You can use brushes or your fingers. Feel free to paint his belly.”

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“But stay away from his backside,” said Lexi. “You don’t want to get kicked.” I dipped a paintbrush in red paint and drew a star on Lexi’s hand. “Smart thinking. You earned a star.” Then Lexi shoved her finger in blue paint and drew a star on Butterscotch’s shoulder. Within ten minutes, Butterscotch was covered in stars, smiley faces, flowers, and hearts. “Now that we fancied up Butterscotch, let’s make sure the other horses aren’t feeling left out. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Are you ready to make sweet treats for them?” Five heads bobbed up and down. Isabel and Lexi chest bumped each other. I grabbed a container of dried oatmeal and a bottle of molasses from the storage shed. “By the time we’re done baking, we’ll have enough cookies for all of the horses at Storm Cliff Stables.”

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Lexi was so excited that she bounced from foot to foot. For the next few minutes, the girls scooped oatmeal out of the bin and added spoonfuls of molasses to their bowls. “Add a tiny bit of water,” I said. “Just enough to make the dough soft.” The girls stirred and stirred and stirred the mixture. I held up a small piece of dough. “Now form your cookies into different shapes. Put them on the cookie sheets.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

By the time we finished, we had treats shaped into circles, triangles, horseshoes, and even a few rainbows. “We’ll bring these to the kitchen a little later and pop them into the oven. They’ll only take eight minutes to bake.” “Ha, ha!” said Lexi. “We’re all eight years old. That’s funny. Do you need to bake yours for

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twelve minutes, Ryleigh? You’re twelve years old. Get it?” This made all the Pony Girls roar with laughter. “Shhh,” I said. “Don’t scare Butterscotch.” “He looks hungry,” said Lexi. “Can we feed him as soon as they’re cooked?” “Nope,” I said. “After dinner. When we get our dessert, the horses will get theirs too.” “This is so much fun,” said Lexi. “Being a Pony Girl is the bestest part of camp!” “Well, the fun isn’t over yet,” I reminded her. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“We’re going to make a craft now.” I held up a horseshoe. “These are real horseshoes that the horses here have worn to protect their hooves. But they’re worn out now. That’s good news for us because we can recycle them and decorate them. Then we can hang them in our cabins.” I pointed to the box of art supplies on the bench under the window. “Decorate your

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horseshoe any way you want. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!” For the next twenty minutes, the girls used stickers, sequins, paint, markers, paper, yarn, and tiny trinkets to cover their horseshoes. Each time a girl held up her creation, the rest of us oohed and ahhed. “They need to dry overnight.” I turned the horseshoe so the ends pointed toward the ceiling. “We’ll hang them like this to bring us good luck.” I looked at my watch. The time was flying by! Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Now we’re going to have a scavenger hunt in the barn.” I passed out papers and clipboards. “You’ll need to answer all of these questions or find certain objects in the barn. The first one who hands in her paper and materials wins a prize.” Everyone got to work except Lexi. She rocked back and forth and crossed her legs.

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I gotta go,” she said. “It can’t wait!” She dashed out of the barn and ran back to her cabin. When she returned a few minutes later, she stomped around and flared her nostrils. “Look what someone did to my CeCe Monroe poster!” She held up a magic markered poster. I inspected it closer. “Why would someone draw a mustache on her?”

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Lexi shook her fist in the air. “And they used a marker to color in her eyes and made her teeth black.” She tapped the poster. “They even poked holes where her diamond earrings were.” She shrugged her shoulders. “They weren’t real diamonds on her anyway.” “How do you know?” I asked. “She wears clip-on earrings,” said Lexi. “She has a freckle on each ear exactly where the piercing would go. Her mom won’t let them put a hole through the freckles.” “You sure know a lot about CeCe Monroe,” I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

said. She crumpled up the poster and threw it away. “Someone’s going to be in big trouble.” But who? When I told the girls at lunch about the poster, everyone was upset. “Who would do that to a Pony Girl?” asked Khadija.

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“Whoever did it should start packing,” said Ainsley. Isabel fumed. “If I find out who did that, I’m gonna call the police and have them arrested.” It’s all everyone talked about at lunch. Everyone except Cassidy Clemson. She went right on sucking on her peanut butter spoon. Maybe little Lexi Lewis had uncovered another secret. Maybe, just maybe, Cassidy Clemson was a

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

graffiti artist.

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r7

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g n i s s i M e h s T e n i z Maga After lunch, everyone changed into their bathing suits. While the girls took the path to the left that led to the lake, I turned right. “I’ll meet you there in a few minutes,” I said. “Where are you going?” asked Khadija. “To the Green Canteen to get Lexi another Teen Time magazine,” I said. “She’s still upset.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“She’ll get over it,” said Cassidy. Ainsley stopped walking. “Hello? She’s a Pony Girl. They’re full of drama. She’ll be crying about this for days. Maybe even weeks. We’ll be hearing about it next summer!” Cassidy waved me back. “They don’t have any more copies of Teen Time. Don’t waste your time.”

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“Oh, were you already there today?” I asked. She shook her head. “I haven’t had any time to go today. But it was last month’s issue. They must be sold out by now.” I closed my eyes and pictured the cover. It had July written on the top. “The poster was in this month’s edition,” I said. “They’ll have lots more copies.” But when I got there, there wasn’t a single Teen Time in sight. “Can I help you find something, dear?” asked Mrs. Matthews, the cashier. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I was hoping to get the latest Teen Time. But it looks like you’re out of them.” She pushed her glasses up on her nose. “You’re a silly goose. I put ten copies out this morning, and I haven’t sold any today.” She scanned the rack. “Where are they?” A minute later, she shook her head. “I don’t understand. They were here this morning.”

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“Thanks anyway,” I said before I left. As soon as I got outside, I saw Lexi skipping up the path waving a five-dollar bill in her hand. “I’m going to buy another copy of that magazine.” I groaned. “Oh, Lexi! I was going to buy it for you, but there aren’t any more copies.” She snapped her finger in the air. “That stinks.” Then she perked up. “I’ll buy some ice cream instead. Maybe I’ll get the new kind Cassidy had today.” “You mean yesterday?” I asked. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

She shook her head. “Today. I ran into her right before I went into my cabin and found the poster. She was eating a Cherry Berry Bar.” She licked her lips. “It looked yummy.” Didn’t Cassidy just say she wasn’t at the Green Canteen today? I grabbed Lexi’s hand. “I’ll go in with you. It’ll be my treat.”

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Her eyes lit up as she bent over and tucked her money into her boot. “Thanks!” Once inside, she headed straight for the freezer case. “Or maybe I’ll have a Nutty Buddy Bar. Or an Italian Ice.” I yawned and leaned against the counter. “Your pick.” Mrs. Matthews looked up. “Oh! It’s you again. I’m glad you came back. After you left, I saw this

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

note on the floor with money clipped to it.”

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Mrs. Matthews fanned herself. “Whew! I knew there had to be a logical explanation. I must have been in the back when the customer came in. Now if I could figure out who to thank for the change.” She patted the horse rescue donation jar on the counter. “I put it in here.” I peeked into the jar. “How much money did the person give you?” She clasped her hands together. “It was a one hundred dollar bill. Can you imagine?” Cassidy! But why? After Lexi picked out her ice cream, I walked Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

her to the arena and headed back to my cabin. The lake was going to have to wait. I had too much to think about and needed some peace and quiet to do it. Once I got inside, I reached for my journal and wrote: Poster ruined. WHY? WHO? Magazines missing. WHY? Cassidy?

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As I was thinking, I started to twirl my marker around my fingers. But it was sticky. I examined the pen. There was a red gob of something on it. Lip gloss? My toothpaste? I gave it a quick sniff. Cherry! A Cherry Berry Bar? Cassidy’s Cherry Berry Bar? I had a hunch. I rushed down to the stable with my marker and hunted through the recycling bin until I found the poster on the bottom. I spread it out on the craft table and scribbled the marker over it. It was the same exact grayishCopyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

blackish color! It was the same marker! With cherry juice on it. Juice from Cassidy’s Cherry Berry Bar! I knew what I had to do. I jogged back to the cabin and snooped around. I looked under my bunk. There wasn’t anything but a smelly sock in the corner and some suitcases. I shook Cassidy’s suitcase first. Empty.

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Then I pulled out my suitcase. It was heavy. I tried to think what I had left inside of it. My spare sneakers? Decorations for our cabin? I slid it over to the middle of the room and unzipped it. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Staring back at me were ten Teen Time magazines! My heart raced. My stomach got that icky feeling again.

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

How did these get in here?

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

I didn’t have much time to figure it out. I heard some voices coming up the path. I rushed to the window and saw Cassidy and Khadija. I zipped the suitcase shut and pushed it back under the bunk. Just in time! The door swung open. Khadija smiled. “What are you doing in here?” I had to think fast. “Sunscreen,” I said. “I just slathered so much on that I’m giving it extra time to dry. Why did Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

you guys come back?” Cassidy looked at the bunk and then glanced at me again. She curled her lips up but it looked like a fake smile. A nervous smile. Was she trying to frame me? Why? It didn’t make sense. “I lost my earring,” said Cassidy. “I wanted to look for it. Khadija offered to help.”

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“I told her I had a pair she could borrow but guess what? She wears clip-on earrings!” Cassidy looked embarrassed. “Long story.” Clip-on earrings!? Lexi just told me about CeCe Monroe’s earrings. Was it a coincidence? “Can I see your ears, Cassidy?” “Sure.” She leaned closer so I could inspect them. But they were plain old ears. No freckles. I didn’t know what to do. Would anyone believe that I didn’t put those magazines in my suitcase? I decided to follow Cassidy everywhere she went. I’d stick to her like glue. Even though Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

I wasn’t hungry, I followed her into the Pavilion to get a snack. “Want to go to the stable and give me another lesson?” she asked. “I have so many questions for you.” I have a lot of questions for you, I thought. We walked to the barn without talking. When we got there, I couldn’t take it anymore.

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I was just about to ask her about the magazines, when all of a sudden, a flash went off. Click, click, click! “Is someone taking pictures of me?” Cassidy covered her face. Then she stumbled backward and fell over a bale of hay.

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“It’s the paparazzi!” she screamed. “Run!”

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r Chapte

8

Theazzi r a p a P Cassidy grabbed my arm and pulled me down to the ground. “Did he see us?” “Who?” I said, peeking over the bale of hay. She clicked her tongue. “The paparazzi. Someone’s trying to get a picture of me.” “Who wants a picture of you?” “The question is, who doesn’t want a picture Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

of me?” she said. I popped up to see Colby, a reporter from the Storm Cliff Times, waving to us. “That’s Colby,” I said. “He’s a reporter. It’s his job to write about our camp activities.” I pulled her up off the ground. “Who did you think he was?” Colby came over and shook Cassidy’s hand.

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“Did I hear you say that you thought I was the paparazzi?” He laughed. “We don’t have any paparazzi around here. There aren’t any famous people in these parts. No celebrities. At least none that I know of.” He looked sideways at her. “Unless you’re one, of course.” She picked a piece of straw out of her hair. “Do I look like a celebrity?” He slowly nodded. “Actually, you do. You look a little like that girl on the FunHouse Channel. CeCe . . . CeCe . . . something. She’s a triple threat, you know.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“What’s a triple threat?” I asked. “Someone who can sing, dance, and act,” he said. Cassidy looked annoyed. “Well, I’m not a triple threat. I’m just a regular girl at a summer camp.” Colby tapped his pencil on his notebook. “To be honest, I wish you were someone famous. We

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could use a little excitement around Storm Cliff Stables.” “Colby interviews us,” I said. “He takes our pictures and writes about our horses and all of the fun things we do around here.” “Which is why I’m here today, Ryleigh. Do you have any hot tips for me?” I pointed to Cassidy. “I’m teaching her about horses. This is her first time around them and she’s twelve!” Colby raised his camera and snapped another picture. “For the paper.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy stomped her foot. “Stop! I don’t want my picture taken. I didn’t sign a release statement. You can’t use it.” Colby smirked. “Actually, I can. You signed a release form when you came to camp. But if you feel that strongly about not wanting to be in the paper, then I won’t use it. But just so you know, most of the campers would pay big bucks to be

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featured in the Storm Cliff Times.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Not me. My mom pays reporters to keep me out of newspapers.” Colby narrowed his eyes. “Really?” She laughed it off. “Just kidding.” But I wasn’t so sure about that. Was this another secret? Why didn’t she want her picture in the paper? What was she hiding? After Colby left, Dr. Samuels and Aunt Jane came into the stable. Aunt Jane was leading a horse she rescued last year into a stall. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“Is that Maverick?” I asked. Maverick was rescued and adopted last summer. He’s missing an ear and is blind in one eye. He was beaten with a whip and won’t let anyone mount him. She nodded. “Dr. Samuels is trying to figure out what’s wrong with him. We had him down at the small barn because it’s been easier to

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monitor his progress there. But something is off this week.” “But he’s been so agitated,” said Dr. Samuels. “Could be depressed. We know he’s been through a lot of pain and suffering in his life.” Aunt Jane offered Maverick a peppermint candy. He pushed her hand away with his nose. “Now I’m really worried. He never refuses mints.” She kissed his nose. Dr. Samuels and Aunt Jane fussed with Maverick for the next twenty minutes. Finally, Dr. Samuels grabbed his bag. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I’ll be back tomorrow. I don’t see any physical problems. He could be lonely. Depressed.” He glanced around the stall. “Make sure he has plenty of fresh water in here. He isn’t consuming as much as I want him to. We don’t want him to become dehydrated, so bring in a salt lick.” Aunt Jane nodded. “Consider it done.” “I’ll be back to see him tomorrow,” said Dr.

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Samuels. “He’s on stall rest until I get some results back.” He shook Aunt Jane’s hand. “Keep him company.” Aunt Jane chewed on her thumbnail. Maverick was restless. He was moving from side to side and gnawing the top of the door. “Get the radio,” I said. “If no one can sit with him tonight, at least he’ll think he has company.” “Why didn’t I think of that?” asked Aunt Jane. “Go get it from Bree in the small barn. Music just might soothe him.” So while I ran down to the small barn, Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy went back to the cabin to change into her bathing suit. At least, that’s what she said she was going to do. But when I got back, she was standing outside the stall on Maverick’s good side. As I got closer, I heard her singing softly to him. I ducked around the corner. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine . . .”

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Then she sung some lullabies. Maverick must have been listening too because I could see him relax. He became still. He stopped chewing. His ear was alert. Cassidy kept on singing. Her voice was beautiful. She sounded like an angel as she sang “Amazing Grace.” I wasn’t sure how much time passed, but I suddenly felt a tug on my shirt.

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

It was Lexi pointing to the radio. “I didn’t

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

know CeCe had a whole radio station that played her music. Isn’t she the best?” I opened my mouth to explain that it wasn’t the radio, but then I snapped it shut. I put the radio on the table and quietly led Lexi out of the barn. It only took me a minute before I realized that I just uncovered Cassidy’s biggest secret of all. It explained everything! And it didn’t come straight from the horse’s mouth.

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

It came right out of Lexi’s!

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r9

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s n o i s onfes

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When we were alone later on in the Pavilion, I knew it was time to confront Cassidy. “Fess up,” I said. “You’re really CeCe Monroe, aren’t you?” Cassidy scrunched her nose and threw her hands up in the air. “What are you talking about? That’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“No,” I said firmly. “You are CeCe Monroe. Admit it.” She lowered her eyes and whispered, “How did you figure it out?” My eyes widened. “So it’s true?” I sat next to her at a table. “I can’t believe it.” She reached up and removed the elastic band from her bun. Her hair cascaded around her

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shoulders and reached down to her hips. “I dyed my hair black and got bangs so people wouldn’t recognize me. Obviously, it didn’t work.” Then she clicked her teeth. Two fang teeth attached to some kind of retainer popped out. “You caught me without these in. Everyone knows CeCe is missing two teeth. So I tried to disguise my mouth too.” She thumped her head

Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on the table.

Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

I knew my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me! “I felt something was different about you from the first time I met you,” I said. “Not many kids have hundred dollar bills, maids, cooks, drivers, and all that stuff.” Then I thought of the first time we went to the Pavilion. “You thought the Pony Girls wanted your autograph. You didn’t want your picture taken for the newspaper. Things like that. “But it wasn’t until I heard you singing to Maverick that I knew for sure. There’s nobody that can sing like you. At least that’s what Lexi Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

says.” Cassidy eyes glistened. “Now everyone will know I’m here. It’s only been a few days and I already blew it. I have to leave. Tonight.” She started to cry. “Some actress I am.” I grabbed her hand. “I won’t tell anyone. Promise.” “I’ve heard that before,” she mumbled.

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“Not from me,” I shot back. “I mean it. My lips are zipped.” She tilted her head. “How much do you want?” she said flatly. I was confused. “For what?” “To keep quiet,” she said. “Stop offering me money,” I said. “Is that a Hollywood thing? Because it’s not a Pennsylvania thing.” She rubbed her temples. “My mom calls it hush money. When I’m on vacation, once the paparazzi let the newspapers and magazines Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

know where I am, people pounce. Sometimes there’s such a big crowd, it’s scary dangerous. So, we leave.” “That’s sad,” I said. “Is that why you’re here? Undercover? For a vacation?” She let out a deep sigh. “No. Not really. It’s because of my cousins. I used to be really close with them. There are fifteen of them! But I work

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so much that I hardly ever see them now. They go to summer camp every year. I’ve begged my parents to let me go with them, but my mom says actresses just can’t take summers off like ‘normal’ people.” She grabbed a napkin and dabbed her eyes. “So every year, I work. I make movies. Record albums. Model. Tape TV specials for FunHouse. And while I work, my cousins go to camp and send me dozens of postcards and letters. Now when I see them at Christmas, if I see them at Christmas, I’ll be able to talk about horses and Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

camp with them.” I was more confused than ever. “What made your parents change their minds?” She sort of smiled. “I lied to them.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t know what to say. Finally, she spoke again. “I told my parents that I had heard a rumor

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that I was being considered for a big movie role next year. They’re remaking Black Beauty and National Velvet. Turning them into musicals. They were my mom’s favorite movies when she was our age. She was so excited. She said it could earn me an Academy Award . . . and lots of money. I knew she’d want me to take riding lessons but I was determined to come to camp. Just like my cousins. I wanted to be a normal kid again. Just for the summer.” “Like when you were eight years old?” “You got that right,” she said. “Like the Pony Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Girls. Not an actress. Not a singer. Not a dancer or model. So I told my mom that the director would only hire someone who had been to horse camp. Said he wouldn’t consider any actress that didn’t have the ‘summer camp experience.’” “So that’s how you ended up here?” I asked. “Because your mom thought it would help you get a movie role?”

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She nodded. “I’ve already had more fun here than I’ve had in a long time. I’m even getting used to the horses. I really did feel like a normal kid. And I was starting to get real friends who liked me for me. Not my job.” She started to cry harder. “Now I have to leave.” “Why?” I asked. “My lips are zipped. Remember? No one else has to know.” “It doesn’t work that way,” she said. “If you figured it out, others will too. Like Colby. If I don’t leave, camp will be ruined for all of the girls here. Helicopters will come by and swoop Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

down low to try to get my picture. They’ll spook the horses. It would be dangerous for them.” “Can I ask you a question?” She nodded slowly. “I think I know why you markered in your face. You didn’t want Lexi to recognize you. And I get why you bought up all the other copies of Teen Time. But what I don’t get is why you put

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them in my suitcase. Why you wanted to frame me. What did I ever do to you?” “Nothing!” she said. “Ainsley was in the shower when I got back. I had to shove them somewhere and your suitcase was the first thing I saw. I was going to put them in my suitcase as soon as I had a chance. Honest.” “I believe you,” I said. She leaned forward and tugged on her earlobes. “I used make-up to cover up the freckles on my ears.” She rubbed her lobes. “Look.” A small freckle suddenly appeared smack in Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the middle of each one. Lexi was right! “I’m just sorry you have to leave,” I said. “No one’s leaving,” said a voice from behind us. “I knew what I was getting into.” Aunt Jane walked over to us. “You’re safe here. Like I told your parents, your secret is safe at Storm Cliff Stables.” I jumped up. “You know about CeCe Monroe?”

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“Of course. Layla does too. We need a plan in place so we won’t need to worry about the next six weeks.” “I have an idea,” I said. I crossed my fingers. “You said you’re a good actress, didn’t you?” “The best,” she said. “I’ve won lots of awards.” “Well then . . . act,” I said. “You’ve been Cassidy Clemson here at camp, but besides getting bangs and dyeing your hair, you’re still CeCe.” She frowned. “What do you mean?” “You

only

wanted

your

‘good

side’

photographed. You wanted to pay people to help Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

you do things. You thought we would wait on you and get your bath ready for you.” Then I giggled. “You’ve said things like, ‘No autographs’ and ‘Run! It’s the paparazzi.’ That’s CeCe-themovie-star stuff. Why don’t you act like plain old before-you-were-famous CeCe Monroe?” She slapped her forehead. “You’re a genius, Ryleigh! I created a fake name but was still

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acting the same as I did before I came here.” She covered her face with her hands. “How embarrassing! Think it’s too late to try to act like regular CeCe? Before-I-was-famous CeCe?” “Of course not,” I said. “You’re an actress. Act! Got it?” “Got it,” she said. Aunt Jane folded her arms. “Keeping a secret like this is hard, Ryleigh. Can you do it?” “It’s easy keeping secrets for friends, Aunt Jane. Besides, I’m a team player. Remember? We’re all on the same team. The Storm Cliff Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Stables team!” Aunt Jane grinned as she picked up her clipboard. I thought she was going to scribble some more notes. But she didn’t. She put the clipboard back down and gave me a thumbs-up. “Forget about all your other roles, Cassidy,” I said. “This just might be your most challenging acting role yet.”

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e h t d An . . . s I er n n i W Before dinner, Cassidy tossed some papers onto Ainsley’s bed. “What’s this?” asked Ainsley. She thumbed through the pages. “A skit?” She tossed it back to her. “We have one. We’re performing it tonight. Since you won’t be in it with us, you’ll get to see it up close and personal. Maybe you can sit with Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the Pony Girls to watch it.” Cassidy groaned. She picked up the scripts and read, “The Great S’Mores Debate: A Skit for Four Girls.” Khadija jumped off of the top bunk. “You mean you’ve changed your mind? You’ll be in a skit with us?” Ainsley sat up in her bed. “No way. Really?”

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Then she narrowed her eyes. “Why? Why did you change your mind so fast?” Cassidy slowly swayed her head from side to side. “Well . . . yeah. About that. I’ve been a little bit of a . . .” “Jerk?” asked Ainsley. “Is that the word you’re looking for?” Cassidy frowned. “Maybe a little.” She glanced at me nervously. “The last time I was in a skit was in school this year. I thought it would be easy. I didn’t feel nervous practicing. But on the day we performed it, I got a bad case of butterflies. I Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

started to sweat. I couldn’t remember my lines. My nerves kicked in and I got sick.” Ainsley cocked her head. “Sick like stayhome-from-school sick or sick like throw-up-all -over-the-place kind of sick?” Cassidy grimaced. “I was so nervous that I barfed all over everything and everyone. Including the principal.”

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“No way!” said Ainsley. “Really?” “Way,” said Cassidy. “That’s why I didn’t want to sing or dance here. Or even act. It brings back bad memories. Bad, bad memories.” Khadija and Ainsley believed every word. She almost convinced me that her story really happened! She really was a great actress! “But I’m ready to try again,” she said. “If you guys don’t mind learning a new skit in under two hours.” Ainsley shuddered. “What if you barf all over us? That would be embarrassing.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I won’t,” said Cassidy. “Promise.” Ainsley picked up the script and read through it. She kept laughing out loud. “This is funny!” “Well?” said Cassidy. “Is that a yes?” “The girls will love it!” said Ainsley. “But why do we have to pretend we’re cowgirls? It says in pencil at the top: talk and sing with a country cowgirl accent.”

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Clever! Cassidy knew she had to disguise her voice so no one else would recognize it. She shrugged. “It just sounds way better that way.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot. “So you wanna do it?” “I’m in,” I said. “Me too,” said Khadija as she high-fived her. “Me three,” said Ainsley. “But you better not flake out on us.” Cassidy looked relieved. “Maybe we’ll be such a hit tonight that people will start calling us the Four Horseketeers.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Ainsley looked at her like she had three heads. “By the end of tonight? No. By the end of camp? Who knows. Maybe.” We practiced before and after dinnertime and then headed down to the campfire. Right after we toasted marshmallows, it was our turn to perform. We had a blast! No one forgot their lines and no one threw up or suspected that

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Cassidy was really CeCe Monroe. Everyone was surprised when Cassidy got on stage. But as surprised as they were, it wasn’t the biggest surprise of the night. Aunt Jane’s announcement was. “I’ve made my decision,” she said. “I know which one of you I want to join the staff at Storm Cliff Stables.” Everyone gathered around her. I took a quick peek at Avery and Jaelyn. Jaelyn crossed her fingers, and Avery clasped her hands and started praying. Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

“I told all of you that I wanted another Bree. Someone who was thoughtful. Careful. Fair. Had the ability to know what the animals needed. Gentle.” She let out a little sigh. “And although I left it off the Help Wanted ad, someone here reminded me that what I really wanted . . . what I really needed . . . what I must have is . . . a team player.”

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Lexi shouted out, “And someone who wanted to work with the Pony Girls!” Everyone laughed. “That too,” said Aunt Jane. She raised her hand to quiet everyone down. “Well, I found that girl. She’s like Bree in so many ways. It occurred to me that they also have other important characteristics in common. They’re both loyal. They give others second chances. And they both share the most important quality I can think of. They’re trustworthy.” Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Esha poked Avery. “It’s you, girl!” My heart fluttered. Esha’s right! Then Khadija poked me. “Have confidence in yourself!” She squeezed my hand. “Good luck!” Aunt Jane held up a staff shirt. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome a girl to our staff who’s been a true team player . . . Ryleigh Sommers!”

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Everyone clapped as I rushed up and hugged Aunt Jane. The Pony Girls followed me and chanted, “Ryleigh’s the best! Ryleigh’s the best! Ryleigh’s the best!” Aunt Jane held up her hand again. “It was a tough decision, but Ryleigh stepped up to save my sanity a few times. She pitched in without me asking her to. She gave up quality time with Butterscotch to help out some friends.” Bree and Cassidy! “She proved time and time again that she Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

is a true team player. In fact, I’m sort of a little embarrassed I didn’t put that in the job description.” Avery, Esha, and Jaelyn walked over to me. “You deserve it,” said Jaelyn. “Congratulations. I knew you’d get the job.” “Really?” I said. “I wasn’t so sure.” Avery’s mouth dropped open. “Really? You

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were a shoo-in. When I heard you gave up chances to ride Butterscotch, I knew you were way more dedicated than I’d ever be. I would never give up my time with Sapphire.” Jaelyn hugged me. “You really are a team player.” I started to cry. Then Lexi threw her hands around my waist. “Are you fake crying?” “Nope,” I said. “These are real tears.” I looked over at Ainsley and Khadija. They were exchanging friendship bracelets with Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cassidy. “But if I ever need to learn how to cry on cue, I know exactly who can teach me.”

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Copyright © 2016. ABDO Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

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Hopes in Hiding, ABDO Publishing Company, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,

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Welco Welcome ome back to Storm Cliff Stables! Ainsley, Ainsle ey, Cassidy, Khadija, and Ryleigh—the Ryleigh h—the Four Horseketeers— can’t wa wait ait to start their summer at horse ca camp. Ryleigh Sommers wants to be Bree’s new assistant at Storm Cliff. She’s convinced if she can teach new camper Cassidy to ride her chances of getting the job will improve. But can Ryleigh get Cassidy on a horse? And why would someone come to horse camp who can’t ride?

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