Emily Edwards to the Rescue

Chapter 1

Unexpected News

I gaze through the open car window as my grandmother backs out of Camp Laughing Loon’s nearly empty parking lot. My friends have already left with their families, and the horses are in the stable munching on hay, resting after our show. I wave to Melinda as she and the other counselors and camp staff hurry up the steps into the dining hall, but she doesn’t notice me.

How can camp be over so quickly, yet feel like I’ve been here forever? It’s like the entire summer has been squeezed into a single week. No, more than that. A year. A lifetime.

The car’s engine strains as we make our way up the steep hill. My eyes blur, and I blink several times to clear my vision, hoping my older brother, Jonathan, doesn’t notice my tears. I sweep my fingers across my damp face and up through a tangle of dark brown hair.

My seven-year-old brother, Elijah, nudges my thigh. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I try to hide the quaver in my voice. “I’m just thinking.”

Jonathan snorts. “About your new boyfriend?”

My face heats. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Dad turns around in the passenger seat, a grin plastered across his lined face. “Emily, why didn’t you introduce us to this lucky young man?”

I glare at Jonathan, wondering how he knows about Ash, who is not my boyfriend. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The wimpy-looking blond kid with glasses. You said you needed to say goodbye to someone in private and made us wait in the car. I saw him coming out of the stable a few minutes later.” He puckers his lips. As if anyone would want to kiss Jonathan’s pimply face.

Elijah trills a high-pitched giggle.

My mouth tightens. “I was saying goodbye to Calypso. She’s a horse.”

My horse. The fiery chestnut mare they assigned Ash and me to take care of during the past week. The camp is leasing Calypso from a horse dealer. Ash is convinced she was abused before she arrived at camp, and if she returns there at the end of the summer, there’s a good chance someone will hurt her again. I can’t let that happen.

I’ve worked out a plan, though I admit I still need to figure out a few kinks. One is where to keep her, since my backyard is so small it barely fits Elijah’s swing set, some deck chairs, and Dad’s barbecue grill.

Ash boards his pony at Timber Ridge Equestrian Center, which would be perfect for Calypso. I live an hour away, but the stable is only a few miles from Nana’s house. I’m sure she’d let me stay with her on the weekends.

The problem with keeping Calypso at Timber Ridge is the board costs nine hundred dollars a month. That doesn’t even include farrier or vet visits. Two hundred and sixteen dollars is all I have in my savings account. The stable owner might let me work off part of the board, but how much would someone pay an almost-thirteen-year-old to muck out stalls and do other chores? I doubt it would even come close to covering all the costs.

Elijah is still giggling and poking my leg. “Emily has a boyfriend!”

I swallow back a growl and bury my face in my hands. Starting a fight in Nana’s crowded car will backfire. I need Dad and Nana to be in a good mood when I ask them to help with saving Calypso.

Jonathan stretches, pushing his knees against the back of Nana’s seat.

“Please stop doing that.” Nana sounds tired.

“There’s no room back here,” my five-foot-ten brother complains. “And I’m hungry.”

Great. Good way to annoy Nana and Dad and ruin my chance to rescue Calypso.

Dad sighs. “You’re always hungry.”

“I’m hungry, too,” Elijah whines.

My stomach chooses that moment to emit a loud grumble. Breakfast was hours ago, and I was too nervous about the horse show to eat much.

Dad and Nana exchange glances before she turns from the camp’s dirt drive onto the main road.

I look back at the Camp Laughing Loon sign as we pull away. Maybe lack of food isn’t what’s causing the empty feeling gnawing at my stomach. I miss my friends already.

Dad clears his throat. “We were going to make it a surprise, but since you’re already complaining, Nana is going to treat us to lunch. There’s a place about ten minutes away.” He turns back, glaring at Jonathan. “Do you think you’ll last that long?”

“I guess so,” Jonathan grumbles.

What is my brother so grumpy about? We hardly ever go out to eat.

“Thank you, Nana.” I hope being polite might make up for Jonathan’s rudeness. I’ll need her support to make my plan to rescue Calypso work. Nana’s not wealthy, but she’s a lot better off than Dad has been since he got sick and Mom left. I could only attend Equestrian Adventure because I won a scholarship.

Most of the kids at Camp Laughing Loon have well-to-do families. Ash claims his parents aren’t rich, but they can afford to support his pony, Spots, and pay for clarinet lessons and hire a math tutor and send him to camp. Will Ash’s circumstances change now that his parents are getting divorced? He won’t have to give up Spots, will he?

I catch a brief glimpse of Grasshopper Pond in the distance before the trees obscure my view. I keep staring out the window, but don’t see it again.

• • •

“Here we go.” Nana flips on her car’s left blinker. “Aunt Kathy’s Diner.”

There are only a few cars in the parking lot. I hope this doesn’t mean they serve terrible food. We pull up beside a silver BMW. At least some rich person thinks the food is decent here. Either that, or there’s nowhere else to eat for miles around.

Jonathan opens the door and climbs out of the car, stretching and groaning like he’s been trapped inside for hours. Elijah follows, hugging his stuffed bear against his chest. I pause, studying Dad’s unsteady movements as he tries to release his seat belt. It requires three clumsy attempts. His Multiple Sclerosis symptoms are worsening.

I hurry to slide from my seat so I can help him out of the car.

“I’m all set, Emily.” He eases his legs over the seat to the pavement, leaning heavily on his cane when he stands.

I glance at Nana, who emerges from the car more gracefully. She unzips her purse and rummages through it until she finds her lipstick and mirror. She applies a fresh layer of bright red before blotting her lips with a tissue.

Jonathan and Elijah pace in front of the restaurant. I don’t know if Dad can climb up the three steep steps to the entrance. Thankfully, there’s a ramp running along the side of the small white building.

“Hurry up,” Jonathan grumbles.

I want to yell at him that our father’s going as fast as he can, but I don’t want to embarrass Dad. Instead, I walk beside him as he shuffles across the parking lot. Nana joins us, placing her hand on Dad’s arm, as if he’s the senior citizen, not her.

My father eyes the stairs. He sighs when Nana and I nudge him toward the ramp, but doesn’t object.

The aroma of coffee and a blast of cold air greet us as we enter the restaurant. After a week spent mostly outside in the July heat and humidity, I wish I was wearing my hoodie.

A plump, middle-aged hostess greets us. “Five of you?”

Dad nods.

“Come this way.” She leads us to a booth next to a red-headed girl and her parents.

“Katie?” It’s my best friend from camp.

Katie waves at me with both arms, almost whacking her mother in the face. “Emily! I can’t believe you’re here!”

I grin. We’ve been apart for less than an hour, but seeing her here outside of camp sends a thrill up my spine.

“Can Emily sit with us?” Katie asks.

Her mother’s gaze darts from me to Nana to Dad, before lingering on my brothers. “I’m sure Emily wants to spend time with her family.”

I open my mouth to say that I’ll be spending several hours in the car with them, and I’m sure they won’t mind, when Nana speaks.

“Yes, we’ve missed Emily. We have some catching up to do.” She glances at Jonathan, who crosses his arms over his chest and scowls.

Katie’s father pokes at the three French fries left on his plate before stuffing them into his mouth. He slides his bulky body from the booth and stands, extending his hand toward my father. “I saw you at the kids’ horse show, but I didn’t catch your name. I’m Liam Cameron and this is my wife, Tammy. I think you’ve met our daughter, Katie?”

Dad nods. “I’m Scott.”

Katie and I exchange eye rolls as Dad introduces the rest of my family. Tammy—I wonder if I should call her that or Mrs. Cameron—continues to sit, preventing Katie from leaving the table. The spot across from her is now empty. I’m about to slide into Katie’s booth when Nana touches my sleeve.

“Your brothers are hungry. Let’s sit down and read the menu.”

I reluctantly join them. Why is Nana in such a hurry? Is it because Jonathan is in a bad mood? He’s fourteen, not a toddler.

Dad settles in beside me. “I’m glad you and Katie have become such good friends. I understand she lives just a few minutes’ drive from Nana’s house.”

How does he know that? I only found out today. Katie’s parents must have told Nana or Dad at the horse show.

Elijah positions his teddy bear on the table next to a bottle of ketchup. “Do I have to order from the kid’s menu? I want a bacon cheeseburger and fries like Jonathan.”

To my surprise, Dad agrees.

I scan the menu and wonder if their meatloaf is as good as Nana’s.

When I look up, Katie waves to me. Mr. Cameron—I’ve decided I shouldn’t call him Liam—is halfway to the exit.

Katie glances at her mother before rushing to my table. “Did you tell them about Calypso, yet?”

My eyes widen and I shake my head slightly. Now’s not the time to tell them about my rescue plan. I need to build up to it. Lay the right arguments. Help them see I can be responsible to care for a horse.

Katie apparently gets my hint, because she quickly adds, “Calypso is a really nice camp horse. I’m going to miss her. I’ll text you soon. Bye!”

“So, what’s this about Calypso?” Dad asks as soon as the Camerons are gone.

I chew the inside of my cheek. How should I start? “She’s the horse I rode in the show. I took care of her during the week.”

“She’s very pretty.” Dad closes his menu. “You looked like a pro riding her.”

“Thanks.” Someday I’ll be a professional, but Equestrian Adventure taught me I have a lot to learn before I’ll be an expert. Knowing about riding is different from knowing how to ride. But I can walk and trot. I know how to post. And I’ve even cantered—accidentally—but that still counts. I’ve also fallen off and gotten back on. Greta, the head riding instructor, says that makes me a real rider.

Nana smiles at me. “I suppose you’ll be wanting riding lessons now.”

Does that mean… I try to read Nana’s expression. Is she asking if I want to take riding lessons, or reminding me how expensive they are? Obviously, I want lessons, but I’m sure Nana won’t pay for lessons and boarding Calypso. Better not to say anything, yet.

A server comes to our table with a pitcher of water. “Are you ready to order, or would you like more time to read the menu?”

“I want a bacon cheeseburger with French fries,” Jonathan says. “And root beer.”

“Me, too.” Elijah eyes Dad, as if he’s afraid Dad will change his mind and tell him he needs something from the kid’s menu after all.

After the server takes the rest of our orders—I decide on a bacon cheeseburger with fries, too—Nana and Dad exchange another look. Is the meal too expensive? Maybe I shouldn’t have ordered lemonade. I’m glad I didn’t pick the meatloaf, which costs three dollars more than the burger.

Nana sips her water, leaving a red lipstick smudge on her glass. “I’ve checked into the summer lesson program at Timber Ridge Equestrian Center. They still have a few open spots for group lessons. I’d like to give you an early birthday present.”

I suck in a quick breath. “Nana, I—”

“So, you’re offering bribes?” Jonathan glares across the table at Dad before turning his icy gaze on Nana. “What are you planning to give me? A car?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Dad growls.

“You don’t even know how to drive,” Elijah chimes in. “You’re not old enough.”

“Bribes?” I turn in my seat to face Dad. “What is Jonathan talking about?”

Dad swallows and looks at his lap. “Nana and I have something to tell you.”

The server arrives with Jonathan and Elijah’s root beers and my lemonade. “Here you go, dears.”

Elijah grabs his glass and takes a swig, oblivious to the tension swirling around us.

I stare at Dad, who refuses to look me in the eye. My pulse quickens and a trickle of sweat drips down my back as I consider the reasons Nana might bribe me, as Jonathan claims. Could this be about Mom? She’s been gone for more than a year. Are they going to admit she ran off with another man instead of claiming she’s on a secret mission? Or, what if she is on a secret mission and was hurt in the line of duty?

When Dad says nothing, I switch my focus to Nana. “What do you have to tell us?”

She rubs her temples before answering. “Your father’s Multiple Sclerosis is getting worse.”

I’ve known this for months. He’s not dying, is he? He can’t be. People live for years and years with M.S. But what if…?

Jonathan stomps his foot, sending a tremor through the table. Some of my lemonade slops over the side of the glass.

“They’re making us move!” Jonathan’s face contorts. “Just before I was going to start high school and play soccer on the Junior Varsity team. I’ll have to leave all my friends and start over.”

Elijah clutches his bear. “Where are we going? Will Mom come?”

Dad sighs and shakes his head. “We’re moving into Nana’s house.”

Nana’s house? She lives in the next town over from Katie, and just a few miles from Timber Ridge Equestrian Center. Ash must live nearby, too. And Calypso? Katie, Ash, and I can figure something out together!

I cover my mouth, but it’s impossible to hide my grin.