“Why not?” said DJ. “It seems only fair. I mean, we shouldn’t exclude anyone, should we? That doesn’t seem very polite, does it, Grandmother?”
“Well . . . no, I suppose it’s not.” Grandmother smiled stiffly and looked around the table. “All right then — let’s make this official. I’d like to extend an invitation to any of you who’d like to join us in Palm Beach for spring break.”
“Really?” Casey looked hopeful.
“Yes. Why not?” Grandmother’s expression got serious now. “Of course, you’ll need to obtain your parents’ permission first. And I’ll expect you to cover your own travel expenses. And to contribute to the cost of food and entertainment while we’re down there. But, DJ is right; it’s only fair to invite everyone along.”
“I think that sounds awesome,” said Casey. “I just hope my parents will let me go.”
“You could tell them that airfare to Florida will probably be cheaper than to California,” DJ told her.
“Good point.”
“Count me in too,” said Taylor. “My mom’s touring the Midwest all month and I’m definitely not into seeing the great-American bread belt.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to go.” Kriti looked uncertain, like she wasn’t sure that she was really wanted.
“Wouldn’t Palm Beach be more fun than being stuck in the city?” DJ asked her. “I’d think your parents would be glad for you to have some fun, Kriti.”
“That’s right,” added Casey. “You’ve been working so hard on keeping your grades up. You need a break.”
“If it would help, maybe Grandmother can talk to your parents for you,” suggested DJ.
“Of course, I’m happy to speak to them.” Grandmother nodded as if this new plan was becoming more appealing. “And to anyone else’s parents, for that matter.”
It suddenly seemed that everyone was talking at once, excitedly planning for bikini shopping and flight booking and parental coaxing, before Grandmother interrupted to remind them that it was time to leave for school.
Then the girls hurried to gather their bags and coats, rushing outside and trying to avoid the rain as they rushed the two cars. This morning Rhiannon and Kriti were riding with Eliza in her little white Porsche. The others went with DJ. But as DJ started her car, it occurred to her that Rhiannon had been unusually quiet at breakfast. In fact, she’d never said a word, one way or the other, about joining them in Palm Beach.
DJ turned to Taylor, who was sitting in the passenger seat. “Do you think something’s wrong with Rhiannon?”
“She did seem pretty quiet,” said Taylor.
“I wonder if she’s worried about money.” Even as she said this, DJ felt pretty sure that was the problem. “She might not be able to afford Palm Beach for spring break.”
“Duh.” This came from Casey in the backseat.
DJ turned around as she backed out of the driveway and looked at Casey. “Okay, I know that’s probably got something to do with it. But maybe that’s not all. Because, now that I think about it, Rhiannon was quiet last night too. Is she okay?”
“I’m not supposed to say anything.” Casey imitated zipping her lips.
“It’s not something about Bradford, is it?” DJ glanced at Taylor. “I mean, he seems totally devoted to her.”
“No, it’s not Bradford,” Casey retorted in a slightly know-it-all tone.
“Is it her mom?” asked Taylor.
Now Casey didn’t say a thing.
“It is, isn’t it?” persisted Taylor.
Still Casey remained silent.
DJ snickered as she drove toward school. “You’re a great one for keeping a secret, Casey. You’ve pretty much divulged it has to do with Rhiannon’s mom. Why not just tell us what’s up? At least that way we can be praying for her.”
“We know her mom’s out of rehab,” continued Taylor. “But has she fallen off the wagon already?”
“Don’t say you heard it from me.”
“So that’s it?” asked DJ. “Her mom’s using again?”
“That’s what Rhiannon thinks. She hasn’t heard from her mom for more than a week now. And they had been in contact almost every day before that.”
“Well, my rehab counselor said that it’s pretty common for a person in recovery to go back to their drug of choice . . . at least once.” Taylor sighed. “It kind of seals the deal.”
“Huh?” DJ was confused.
“It’s like a last painful reminder that you don’t want to go back to your old ways.” Taylor tipped down the visor and touched up her lip gloss in the mirror.
“But you haven’t had a drink yet, have you, Taylor?” Casey asked.
“No way.” Taylor firmly shook her head as she tossed the lip gloss back into her bag. “But that’s probably because I’m actually scared to go back to that place. I’m afraid that if I drink again, even if it’s just once . . . well, that it’ll be all over with and that I’ll never get sober again.”
“I suppose that’s a healthy fear,” admitted DJ. “But you’re a strong person, Taylor. I’ll bet you’d get it back together . . . even if you did slip up.”
“Maybe . . . But I just don’t want to go there.” Taylor was counting something on her fingers now. “Do you realize that I’m almost up to seventy-five days of sobriety now?”
“Congratulations!” DJ smiled at her. “We should throw you a party.”
“No, thanks. I’ll pass.”
“Back to Rhiannon,” said Casey. “What should we do?”
“I don’t know what we can do.” DJ pulled into the school parking lot, snagging a spot not too far from the main entrance. “Well, besides praying and being understanding.”
“I know something we can do,” said Taylor as they got out of the car. “We can all help get some money together for Rhiannon to go to Palm Beach with us. That might help distract her from her mom’s messes.”
“Yeah, she could focus on our messes instead,” teased Casey.
“Actually, that’s a great idea,” said DJ as they hurried across the street. “I’m willing to contribute whatever I can for her.”
“I wish I could help too,” said Casey. “But I’ll be doing well if I can get my parents to agree to pay my way.”
Just then Taylor pointed to where Eliza and the others were going into the building ahead of them. “Maybe we can get Ms. Eliza Wilton to pitch in for Rhiannon. We all know she can afford it.”
“We know she can afford it,” said DJ. “But the big question is will she willingly fork it over?”
Taylor chuckled like she knew a secret. “Oh, I think we might be able to come up with some ways to influence her.”
“But what if Rhiannon won’t accept charity?” asked Casey as they jogged up the steps to the door. “She can be pretty sensitive about that kind of thing.”
“Somehow we’ll figure it out,” DJ assured them. “Somehow all of the Carter House girls are going to make it to Palm Beach for spring break.” Of course, even as she said this, she had some serious doubts. Was it really a good idea for all of them to be down in Florida together? What if things got out of hand? Even worse, what if Taylor fell off the wagon? Suddenly DJ envisioned the Carter House girls starring in a bad episode of Girls Gone Wild, with her grandmother having a major meltdown and everything just falling totally apart. But then she realized how ridiculous that image was and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Casey shook the rain off of her jacket.
“I was just imagining spring break turning into spring breakdown.” DJ chuckled.
“And what would be surprising about that?” asked Taylor.
As DJ hurried to first class, she had to wonder . . . what would be so surprising about that?
Carter House Girls Series
from Melody Carlson
Mix six teenage girls and one ‘60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high school angst, and throw in a K
ate Spade bag or two .. . and you’ve got the Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson’s new chick lit series for young adults!
Mixed Bags
Book One
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71488-0
Stealing Bradford
Book Two
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71489-7
Homecoming Queen
Book Three
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71490-3
Viva Vermont!
Book Four
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71491-0
Lost in Las Vegas
Book Five
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71492-7
New York Debut
Book Six
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71493-4
Books 7–8 coming soon!
A Sweet Seasons Novel
from Debbie Viguié!
They’re fun! They’re quirky! They’re Sweet Seasons—unlike any other books you’ve ever read. You could call them alternative, God-honoring chick lit. Join Candy Thompson on a sweet, lighthearted, and honest romp through the friendships, romances, family, school, faith, and values that make a girl’s life as full as it can be.
The Summer of
Cotton Candy
Book One
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71558-0
The Fall of Candy Corn
Book Two
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71559-7
The Winter of
Candy Canes
Book Three
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71752-2
The Spring of
Candy Apples
Book Four
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71753-9
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
Forbidden Doors
A Four-Volume Series from
Bestselling Author Bill Myers!
Some doors are better left unopened.
Join teenager Rebecca “Becka” Williams, her brother Scott, and her friend Ryan Riordan as they head for mind-bending clashes between the forces of darkness and the kingdom of God.
Dark Power Collection
Volume One
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71534-4
Contains books 1–3: The Society,
The Deceived, and The Spell
Invisible Terror Collection
Volume Two
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71535-1
Contains books 4–6: The Haunting,
The Guardian, and The Encounter
Deadly Loyalty Collection
Volume Three
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71536-8
Contains books 7–9: The Curse,
The Undead, and The Scream
Ancient Forces Collection
Volume Four
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71537-5
Contains books 10–12: The Ancients,
The Wiccan, and The Cards
Echoes from the Edge
A New Trilogy from
Bestselling Author Bryan Davis!
This fast-paced adventure fantasy trilogy starts with murder and leads teenagers Nathan and Kelly out of their once-familiar world as they struggle to find answers to the tragedy. A mysterious mirror with phantom images, a camera that takes pictures of things they can’t see, and a violin that unlocks unrecognizable voices … each enigma takes the teens farther into an alternate universe where nothing is as it seems.
Beyond the
Reflection’s Edge
Book One
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71554-2
Eternity’s Edge
Book Two
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71555-9
Nightmare’s Edge
Book Three
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71556-6
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
The Shadowside Trilogy
by Robert Elmer!
Those who live in lush comfort on the bright side of the small planet Corista have plundered the water resources of Shadowside for centuries, ignoring the existence of Shadowside’s inhabitants, who are nothing more than animals. Or so the Brightsiders have been taught. It will take a special young woman to expose the truth—and to help avert the war that is sure to follow—in the exciting Shadowside Trilogy, the latest sci-fi adventure from Robert Elmer.
Trion Rising
Book One
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71421-7
The Owling
Book Two
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71422-4
Beyond Corista
Book Three
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71423-1
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
The Rayne Tour
by Brandilyn Collins and
Amberly Collins!
A suspenseful two-book series for young adults written by bestselling author, Brandilyn Collins and her daughter, Amberly. The story is about the daughter of a rock star, life on the road, and her search for her real father.
Always Watching
Book One
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71539-9
This daughter of a rock star has it all — until murder crashes her world. During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens’ death connected to her? Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this? As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom’s killer — before he strikes again.
Available now!
Last Breath
Book Two
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-310-71540-5
With his last breath a dying man whispered four stunning words into Shaley O’Connor’s ear. Should she believe them? After two murders on the Rayne concert tour, Shaley is reeling. But she has no time to rest. If the dying man’s claim is right, the danger is far from over.
Coming October 2009!
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Visit www.zondervan.com/teen
About the Publisher
Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, new media products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children’s products. The world’s largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass erchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.
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bsp; Melody Carlson, New York Debut
New York Debut Page 18
