A Hourse to Love by Marsha Hubler Page B

started to cry. Will I ever see him again?
    Lowering her head between her knees, Skye sobbed until her nose ran freely.
    “I told you I’d find you, no matter what!” a familiar voice announced from behind.
    Skye jumped as though prodded with a hot iron.
    She wiped her face, returned her arms around her knees, and then stared at the field once again. She should have known the bloodhound would find her.
    “Skye Nicholson, when are you going to stop banging your head against a wal ?” Mrs. Chambers asked as she sat down and copied Skye’s pose.
    “How did you find me so soon?” Skye said.
    “Contacts in high places, my dear,” Mrs.
    Chambers said sternly. “Are you coming back with me wil ingly, or do I need to cal the police?” Skye lowered her head, resting it on her knees.
    “I take it that means you’l come peaceful y.
    Good.”Mrs. Chambers’ voice relaxed as she handed Skye a wad of tissues. “Honey, you real y did it this time. You’l be facing some tough consequences. I only hope the Gilberts don’t press charges. As angry as they are, I’d be prepared for it. If that happens we won’t be able to keep you out of Chesterfield.” Mrs. Chambers gently placed her hand on Skye’s shoulder, waiting for a reply.
    Skye shrugged off Mrs. Chambers’ hand and tightened her pose. “Miss High and Mighty deserved what she got.” She blew her nose in the tissues and

    threw the shriveled-up bal against the dumpster.
    “You’re doing it again, Skye. You’re blaming other people for your unacceptable behavior.”
    “Wel — she just makes me so mad!”
    “One of the reasons you’re with us is to learn how to control that anger. When wil you learn that your temper causes you nothing but trouble and heartache?”
    Skye didn’t answer.
    “Here’s what we need to do,” Mrs. Chambers said.
    “We’l go back to my office. I have phone cal s to make, including the Gilberts and Mr. Bubbosco. And I want you to do some serious thinking about what you did. Every day next week we’re going to zero in on your temper. By next Friday you should be ready to bring yourself up.”
    “Bring myself up? No way! I won’t do that. Ever !”
    “The only way we’re going to keep you out of Chesterfield is to show the school and the judge that we’re making progress. Consider your options.
    They’re pretty limited right now.”
    A picture of Champ romping in the pasture ran through Skye’s mind. She remained silent for a long time.
    “Wel ?”
    “Al right, I’l try,” Skye grumbled.
    “That’s al I ask,” Mrs. Chambers said.
    “How about doing some homework together?” Morgan asked as she motored into Skye’s bedroom.
    Skye, assuming her usual pose on the bed, did not answer.
    “Earth to Skye!” Morgan glanced at the desk heaped with books. “Let’s do some homework. You might have been expel ed, but you stil have to meet with that tutor at Maranatha every day, don’t you?”
    “Don’t go bal istic on me, Morgan!” Skye protested.“I might as wel be locked up in that closet for the next few weeks. I didn’t think I’d get the death penalty for such a stupid thing as punching Hannah’s lights out.”
    “Yeah, but you’re lucky the Gilberts decided not to press charges. And you better obey that restraining order the judge issued. As long as you and Hannah don’t cross paths you should be okay.”
    “Okay? You say okay when my life is ruined? No school, no friends. And on top of that, no game room, no phone, and no Champ for two whole weeks in this prison. I can’t even walk down to the barn to look at him! Take me out and shoot me!”
    “Skye, I told you to be careful. Mr. and Mrs. C.
    aren’t people you mess with,” Morgan said, flipping back her long red hair. “I had to learn the hard way too. What restrictions do you have?”
    “Only child abuse to the n th degree. That’s al .” Skye tightened her folded arms and crossed her legs with a snap. “Extra cleaning jobs, double-duty weed