Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch by Emma Cane

of them.”
    â€œHave you talked to Mrs. Jorgansen? Being your science teacher, she might have more ideas.”
    â€œShe’s the one who gave me the ideas I don’t like. I think she’s getting sick of me. Or sick of teaching. She’s pretty old.”
    Amused, Lyndsay leaned back in her chair. “No one can get sick of you, Matias.” And ­people could get sick of teaching at any age.
    He hung his head. “That’s nice, Ms. De Luca, but . . . I don’t get science, I never have. And it’s just getting worse and worse. Next year in high school . . .”
    He trailed off, obviously miserable months before he had to be. He’d told her earlier in the school year that he didn’t get math either, but she’d proven him wrong over time. Somehow in his young life, the kid had gotten the idea to just assume he wouldn’t be good at learning every new thing that came along.
    â€œOkay, you’ve got to stop anticipating the worst. You’ll have new teachers at Basalt, and I bet you’ll find some part of science interesting. We’ll start with the science project. Why don’t you tell me some of the ideas Mrs. Jorgansen helped you find, and then what you did on each project.”
    After about ten minutes, Lyndsay realized that Matias was waiting for something to really strike him, something he could put his whole heart into. She empathized with him. Weren’t they all waiting for just the right thing to come along?
    â€œProblem is, Matias,” she said as she leaned away from her computer, “you just can’t hope for the perfect thing. You’ve got to give one of these a chance. Doesn’t anything look interesting?”
    â€œI don’t know. I do like stuff about food. I probably like to eat too much,” he said, his blush obvious.
    â€œOkay, food. Didn’t we see a project about the sense of taste? That has to do with food.”
    His dark eyes brightened. “Yeah, that’s right. It said ­people taste things differently if they’re smelling something else at the same time. So I could get ­people to taste food?”
    â€œAnd record the results in a chart. You could see if different smells inhibit taste more than others, you know?”
    â€œOh, yeah, cool. Okay, I’ll start making food lists. Can I come back for more help if I need?”
    â€œOf course you can,” she said. Assuming they were done, she pulled out homework to begin grading.
    â€œOh, Ms. De Luca, did you know that my uncle broke his leg? He won’t be able to be the project leader for the 4-­H horse unit.”
    Lyndsay frowned. “No, I hadn’t heard.”
    Matias ducked his head. “I know he meant to call, since you’re our school advisor and all. But they had to operate and everything.”
    â€œWow, sounds very complicated. Did everything go well?”
    â€œYeah, they had to put pins in to hold it together, and it’ll be a while before he’s on a horse again, but his boss promises to find other things he can do on the Circle F until he’s well.”
    â€œThat’s kind of Mr. Osborne.”
    â€œBut now we need a new leader. Our parents are askin’ around. Do you know anyone who might help?”
    â€œI know several cowboys. I’ll put the word out. But remember, right now, your science project is more important.”
    â€œYes, ma’am!”

 
    Chapter 6
    T uesday night, Lyndsay was in her kitchen preparing a big salad when she heard her front door open.
    â€œIt’s us!” Kate called. “Something smells good!”
    â€œSpaghetti and meatballs,” Lyndsay said, drying off her hands as she went into the living room. “Mom’s meatballs.” She had her mom’s recipe box, and she loved looking at all the handwritten notes.
    â€œOf course!” Kate carried flowers, and Lyndsay sniffed appreciatively.
    Tony followed her