Marion and the Girls' Getaway Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1  Perfect Weekend, Perfect Idea

  Chapter 2  The Secret Plan

  Chapter 3  A Snowy Surprise!

  Chapter 4  Welcome to the Ski Cabin!

  Chapter 5  Whose Tracks?

  Chapter 6  Spa Visit

  Chapter 7  Walking in a Winter Wonderland

  Chapter 8  Snow Worries

  Chapter 9  Taking Care of Ollie

  Chapter 10  Home Is Where the Heart Is

  About the Authors

  Chapter 1

  Perfect Weekend, Perfect Idea

  The fire crackled in the fireplace. Marion Ballard snuggled into her cozy blanket. She turned the last page of the book in her lap. It was the latest in one of her favorite series, Hero Horses. And it was ending just the way Marion had hoped. The stallion carried the injured rider five miles through a storm to safety!

  Marion closed the book with a snap and sighed. This was turning out to be a pretty perfect weekend so far!

  The night before, Marion had a sleepover with Amy, Liz, and Ellie. They were her best friends—and her partners at The Critter Club, an animal rescue shelter they had started in their town of Santa Vista.

  The girls had a sleepover almost every Friday. This one was at Ellie’s house. They had made tacos for dinner—tofu tacos for Liz, who was vegan. They’d watched a movie about a dolphin. Then, this morning, Mr. Mitchell had made waffles for breakfast.

  And tonight was such a cozy evening at home! Marion loved it when her mom made a fire in the fireplace. She loved reading by the warmth. She didn’t even mind playing Go Fish with her little sister, Gabby, ten times! As long as it was by the fire.

  Hmm, thought Marion. What should she do next? She scanned a nearby bookshelf. Should she reread one of the other Hero Horses books?

  Marion’s eyes fell on some big leather-bound albums. Photo albums! Oh, she could look at those for hours. Some of them went way back. They had photos of her mom and dad when they were Marion’s age! Some of the albums had photos of Marion as a baby. And photos of Marion as a toddler. And photos of toddler Marion with baby Gabby.

  But Marion pulled down the newest album. She knew it had photos from the past year. Gabby in her school play. Marion holding Teddy, her class’s pet hamster.

  Marion flipped the page. Here were photos of last year’s ski trip. Marion in her ski helmet. The Ballard family at the top of the mountain. A moose they’d spotted near the ski cabin. It was actually their cousin Lou’s cabin. But he let the Ballards use it at least once a year.

  Suddenly, Marion had an idea. A perfectly fantastic idea. It combined so many of her favorite things: friends, fun, the ski cabin, and wildlife sightings!

  But first, she had to get her mom and dad to agree.

  Chapter 2

  The Secret Plan

  Marion found her parents in the kitchen. Her mom was putting away dinner leftovers. Her dad was making tea.

  “Dad,” Marion said, “have I told you I love your mint tea? You’re a tea master. The best!”

  Mr. Ballard smiled. “I thought you didn’t like tea,” he said to Marion.

  “Oh . . . um . . . when you make it I do!” Marion stammered.

  Mr. Ballard went back to stirring his tea. Marion stood silently, watching him.

  Mrs. Ballard came over. She put her arm around Marion. “Is there something else we can do for you?”

  Marion laughed. They knew she was trying to get on their good side.

  She decided to come right out and say it. “Can I invite Liz, Ellie, and Amy up to the ski cabin?” she asked.

  Marion’s parents looked at each other. Her dad raised his eyebrows. It was his “what do you think?” look.

  Her mom smiled and shrugged. It was her “I don’t see why not” look.

  Before they said a word, Marion started jumping up and down.

  “Oh, thank you, thank you!” Marion cheered. She gave them each a hug.

  “We were already thinking of taking you and Gabby up there next weekend,” Mr. Ballard said. “Lou said yes. So the timing is perfect!”

  Mrs. Ballard warned Marion not to get too excited—yet. “It’s up to the girls’ parents,” she said. “We’ll call them all and talk it over.”

  Mrs. Ballard went to the phone. As she looked up the Purvis’s number, Marion gasped.

  “Mom! Could you ask the parents to keep it a secret? To not tell my friends?”

  Marion was set to host the next sleepover this coming Friday.

  If all went well, that’s when Marion could reveal the big surprise!

  By Tuesday, things were falling into place.

  Mrs. Ballard had called Amy’s mom, Ellie’s parents, and Liz’s dad. They had all said yes, their daughters could go. And they’d agreed to keep the trip a secret!

  Marion was so excited. Being a very organized person, she decided to create a schedule for the weekend. There was lots to do up at the cabin. Did her friends know how to ski? Would they want to learn? She needed to know.

  In school, Marion walked up to Liz at her locker. It was the end of the day. Kids were packing up to go. “Oh, hey, Liz,” said Marion. She tried to sound casual. “Do you know how to ski?”

  Liz’s eyes lit up. “Cross-country skiing?” she replied. “I’ve been a few times.” Liz closed her locker. “Why?”

  “Oh! Um . . . why?” Marion echoed. “No reason. I like skiing too.” She didn’t know what else to say. So she just stopped talking. And smiled a big smile.

  “O-kay,” Liz replied. She gave Marion a suspicious look.

  Ugh, thought Marion. That had not gone well.

  She had to be much sneakier! Otherwise, she was totally going to mess up this surprise.

  Chapter 3

  A Snowy Surprise!

  Marion did a little better with Ellie and Amy.

  Marion asked Amy if she owned any skis. “I’m looking for a pair to borrow,” Marion fibbed. She figured a little lie wouldn’t hurt, since she was about to tell her friends the truth!

  Amy said no. “Sorry. I do have a pair of snowshoes you could borrow. I love snowshoeing.”

  Aha, thought Marion. She’d have to remember that.

  For Ellie, Marion made a quiz. “It’s a How Well Do You Know Your Friend? quiz,” Marion explained. “You tell me how many questions I got right about you.”

  Ellie eagerly started reading it. Marion felt very clever.

  Ellie zipped through the first two questions. They were about Ellie’s favorite color (red, of course) and food (popcorn, correct!).

  But Ellie paused at question three.

  “Favorite snow sport?” Ellie read aloud. “Hmm, weird question. But I guess maybe sledding?”

  By the time Friday came, Marion was so relieved. Secrets were hard work. She wanted to tell her friends everything!

  That evening, at Marion’s house, the girls clearly knew something was up.

  “What’s going on?” Amy asked.

  “Why are you so excited?” Ellie added.

  “Yeah,” said Liz. “And why did you want everyone here before we could come up to your room?”

  Marion was leading the way upstairs. “You’re about to find out.”

  She stopped in front of her closed bedroom door.

  “SURPRISE!” she cried as she threw the door open.

  The girls crowded in the doorway. Marion’s bedroom was a winter wonderland!

  Dozens of hand-cut paper snowflakes dangled from the ceiling.

  A large white fleece bedspread covered Marion’s bed. It looked like a big snowdrift.

  And Marion’s windows were frosted around the edges with fake snow spray.
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  While her friends took it all in, Marion shared her big news. “Tomorrow morning,” she said, “we are all going to a ski cabin.” Marion beamed. “For the whole weekend! There’s no school on Monday. So we get to stay two nights!”

  The girls stared at Marion in stunned silence.

  Then they looked at one another—and started to whoop and cheer!

  “But wait!” Liz said. “I have to ask my parents.”

  “I have to pack!” Ellie said.

  “I don’t have skis!” Amy said.

  Marion sat down on her bed. “No, it’s okay!” she explained. “My mom and dad and I took care of all that.”

  She told them that their parents already knew. They had even packed the girls’ coats and extra clothes.

  “And don’t worry,” Marion said. “The cabin has lots of equipment—extra skis, boots, snowshoes. We’ll have everything we need!”

  Just then, Marion’s cat, Ollie, ran into the room. He jumped onto Marion’s bed. Then he curled up in her lap and began to purr.

  “Yes, Ollie,” Marion said to him. “You’re coming too!”

  Ellie beamed. “Wow, Marion! You really did think of everything.”

  “I am so excited!” Amy added.

  “Me too,” said Liz. “And now I get it. This is why you asked if I know how to ski.”

  Marion burst out laughing. “I’m not good at keeping secrets from you guys!”

  Chapter 4

  Welcome to the Ski Cabin!

  Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep!

  Marion’s alarm clock went off really early the next morning. But the girls were up and dressed in no time. They were all just so excited to get on the road. Mr. Ballard served pancakes. Mrs. Ballard packed up the minivan. Then all the girls piled in.

  “Do we have everyone?” Marion’s mom asked from the driver’s seat. With Marion, Gabby, plus three friends, all the seats were full.

  Ollie let out a mew. He was tucked safely in the cat carrier by Marion’s feet.

  “That’s everyone!” Mr. Ballard said in the front passenger seat. “Off we go.”

  The drive to the cabin was two hours long. But it passed quickly in a blur of fun. Five games of I Spy. Three rounds of the Alphabet Game. Gabby handed out tins of trail mix halfway through.

  The highway climbed into the mountains. The ground became snow covered. The snow got deeper and deeper the higher they went. They took an exit and drove along a twisty country road. Finally, they turned in to a driveway. At the end was a house made of wood and stone. The roof was piled high with snow.

  “Welcome to the cabin!” Marion announced when they pulled up. The girls all climbed out of the van.

  Marion led her friends inside and gave them a tour. First was a large mudroom. There were lots of pegs for hanging coats, cubbies for hats and mittens, and a place for all the boots.

  The living room had comfy couches and a stone fireplace. Marion pointed out the game cabinet. It was packed with board games and decks of cards.

  Down a short hall was a bedroom with three sets of bunk beds. “We call it the bunk room,” Marion said.

  Gabby ran in with her backpack. “I get a top bunk!” she called.

  Last, Marion showed them the equipment room. Just as she’d promised, it was filled with skis, poles, boots, sleds, and snowshoes. There were even bins of extra neck warmers and ski socks.

  “Want to test some of it out?” Marion asked. “We could start on the easy hiking trail in the backyard.”

  The girls agreed excitedly. Amy and Ellie decided to try out some snowshoes. Liz and Marion pulled down cross-country skis.

  They all got bundled up.

  Marion popped into the kitchen to tell her parents their plan. They were kneeling on the floor in front of Ollie’s carrier.

  “Mom, Dad, we’re—” Marion stopped when her parents didn’t look up. “What’s the matter?”

  Mr. Ballard moved a dish of cat food closer to the carrier. “Ollie doesn’t want to come out,” he explained.

  Marion knelt down and peeked in at Ollie. Sure enough, he was curled up way in the back. “Come on, Ollie,” Marion sang to him. “Here, sweet boy.” She patted her lap, beckoning him.

  But Ollie stayed put.

  “Let’s try to be patient,” Marion’s mom suggested. “He’ll come out when he’s hungry.” She stood up and helped Marion up too. “You go outside and have fun with your friends.”

  Mr. Ballard pulled tins of tea and hot cocoa powder out of a shopping bag. “I’ll have some of the best tea ready when you get back,” he said. “And hot cocoa,” he added with a wink.

  Chapter 5

  Whose Tracks?

  “Wait up!” Liz called to the others. “I’m coming.”

  She swung her arms, working hard to make it up a hill on the trail. Marion, Ellie, and Amy waited for her at the top.

  “Sorry,” Liz said, catching her breath. “I stopped to check out the trees back there. I think they’re cedars. There are way more evergreen trees up here than in Santa Vista!”

  The girls stood there a moment, taking in the beautiful snowy scenery. The woods were so peaceful.

  Marion led them as they continued on the trail. Since it made a loop around her cousin’s property, there was no chance of getting lost. And now they weren’t far from where the trail would lead back out into the cabin’s yard.

  Marion looked back at her friends. They were all doing so well! Liz said she felt rusty on skis. But she had only fallen once! And now she was plowing through deep snow, no problem.

  Ellie had never gone snowshoeing before. But Amy had shown her how to put the snowshoes on and shared some tips. Now the two of them were trekking side by side. Crunch, crunch, crunch through the dry snow.

  Amy stopped suddenly. “Look!” she whispered. The girls looked at what she was pointing to.

  There, leading into a bramble, were animal tracks.

  “What do you think made those?” Marion asked.

  Amy pulled her wildlife guide out of her coat pocket. “Let’s see,” she said. She flipped through pages. “Maybe a rabbit!” Amy said. “See the spacing between the sets of prints? Whatever made them was hopping!”

  The girls continued on. They noticed more tracks as they went.

  “So many footprints!” said Marion.

  The girls moved along the trail as quietly as they could. Marion watched for motion on all sides. Every time snow fell off the trees, she jumped a little.

  They saw many more bunny tracks. But no bunnies.

  “I guess they’re pretty good at staying hidden,” Marion said, feeling a twinge of disappointment as they returned to the cabin.

  Chapter 6

  Spa Visit

  Ollie was still in his carrier. The girls sat in a circle nearby, drinking hot cocoa.

  Marion hoped Ollie would be curious enough to come out. But he didn’t. Was it possible the car ride had made him feel funny?

  Marion decided she would check on him again after their next activity.

  Spa time!

  “A spa?” Amy said.

  “Ooh! Are we getting our nails done?” Ellie asked eagerly.

  Marion nodded. “Manicures and pedicures!” She knew Ellie would love it. But Amy and Liz didn’t look so sure. “There are lots of other relaxing things to do there too. Let’s go and I’ll show you.”

  Mrs. Ballard gave the girls a ride in the van. The spa was a few minutes down the country road. A woman at the front desk welcomed them. She handed them a spa menu.

  “There’s a pool?” Amy asked.

  The woman nodded. “A mineral pool. Heated to a perfectly relaxing eighty degrees.”

  “And yoga!” said Liz, looking up from the menu. “I’d love to take a swim and try yoga.”

  Amy nodded. “Me too.”

  “Marion thought you might,” said Mrs. Ballard. She reached into her bag. “So your parents packed these, too.” She handed Amy and Liz their bathing suits and comfy yoga clothes.
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  Amy and Liz looked at Marion in wonder. “Wow, Marion,” Amy said. “I knew you were organized. But—”

  “This is impressive,” Liz said.

  Marion beamed. It made her happy that she knew her friends so well.

  The girls split up. Marion and Ellie went off to the nail salon. They picked their favorite colors of polish. Then they soaked their feet in bubbly tubs.

  Amy and Liz got changed. They slid into the mineral pool. Amy did laps. Liz enjoyed floating and listening to the underwater music. Then they dried off and met the yoga instructor. By the end of their session, they had learned new yoga poses.

  The sun was setting as they rode home. Amy and Liz admired Marion and Ellie’s fancy nails. Ellie and Marion wanted to hear about the pool.

  As soon as they reached the cabin, Marion went straight to Ollie’s carrier. “Ollie, we’re back,” Marion said, looking inside.

  The carrier was empty.

  “Ollie?” Marion called.

  Marion heard a soft mew behind her.

  She turned around. Ollie was under the kitchen table. Marion knelt down and reached out her hand.

  Ollie came over and let Marion pick him up.

  “Oh, Ollie!” Marion cried. She cuddled her cat close. “You’re feeling better?”