Free Whiteout by Becky Citra

miss April, Robin knew that for sure. But in some ways, she was looking forward to life getting back to normal. Mom had brought back goodreports from Vancouver about Aunty Liz and had assured both Robin and April that none of it was their fault. Her exact words had been, “Nonsense! My sister has always had a mind of her own, and she had made up her mind to come to the ranch for Christmas!”
    Molly hopped around the castle. “Can I keep it?”
    Robin looked at April and Kim. They nodded. “Sure. Until it melts,” said Robin.
    She hugged her arms to her chest. It was getting cold. The slush had soaked her mittens, and her fingers were freezing. Kim was staying for dinner, and then Robin planned to dive into a new book about training colts that her mother had brought back from Vancouver. She wanted to be ready in the spring for Kedar.
    Maybe in the summer Stephanie and April could both come up to the ranch. They could ride the horses and—Robin grinned. She liked making plans.
    Mom stuck her head out the kitchen door. “Anybody on the work crew need a hot-chocolate break?”
    “Before dinner ?” said Molly ecstatically.
    “Ummm...why not?”
    “Marshmallows?” said Molly.
    “Don’t push your luck,” said Dad. “Mom is still Mom.”
    “Come on, Mol,” said April. “Race you in!”
    Robin lingered behind. Someone turned on the Christmas lights and their tiny reflections winked in the walls of the ice castle. She loved Christmas lights. Someone should invent spring lights and summer lights and fall lights.
    The door opened. It was Molly. “Robin, everyone’s going to play Madeline. Madeline ! Hurry!”
    Robin took one last look at the glittering castle. It was perfect for as long as it lasted.

Acknowledgments
    I would like to thank my editor, Sarah Harvey, for her amazing attention to detail and her ability to get at the heart of my stories. I would also like to thank my sister, Janet, for her invaluable insight and suggestions.