Chapter 1
Darlene sat on her suitcase to force it closed and snapped the buckles shut. Her friend, Tamera, was sitting on the edge of her bed, telling her about the ranch at which they were supposed to be spending their summer vacation. Personally, Darlene had no interest in going out to a farm. It would be hot, smell like s**t, and be generally boring all around. Tamera had coaxed her, saying that her stepfather had this hot farmhand named John; that they were only about ten miles away from the nearest city and could go visit any time they wanted. She insisted that it was beautiful out there. Darlene would have been alone most of the summer anyway—her mom was on an extended trip to Europe for business. She gave in to Tamera, deciding that it would be better than sitting in the house alo
