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years old and in the seventh grade. I’ve always wanted to know where you and Mom are. Just lately, I was given this address.
    I live with two nice foster parents, Tom and Eileen Chambers, at Keystone Stables in central PA, a special-needs ranch and foster home. I have one foster sister, Morgan Hendricks. But right now we are near Charleston, SC, volunteering our time at another special-needs ranch. We brought four horses with us, and we are teaching the campers how to ride. My horse is a sorrel Quarter Horse. His name is Champ, and he’s the most beautiful animal in the whole wide world.
    I really want to get to know you. Please write me using the address on the envelope. We’ll be here for twelve more days.
    Your daughter Skye
    Dear Mr. Hamlock,
    I am Skye Nicholson, Jacy Nicholson’s daughter and the niece of Millie Eister. She had written you letters for a while about ten years ago.
    I am thirteen years old and am in foster care. I’ve always wanted to know where my parents are. Just lately, I found out that my father might be in the Brentwood prison. I have written him a letter and hope that he will write me back.
    If my father is not there, Millie said you might be the only person who can help me find him. I really want to get to know him. I’m also searching for my mother.
    If you know anything about either of them, will you please write and tell me what you know? I would be very grateful.
    Millie told me that she is going to write to you too. I hope you write back. She’s a nice lady.
    Yours truly,
Skye Nicholson
    From the time Skye mailed those important letters, she started to get up fifteen minutes earlier so she had time to check the Chambers’ mailbox at the office for a letter from her dad or Charlie Hamlock.
    On Thursday, Skye held an envelope addressed to Jacy Nicholson with the words RETURN TO SENDER stamped on the front, and her heart dropped like a rock to the bottom of her feet.
    “Another stone wall,” Skye said to Morgan back at the cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers had already left for breakfast. Morgan was sitting at the cabin window, just staring. She didn’t answer Skye.
    “Morgan, what’s the matter? You’ve just not been yourself lately.”
    “I already told you,” Morgan said. “It’s the same old thing. I want us to be friends forever.”
    “There’s more to it than that,” Skye said. “C’mon, tell me what’s bugging you.”
    Morgan sniffled, then she forced out a stingy smile. “If you find them, do you want to go and live with them?” Suddenly, Morgan’s eyes released a flood of tears that ran freely down her fiery red face.
    “What?” Skye said. “C’mon, spill the beans, Morgan. What’s bugging you?”
    Morgan took a few deep, choppy breaths. Again, she wiped her cheeks. In all the time she had known Morgan, Skye had never seen her so upset.
    “M-maybe I’m just being selfish,” Morgan gasped, “but I’m going bonkers worrying that you’re going to leave. You and Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are my family now. I don’t want anything to spoil that. If you leave, nothing will ever be the same again at Keystone Stables.”
    In disbelief, Skye stared while Morgan just sobbed and sobbed. Without warning, tears burned in Skye’s eyes, too, and her face flushed as she tried to figure out what to say to her very best friend.
    “Morgan—”
    “Oh, this is so stupid,” Morgan cried. “I’m sorry, but I had to get this out. It’s been bottled up inside me ever since we met Millie.”
    “No—no, that’s okay.” Skye took a deep breath. “Best friends tell all, and we’re best friends. I want to know how you feel.”
    Morgan released a long, slow sigh. “Oh, Skye, I’m just afraid of losing my—my best friend.”
    “Morgan, you’re never going to lose me as your best friend, no matter where I am.”
    “What does that mean?” Morgan’s eyebrows peaked.
    “It doesn’t mean anything,” Skye said. “I just want to find out where my parents are, that’s