Nikki Tate

Tara's sister died a year ago, on the day that Tara didn't answer her phone when Hannah called. And Hannah stepped in front of a bus. Now Tara lives with the guilt of wondering if things would be different if she had been there when Hannah needed her most. Competing in slam poetry competitions is the only way Tara can keep her sister's memory alive and deal with all the unanswered questions. But at some point, Tara is going to have to let Hannah rest...

Jessa's twelfth birthday shapes up to be wonderful, riding horses for a week in the Rocky Mountains, until she learns what's been making her feel sick lately: diabetes.

Jessa's work at Dark Creek Stables is made much more difficult by the arrival of two giant and troublesome draft horses, and a blizzard, a surprise visitor, and arguments with her best friend threaten to destroy Jessa's Christmas vacation.