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    Stealing Bradford
    Stealing Bradford
    Stealing Bradford
    Ebook235 pages3 hours

    Stealing Bradford

    By Melody Carlson

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    The Carter House girls are just getting to know one another when the subject of boys comes up. Rhiannon’s dating Bradford, the most popular jock in school, Eliza’s seeing Harry, and even DJ has dated Conner, although now he acts as if he doesn’t like her. Boys aren’t always easy to understand, but every girl in the house wants a boyfriend—and will do just about anything to get one. So when Taylor decides to put the moves on Bradford, Rhiannon is shocked and hurt. Mistakes are made and feelings battered … there is forgiveness for some and bitterness for others … but at the end of the day, the girls learn a valuable lesson about what it means to be a family.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherZondervan
    Release dateAug 30, 2009
    ISBN9780310856580
    Author

    Melody Carlson

    Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. "I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction," she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.

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    Reviews for Stealing Bradford

    3.5/5

    23 ratings3 reviews

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    • 4/5
      "This book follows directly behind the first (Mized Bags) book. It is literally like you hit pause from the first one and pick up in this one which is really nice. DJ is still trying to adjust to her new life and new ""friends"". She has many battles and struggles she faces and to top it all off things are about to get a whole lot worse. It can be difficult in school and even in life to know who to trust and who not to. It can also be difficult when people you want to be friends with are divided and pulling you in opposite directions. How do you know what to do? Well in this book DJ doesn't exactly handle things perfectly which makes her character that much more relatable. What is nice is that she is trying and is weighing her options. Her thinking about it and what to do doesn't help to stop some events in time but she ends up doing some good.

      This one is better than the first one because it seems to flow a lot more nicely. DJ isn't as flaky and the characters are really starting to define themselves. This series seems to be an awesome one that can teach young teenagers and young women alike about how to better handle situations. The fact that it is christian based is more of a side note in this one which also made me like it more."
    • 4/5
      "This book follows directly behind the first (Mized Bags) book. It is literally like you hit pause from the first one and pick up in this one which is really nice. DJ is still trying to adjust to her new life and new ""friends"". She has many battles and struggles she faces and to top it all off things are about to get a whole lot worse. It can be difficult in school and even in life to know who to trust and who not to. It can also be difficult when people you want to be friends with are divided and pulling you in opposite directions. How do you know what to do? Well in this book DJ doesn't exactly handle things perfectly which makes her character that much more relatable. What is nice is that she is trying and is weighing her options. Her thinking about it and what to do doesn't help to stop some events in time but she ends up doing some good.

      This one is better than the first one because it seems to flow a lot more nicely. DJ isn't as flaky and the characters are really starting to define themselves. This series seems to be an awesome one that can teach young teenagers and young women alike about how to better handle situations. The fact that it is christian based is more of a side note in this one which also made me like it more."
    • 4/5
      This book follows right behind Mixed Bags. It starts right where the first one left off. Although this is only the second in the Carter House Girls Series, I think they are all going to be great. I think they are just write for an older teen or YA. There are several life lessons that keep popping up. It seems very true to life, the struggles a young lady would have with not only peer pressure but finding her way into the adult world and living her new found Christian faith. Loved the book. I think any teen could find one of six main characters they could relate to.

    Book preview

    Stealing Bradford - Melody Carlson

    OTHER BOOKS BY MELODY CARLSON:

    Carter House Girls series

    Mixed Bags (Book One)

    Girls of 622 Harbor View series

    Project: Girl Power (Book One)

    Project: Mystery Bus (Book Two)

    Project: Rescue Chelsea (Book Three)

    Project: Take Charge (Book Four)

    Project: Raising Faith (Book Five)

    Project: Run Away (Book Six)

    Books for Teens

    The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor Series

    Diary of a Teenage Girl Series

    TrueColors Series

    Notes from a Spinning Planet Series

    Degrees Series

    Piercing Proverbs

    By Design Series

    Women’s Fiction

    These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking

    On This Day

    An Irish Christmas

    The Christmas Bus

    Crystal Lies

    Finding Alice

    Three Days

    Grace Chapel Inn Series including

    Hidden History

    Ready to Wed

    Back Home Again

    ZONDERVAN

    Stealing Bradford

    Copyright © 2008 by Melody Carlson

    All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Zondervan.

    ePub Edition June 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-85658-0

    Requests for information should be addressed to:

    Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

    Carlson, Melody.

    Stealing bradford / by Melody Carlson.

         p. cm.—(Carter House girls; bk. 2)

    Summary: DJ’s efforts to make sense of Christianity, prayer, and the Bible only seem to make it harder for her to deal with the inability of the girls in her grandmother’s boardinghouse to get along, especially after Taylor begins flirting with Rhiannon’s boyfriend.

    ISBN 978-0-310-71489-7 (softcover)

    [1. Christian life—Fiction 2. Interpersonal relations—Fiction.

    3. Boardinghouses—Fiction. 4. Grandmothers—Fiction 5. High schools—Fiction

    6. Schools—Fiction 7. Conduct of life—Fiction 8. Connecticut—Fiction] I. Title.

    PZ7.C216637Ste 2008

    [Fic]—dc22

    2008001421

    Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

    Interior design by Christine Orejuela-Winkelman

    CONTENTS

    Title Page

    Copyright Page

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 8

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 10

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 16

    Chapter 17

    Chapter 18

    epilogue

    About the Publisher

    Share Your Thoughts

    1

    "I’M SORRY, BUT MY CAR’S just not big enough for all the girls," announced Eliza as they were finishing breakfast. She pushed a glossy strand of blonde hair away from her face and then took a slow sip of coffee. As usual, Eliza was stylishly dressed, her hair and makeup absolutely perfect, and she looked ready to make her big debut at Crescent Cove High today.

    And I’ve already reserved my ride with Eliza, said Taylor a bit too smugly. She too was perfection—at least on the surface. But DJ was well aware that looks can be deceiving.

    Eliza smiled at DJ now. And I told Kriti she could ride with me too…which only leaves room for one more. Eliza and DJ hadn’t really spoken since last night when they’d made their splashy entrance into Harry’s beach-house party together. A few hours and a lifetime later, DJ had left the party and driven all the girls (except Taylor and Eliza who weren’t ready to go) back to the Carter House in her grandmother’s car. They barely made it home before curfew, and DJ felt certain that the party-hardy girls, Taylor and Eliza, got back quite a bit later than that. Although, as far as DJ knew, Mrs. Carter hadn’t said a word.

    Naturally, this double standard aggravated DJ. Not that it was unexpected since her grandmother clearly favored those two, but it did seem a bad omen for the year ahead. Still, DJ was determined not to complain. Because today was not only the first day of school, it was also the first day following DJ’s amazing life-changing episode on the beach last night. And she didn’t want to blow it by getting mad.

    School’s not that far away, pointed out Rhiannon. I don’t mind walking. That’s how I used to get there.

    DJ had walked to school last year as well. And she wouldn’t mind walking today, except that she had on a new pair of Michael Kors shoes—ones that Eliza had coaxed her to buy, telling her they would be perfect for the first day of school. Now DJ wondered if she should run upstairs and change them. Maybe she should change her whole outfit and go back to her old style of casual grunge sportswear. Although she knew that would upset her grandmother, not to mention Eliza.

    I will drive the other girls to school today, proclaimed Mrs. Carter with a loud sigh. DJ could tell that her grandmother was not pleased with this setup. Still, wasn’t this her own fault for boarding this many girls? She should’ve considered there might be transportation problems down the line.

    Eliza smiled at DJ now. So, do you want to ride with us then?

    DJ glanced over at Casey and Rhiannon. These two still looked like the Carter House misfits, although at least Rhiannon was trying. Casey, on the other hand, could clearly not care less. DJ briefly considered abandoning them to ride with Eliza—in the cool car. And maybe she would’ve done just that yesterday. But today things were different. She was different. And so she simply shook her head. No, that’s okay, Eliza. I can ride with my grandmother today.

    Eliza frowned. Are you sure?

    Yeah, but thanks anyway. DJ could tell that Eliza was not happy about her choice. And she suspected that Eliza had hoped to make a flashy entrance this morning, probably with Taylor on one side and DJ on the other—maybe with Kriti trailing slightly behind them like a handmaid. And, of course, Eliza probably hoped that Rhiannon and Casey, who did not measure up to her fastidious fashion standards, would lag somewhere far, far behind.

    Well, I’m going up to put on my finishing touches, said Eliza lightly. And then I’ll be ready. As if on cue, the breakfast table began to vacate. And before long, they were all on their way to school. The sporty white Porsche, with its three fashionable girls, drove about a block ahead, while Mrs. Carter’s more sensible silver Mercedes followed discretely behind.

    Rhiannon and Casey sat silently in the backseat, and DJ sat next to her grandmother, wondering what school would be like this year. Feeling nervous, she fidgeted with the handle of her Hermès bag. Of course, this only reminded her of that embarrassing moment at the beach when Taylor had used the contents in the purse to humiliate her. Still, it seemed that DJ and Conner had made it past that. It seemed that he had really liked her. And she knew she liked him. They’d even gone out since then. And after that, it seemed that their relationship had begun to unravel.

    Still, she couldn’t put her finger on what had gone wrong between them last night. Maybe she would never know. On one hand, she told herself that it might be for the best. After all, she had just invited Jesus into her heart. Perhaps that was what she needed to focus on for the time being. And yet, she couldn’t deny that she still really liked Conner. And she still wanted him to like her. She tried to block the disturbing image of him and Taylor dancing together last night. Or Taylor’s superior expression this morning. Like she’d won. And she reminded herself that Conner had kissed her—before he’d said what sounded like a final good-bye. None of it made much sense. And thinking about it just frustrated her more.

    DJ suddenly remembered what Rhiannon had told her before they’d gone to bed last night. If you’re stressing about something, just pray. There’s actually a verse in the Bible that says to do this.

    Well, DJ wasn’t sure she really knew how to pray, but she was definitely stressing over Conner. And for that reason, as Mrs. Carter turned down the road to the school, DJ made a feeble attempt to pray. Naturally, she did this silently. No way was she going to start praying out loud with her critical grandmother and Casey, the rebel girl, listening in. She said the words silently inside her head. She just hoped that God could hear her, and that he was listening. And, by the time Mrs. Carter pulled in front of the school, DJ felt amazingly calm. Maybe this prayer thing really did work.

    Will you pick us up afterward? asked DJ.

    Her grandmother nodded. At three?

    That’s about right, said DJ. Although I have volleyball after school. And Kriti said she might try out too. In that case, everyone would fit in Eliza’s car.

    Wouldn’t that be delightful?! Mrs. Carter seemed relieved now, and DJ suspected she was calculating how much afternoon naptime she was willing to sacrifice for the sake of the girls. How about if you give me a call when you know for sure, Desiree?

    Okay.

    Mrs. Carter smiled and waved. Have a nice day, girls.

    Rhiannon politely thanked her, and DJ grabbed her gym bag and waved, but Casey just grunted as if this prospect of having a good day was highly unlikely.

    Unfortunately, that would probably be the case with Casey. Going to Crescent Cove High dressed like Goth Girl meets Punk Rocker might not go over too well. Just this morning, DJ had tried to warn Casey of this, but the stubborn girl was not ready to listen to anyone. Still, it seemed a little unfair that DJ and Rhiannon were stuck walking into the building with Casey. It was her choice to stand out like a loser, but why did she have to subject them to it as well? Then, when DJ imagined what the three of them must look like together, she almost laughed. Almost. She just hoped, as they headed for the school’s entrance, that others would have as much self-control. What a whacky threesome.

    DJ, thanks to her grandmother’s and Eliza’s fashion intervention, looked fairly stylish. Although, according to Casey, DJ had simply been transformed into an Eliza clone. Casey, in total contrast, with her safety-pin-pierced brows and skull T-shirt and black lace-up boots, looked freaky weird. This was aside from the fact that her hair—cut in a short Mohawk and dyed jet black with an electric-blue stripe down the middle—was a real show stopper. Then there was Rhiannon, who DJ thought actually looked sort of cool in her own unique design of recycled retro clothes and funky-junky jewelry. Unfortunately this was also a style that some of the snobby mean girls would be glad to take turns slamming. Yes, they were making quite an entrance.

    Hey, DJ, called Eliza from behind them.

    DJ paused at the top of the steps and then turned to see Eliza, Taylor, and Kriti crossing the street from the student parking lot and casually strolling toward them. DJ waved and waited, but Casey just kept on walking into the school as if she was resolved to get this over with ASAP—not unlike a convicted murderer on her way to the electric chair. DJ actually called out, but Casey just kept on going, didn’t even look back. Whatever.

    Here we go, girls, said Eliza with a smile. Are we ready?

    DJ could feel them being watched as they entered the school. Even so, she held her head up high. Okay, maybe she was imitating Eliza now, but if it worked, what difference did it make? All DJ knew was that she didn’t want to take the same abuse she’d suffered last spring.

    Where’s the security? asked Taylor.

    What? said Rhiannon.

    You know, X-ray machines, gates, uniforms…What’s the deal?

    We don’t have them, said DJ.

    We’re such a small town, explained Rhiannon. I guess they don’t think we need all that.

    That’s one thing I won’t miss, said Taylor as they continued down the hallway.

    I’m supposed to pick up my registration packet in the office, said Eliza. Where is that?

    Right this way, said DJ. I have to pick up mine too.

    As it turned out, they had all registered online, so they all needed to go to the office. Several of the kids from last night’s party greeted the girls and, as they continued to the office, DJ began to relax a little. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all. She tried not to worry about Casey, although she did feel concerned. But perhaps this was just something Casey needed to work through on her own—like a rite of passage. Not that DJ would wish that on anyone.

    At the office, Mrs. Seibert, the counselor, welcomed them. Apparently she’d already heard about the Carter House girls and seemed curious as to how it was going. DJ gave her a quick summary, trying to play down the circus element of their living arrangements, and Mrs. Seibert handed them their registration packets. We’re a little short on lockers again this year. Do you girls mind doubling up?

    Not at all, said Eliza. She turned quickly to DJ now. Want to be locker partners?

    DJ could feel Taylor glaring at her as she nodded and muttered a meek, Sure.

    And the rest of you? asked Mrs. Seibert. I don’t mind sharing, said Kriti.

    I’ll share with her, offered Taylor without enthusiasm.

    I can share with Casey, said Rhiannon.

    Who’s Casey?

    Casey Atwood, offered DJ. She’s new too.

    Another Carter House girl? asked Mrs. Seibert with raised brows.

    Yes.

    Mrs. Seibert nodded. Interesting.

    Yes, said Eliza. It has been.

    So, do you girls need anyone besides Rhiannon to show you around the school? asked Mrs. Seibert. We do have some student guides.

    That’s okay, said DJ. I was actually here for a few weeks last year, so between the two of us, I think we can handle it.

    Well, I hope you’ll all have a wonderful year at CCH.

    Thank you, said Eliza politely. It seems like a very nice school.

    Of course, this evoked a snide remark from Taylor. They were barely out of the office when she said something about the espresso shade of Eliza’s nose. But Eliza just shrugged it off. It never hurts to be nice, Taylor. Someday you may even figure that out for yourself.

    Then Eliza sided up to DJ. Looks like we have first period together, as well as some other classes. Want to show me around?

    Sure.

    Rhiannon fell into step with Taylor now. "I noticed

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