Read Online Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall - Free Book Online Page B

“But each one is equally valuable and means the world to us. We would do anything to help them, and that focus is especially directed at our third daughter right now.”
    Skylar flinched at the words “third daughter.” An awkward silence filled the room. “Don’t you think referring to me as your third daughter might strain your relationship with Ariana?”
    Lovina had practically thrown out Ariana for the chance to make sure Skylar knew God. Clearly she couldn’t undo how swiftly she’d pursued connecting with Skylar. And Ariana would always be her daughter, but would she see it that way? “Love is weird. Its boundaries are able to expand, and each time that happens, it brings unexpected joys. Gifts from God.”
    Skylar’s light brown eyes held suspicion. “All the joy of having a bouncing baby girl was centered on Ariana…for twenty years. I arrived too late to that party, and it’s over. If you think otherwise—”
    “Skylar.” Isaac leaned in. “You’re right that opportunities have been missed, and we’re strangers for now. There will be a learning curve for us to connect this many years later, but we’d like for you to give us a chance.”
    Lovina shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Ariana will always be our daughter, just as you will always be your parents’ daughter.”
    “Yeah,
that’s
the sentiment.”
    “What do you mean?” Isaac asked.
    It was becoming clear that Skylar didn’t show much emotion. She just nonchalantly spoke in a sarcastic tone. “My mom was weary of trying to make me better, and my dad was all too grateful to have a new daughter.”
    Lovina ached to touch her daughter—to hold her hand or place a hand on her shoulder—but she didn’t reach out. “I’m sure—”
    “It’s okay. I’m not complaining. Or looking for sympathy.”
    Was that true? Were Brandi and Nicholas worn out from trying to raise Skylar? “Look, we know this isn’t an ideal situation, but—”
    “That’s a bit of an understatement.”
    “Regardless of how awkward and unpleasant this situation is, God can cause it to benefit all of us.” Would Lovina regret talking about God to someone who didn’t wish to hear about Him? “You can talk to us about any struggles.” Was that true? What did they know of the kind of issues Skylar was dealing with?
    “Struggles?” Skylar lifted a brow. “If you want to talk about drugs, say so directly…as if I could get my hands on any around here.”
    Looking at her in this moment, Lovina was convinced her daughter intended to make connecting with her impossible, and Lovina had no idea what to say to her.
    “We weren’t talking about drugs,” Isaac said, “but since you brought it up—”
    “I really don’t want to hear about my sins.”
    “Then we won’t touch on that topic.” Isaac went to the stove and got the percolator. “But a laws-of-nature chat might be in order.” He refilled her cup. “Not only am I a farmer, but I’m from a long line of farmers. Whether growing crops or tending cattle, we know the yield is a gift, but that gift is affected by whatever it comes in contact with. If crops grow in tainted soil, they can make a person sick rather than give nourishment. It’s the same basic principle for livestock. If livestock eats something as harmless as onion grass, their milk or beef will taste strange, ruining the gift. Laws of nature are true whether we like them, agree with them, or are ignorant of them. Your life is a gift, and it’s meant to yield good things to you and others. Drugs, whether a sin or not, will negatively affect your gift.”
    “Laws of nature.” Skylar pinned Isaac with her stare as he sat back down. “Like the one that says if you don’t care enough to look for or reach out to your child until she’s twenty, she’s not going to care by that point.”
    Isaac abruptly stood up, and Lovina knew he was fighting with himself, trying to weigh his words rather than unleashing them to straighten out this