Read Online Military Daddy by Patricia Davids - Free Book Online Page A

be to stop focusing on the kind of relationship you want with the child and start focusing on the kind of relationship you want with Annie. Women will do almost anything to protect their children. If she sees you as a threat, you’ll never earn her trust. Respect is the key.”
    â€œHow do I make her understand that?”
    Lindsey shook her head. “I’m not talking about her. I’m taking about you.”
    He scowled. “I respect women.”
    â€œYou’re thinking in general terms. Chivalry is fine, but true respect for another human being only comes from knowing them—and it comes from the heart.”
    Respect from the heart. He nodded. “I understand what you’re telling me, but how do Annie and I get past the botched start we made?”
    â€œBaby steps, Shane. Slow, careful baby steps.”
    Â 
    Marge stood waiting for them on the front porch when they reached home. The look of disappointment in her eyes as she listened to her daughter’s halting and slightly slurred confession was painful for Annie to see.
    â€œAnnie, will you excuse us?” Marge asked.
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œOlivia, I want to speak to you in private.”
    Nodding, the girl walked with leaden feet through the doorway. Marge followed her daughter into the house and upstairs to the girl’s bedroom.
    Annie knew exactly how Olivia was feeling. She took a seat on the beige sofa covered with colorful throw pillows and waited with her gaze riveted to the staircase leading to the upper level. When Marge was done with Olivia, it would undoubtedly be Annie’s turn to face the music. She didn’t relish the idea.
    Would Marge ask her to leave? The prospect was frightening. She didn’t have enough money saved to get a place of her own. Without Marge’s continued support and counsel, Annie couldn’t help wondering if the urge to drink again would overwhelm her the way it had during her last setback.
    After thirty long minutes the sound of a door opening and closing upstairs made Annie sit up straight. Only a few months ago she would have taken off rather than apologize and accept responsibility for her actions. Part of her wished she still could, but a deeper part of her was grateful that her newfound faith in God’s love kept her from running away.
    Marge entered the room and sank onto one of the green recliners flanking the large picture window. Pulling a green-and-gold throw pillow into her lap, Annie buried her fingers in the long fringe to keep her hands from shaking. “I’m so sorry, Marge. I should never have let her go off by herself. This was all my fault.”
    â€œDon’t be so hard on yourself. Olivia knows right from wrong. I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming. How can I profess to counsel people for a living when my own daughter can pull a stunt like this?”
    â€œNow who is being hard on themselves?”
    Marge managed a weak smile. “You’re right. I can only pray that she learned some kind of lesson from this. How many times can you tell a child that their actions can have serious consequences?”
    â€œIf you think it would help, I can talk to her about exactly what those consequences are.”
    â€œThank you. For tonight, I think the headache and sick stomach is enough to stop her from trying this again anytime soon. I hope it is. Can I ask you a question?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œHow young were you when you started drinking?”
    â€œFifteen.”
    â€œHow did you get alcohol at that age?”
    Looking back, Annie couldn’t believe how easy it had been. “My parents had it in the house all the time. They were ‘social drinkers.’” She made quote marks with her fingers.
    â€œI’m supposed to be the professional here, but the truth is I’m an angry, scared mother. What should I do?”
    â€œDon’t panic.”
    â€œThat’s easy to say.” Marge