A Daughter for Christmas by Margaret Daley Page A

feelings for him beyond friendship. Three, do I have to say anymore?”
    Rachel wanted to deny it. She couldn’t. It was true. “He is a nice man. Even Taylor warmed to him some on Sunday.”
    â€œAnd that probably scared you even more.”
    â€œNo—okay, maybe a little. I think it was the ice cream sundae that got to her.”
    â€œThe way to a female’s heart is through ice cream?”
    Rachel chuckled. “Yeah, something like that.”
    â€œHow’s she doing at school this week?”
    â€œI’m not sure. Monday and Tuesday she came home and didn’t say a word. I mentioned again about homeschooling, but all she did was stomp off to her room.”
    â€œZachary’s sister told me Taylor called Ashley last night to ask about homeschooling.”
    â€œShe did? She didn’t say anything to me.” Frowning, Rachel pushed to her feet. “But then why should I be so surprised? We don’t talk like we used to. I’m usually the last one to know what’s going on with her. Did Ashley say if Taylor was interested in homeschooling?”
    â€œI think she just listened. Didn’t say much about how she felt.”
    The sound of the front door slamming closed jerked Rachel around toward the kitchen entrance. Her heart pounding, she rushed toward the foyer. She glimpsed Taylor stomping up the stairs.
    â€œTaylor, what’s wrong? Why are you home from school at eleven?”
    Her daughter whirled around at the top. Her bottom lip quavered. She bit her teeth into it as tears filled her eyes.
    Rachel ascended a couple of steps. “Honey, what happened?”
    Taylor opened her mouth to say something, snapped it closed and spun on her heel. As she fled down the second-floor hallway, her sobs resonated through the house.
    â€œI’m leaving. Go talk to her.” Jordan sent her a reassuring look. “Maybe she’s ready to talk.”
    Or not. Rachel hurried up the stairs as her sister left. At Taylor’s room she knocked, waited a few seconds and turned the knob. Entering, she found her daughter on her bed, crying, her body shaking from the force of her sorrow. Her legs were curled up against her chest while her back was to Rachel. The painful throb in her chest expanded. Hearing her child so upset tore Rachel up more than if she were the one in distress.
    She sat on the bed and laid her hand on Taylor’s arm. She stiffened beneath the touch and hunched her shoulders even more. “Taylor, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
    For a long moment her daughter didn’t say anything, then she muttered, “I’m the dumbest kid in school.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œI made the lowest score on the science test on Monday and then today in history. Everyone knows it.”
    â€œDid they say anything?”
    â€œNo. But they don’t have to.” Taylor turned to face her. “I saw the pitiful looks I got. I’m not going back to school. Ever.”
    â€œYou just got up and walked out?”
    â€œYes, in the middle of class. I want to be homeschooled. It can’t be worse than what this year has been like.”
    â€œOkay, if you’re sure.”
    A tear rolled down Taylor’s cheek. She swiped it away only to have it replaced by another. “Yes. I can’t go back.”
    â€œThen we’ll start tomorrow afternoon. I’ll go up to school this afternoon and talk with them. I want to know where you are academically. Tomorrow morning you have an appointment to see Dr. Reynolds.” The office had called earlier that morning to say there was a cancellation, and the receptionist moved up her appointment from next week.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI want to talk to Dr. Reynolds about Attention Deficit Disorder.”
    Taylor shot up in bed. “You think I have it?”
    â€œI don’t know what’s going on with you, but something is. You haven’t been for a