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She always shared those incidents with Nate. He often circled back to the girls, but by then the issue had already been handled, everyone ready to move on.
In the last five years, Nate had been more present with the girls, but this was the first really big thing he was here for, and Miranda wasn’t sure if she should take the lead this time because this involved Nate’s daughter Summer.
Miranda needed to tread carefully. She didn’t want Natalie to think she was taking sides. She didn’t want Nate to think she blamed Summer, though it was Summer’s sudden arrival in their lives that was causing Natalie to act out.
Natalie and Haley had their fair share of squabbles, but Natalie had never done something so blatantly hurtful or stolen something that didn’t belong to her. Miranda didn’t buy that she “borrowed” the car.
Summer had remained neutral. Miranda appreciated that Summer said nothing and allowed her and Nate to deal with Natalie when Summer had every right to express her anger and hurt that Natalie had treated her so poorly.
Nate barely stepped into Natalie’s room when he went off. “I can’t believe you were so callous and left your sister in that much pain just so you could meet up with your friends.”
Natalie gaped at her father. “How was I supposed to know it was that bad?”
Nate eyed her. “She didn’t ask to go to the hospital for no reason.”
Natalie huffed and scrunched her lips in an angry pout, caught by Nate’s logic.
Miranda stepped between Nate and Natalie. “Why did you turn her down?”
Natalie held her arms out wide, then let them drop. “I really didn’t think it was that serious.” She dropped onto her butt on her bed. “I mean, it wasn’t like she was bleeding all over the place and needed 911.” Natalie hung her head. “Everyone keeps fawning all over her. All Haley talks about is her. Dad’s spending his lunch with her. Cody spends all his free time talking to her. Now he’s mad at me.” She folded her arms across her chest. “She should have made it clearerwhyshe needed to go to the hospital.”
Nate’s eyes went wide. “If someone asks you to take them to the hospital, you do it.”
Natalie gave her dad aduhlook that only made Nate more agitated.
Miranda tried to understand what her daughter was feeling and why. “Natalie, I understand this situation isn’t easy.”
“She’s a stranger. But you all treat her like she’s one of us.”
“She is one of us,” Nate said, his voice gentle. “She’s mine, Nat.” The pain mixed with joy in Nate’s voice touched Miranda’s heart. “Which makes her yours, too.”
And hers, too. Miranda really took that in and what it meant.
Summer didn’t need Miranda to raise her, but Summer could definitely use a mother who was kind and understanding and supportive.
Miranda sympathized with Summer’s situation with her mom and with Nate having missed all of Summer’s life up until now. But Natalie was right, they all needed time to get to know each other and adjust to this new reality.
Miranda wanted Summer to feel welcome, but she also wanted Natalie to feel safe and secure with her place in the family. “It’s natural that there will be some changes now that Summer has joined the family.”
“Shetook overthe family,” Natalie snapped. “She’s practically living here now. She’s going to the benefitwith Cody. She and Haley are best buds, and no one is talking about my graduation and what we’re doing to celebrate.”
Miranda gave Natalie a sympathetic smile. “The plans for your graduation are all set. We will all be there to celebrate with you. Dinner’s at your favorite restaurant. I’ve ordered your favorite dessert. There will be presents.” Miranda hoped that cheered up Natalie.
“But before that happens, you will apologize to your sister,” Nate ordered in a calm but definitive tone.
Natalie nodded.
Nate sat next to her and put his hand over hers in her lap. “Please, Nat, give Summer a chance. She wants to be your friend. I’d love it if all my girls got along.”
“Okay.” Natalie’s lackluster agreement made Nate frown.
Miranda wasn’t so sure Natalie would give Summer a chance and wondered if there was something more going on here. “Natalie, it sounds like your concerns about Summer don’t really have anything to do with how she’s treated you.”
“She’s so very nice.” Natalie made it sound like a disingenuous thing.
Miranda held Natalie’s gaze. “I appreciate that she is trying to understand that we’re all getting used to this and she’s taking the time to try to get to know each of us.”
“Some of us more than others,” Natalie grumbled under her breath.
