Southern Belle's Special Gift by Marsha Hubler

Monday to surprise Tanya. It seems like this might be the perfect time for a Bell family pow wow.”
    â€œMom, look at these beautiful pictures! I didn’t know she could draw, and she has really neat poetry here about her feelings.” Skye held the papers toward Mrs. Chambers.
    Mrs. Chambers held up her hand and stood. “No, Skye, these are part of Tanya’s private life. Put them back where you found them. Then come out to the dining room where we can talk more about it. And you need to get back down there. She’s probably wondering where you are.”
    â€œDo you think I should tell her that I saw this stuff?” Skye asked, wiping her eyes.
    â€œLet’s go pray about it,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Then you’ll know.”

Chapter thirteen
    H ow’s our baby doing this fine holiday?” Morgan smiled in the doorway of the foal’s box stall. Morning sunlight streamed in through the window in the tack room behind her, making her red hair glow.
    Tanya sat at her station on the straw, stroking the filly’s neck. The foal, now without its blanket, lay sound asleep. “She’s breathing much better, isn’t she, Skye?” Tanya said cheerfully.
    â€œYeah,” Skye said, reading in her corner. “Her nose isn’t runny anymore, and she’s taking her bottles much better too. Even though she’s too weak to stand, I think she’s gonna make it.”
    â€œThat’s great,” Morgan said, starting to back away. “I’m truckin’ to the picnic grove to help Mom and Dad get ready for lunch. Oh, I almost forgot. Mrs. C. wants to know if you guys want hot dogs or hamburgers.”
    â€œI’m not big on either one,” Tanya said. “If they don’t have anything better, I’ll just take a baked potato.”
    Slamming her book shut, Skye looked at Tanya and just shook her head. “Tell Mom I’ll take one of each.”
    â€œOkay!” Morgan’s voice trailed off as she headed out of the barn. “And I can’t wait to tell them the good news about the baby…God does work miracles…catch you later!”
    â€œI don’t get it!” Tanya said. “Why is she so happy all the time? She drives me crazy with her constant smiling. If I were sitting in that chair, I’d let the whole world know what a bum deal I got. Where are her parents? Yeah, and while we’re on parents, where are yours? Nobody ever told me any of this stuff.”
    â€œYou never gave us the chance,” Skye said. “We tried to tell you. Morgan’s parents are divorced, and her mom has a bunch of other kids, so Morgan doesn’t see her much. Her dad’s remarried and in California, I think.”
    â€œThat’s tough,” Tanya said in a sincere tone.
    â€œNow, my parents are a whole other disaster. I don’t have a clue where they are. They stuck me in foster care when I was little.”
    â€œI know a few foster kids in Philly. Some like their foster homes, and some don’t.”
    â€œI’ve been in about fifteen different ones, I think.” Skye looked over at Tanya. “Some of them were the pits, but this one has been the best. I never want to leave here. Mom and Dad Chambers really love me. I can tell. And you’re so lucky that you already have two parents who care about you, and—”
    â€œWell, I still don’t get it. Both you and Morgan have been handed a raw deal, the way I see it. Why are you so la-la happy all the time?”
    â€œTanya, it’s because God is with us,” Skye said, sitting on her haunches. “When you accept him as your Savior, he helps you with all your problems. And the Bible says that when you trust in him, he promises you eternal life in heaven. Now that’s something to be happy about.”
    â€œI wish I could be happy.” Tanya stared at the wall.
    â€œYou can!” Skye bubbled. “Don’t you