Skylar

Despite a rough start to adulthood, Skylar Halverson has managed to move forward and build a life for herself.It's been several years since Skylar found herself pregnant and unmarried. After giving the baby to her sister to adopt and raise, Skylar left Serenity behind to build a life for herself away from her small hometown, hoping to leave the pain and heartache of that time far in the past.It's been one tragedy after another for Aiden McIntyre, but he hopes that things have settled down.Over the past few years, Aiden has lost his father and his sister. Their deaths have shrunk his family down to just him, his mom, and his niece. But then his past comes calling, bringing with it the news that he has a daughter. Unfortunately, the news comes with another hit. His daughter is sick, and the only reason Skylar has contacted Aiden is for him to be tested to see if he could be a donor to potentially help their daughter.Skylar is reluctant to give Aiden many details about their daughter, including who adopted her. In her mind, since he hadn't wanted the baby when she told him she was pregnant, he shouldn't get access to her now. Skylar doesn't want him in her life, and she certainly doesn't want him in their daughter's life.Unfortunately, her sister and her husband feel differently and have no problem welcoming Aiden into their lives. With Aiden back in the picture, the secret Skylar has kept for over nine years is dragged out into the open.While most of her family seemed willing to accept Aiden's presence in their lives again, Skylar has a hard time letting go of her hurt and anger. Aiden understands why she feels the way she does, and he tries to make amends with her, knowing that he made huge mistakes in their past.Even though her faith demands she forgive Aiden, Skylar struggles to offer that to him.Circumstances conspire to keep her in Serenity, forcing Skylar to spend even more time around Aiden. When she finds herself drawn to the man he has become, she's at a loss as to how to handle the intense and conflicting emotions that arise. It feels like way too much of a risk to her heart to trust him again after he's hurt her so badly. Even though that's what he's asking of her.Trigger warning: This story carries scenes and conversations relating to a child who has cancer.