Prodigal Daughter
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 19
Elise returned to her father’s house whenever she could to fulfill her community service. But mainly, to spend time with him. Once the front yard was done, they moved to the backyard. Then it was painting the old shed, and then...
Every Saturday, she took cooking lessons from Mary and learned more about fantasy books from Maggie. The girl was thrilled when she found out Elise was her sister—and even more delighted when Elise finished the first book in the Werewolf Vigilante saga so they could talk about it together.
Even Sabrina mellowed a little. She stopped making snarky remarks, at least. They didn’t become friends, but they were civil around each other.
Brick by brick, Elise was slowly rebuilding her father’s trust and love. She got used to manual labor, and her once-immaculate hands, began to show the wear of hard work.
One Saturday afternoon, Paul, Mary, and Elise sat at the table, sipping coffee and catching up on the latest Middletown gossip. Sabrina had gone out with friends, and Maggie was reading in her room.
“You look worried,” Paul said, watching his daughter closely.
Elise let out a long sigh and nodded.
“Daddy, that woman is infuriating,” she burst out, exasperation lacing her voice. “She’s been giving me the evil eye all week.”
Mary raised an eyebrow and looked at her husband for context.
“Bonnie Tucker,” Paul explained.
“Oh, Bonnie,” Mary said, with a chuckle. “She can be a handful. Remember when she threw a fit at the pie contest because her pecan pie didn’t win?”
Paul smiled. “You care about her grandson, and she’s playing mother bear.”
“Well, yeah, but nothing is going on between us,” Elise said. “He’s kind of my boss.”
“But it’s more than just keeping your job, isn’t it?” Paul asked, gently.
Elise bit her lip. “I kind of like him. But there’s Justin to consider.”
“Marshall’s son,” Paul said, nodding.
“You should’ve seen him, Daddy. When I first met him, he was this scared little boy who didn’t understand what was going on. He had no one in the world.”
“You really care about him,” Paul noted.
“I do, deeply,” Elise said, softly. “All I can do is be there for him. Show him someone cares. And now, he’s blooming.”
Paul sat back, observing his daughter quietly. It was still surprising—how much she’d changed in such a short time.
“You’ve changed,” he said.
“I have?” Elise blinked, surprised.
“Since you came to Middletown. You’re more ... mature. Compassionate. Less self-absorbed.”
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