Prodigal Daughter
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 23
Elise didn’t know why she was nervous. This wasn’t her first time. She’d dated. She had been married. She’d had sex. And yet, this felt entirely different.
Maybe it was because Marshall wasn’t just some guy. She had feelings for him. He made her forget who she was pretending to be—and instead let her be who she really was. Or maybe, he just liked her for who she was without any pretense.
Justin was staying with Bonnie and Logan for the night. The boy had slowly warmed up to them, especially Logan. With Justin taken care of, the evening was theirs.
Dinner had been unexpectedly cozy. The food was heavy on the carbs and starch, but she’d enjoyed every bite. Marshall’s company helped. He was honest, unpretentious, completely unimpressed by money or status or brand names.
Afterward, they lingered over coffee in the kitchen.
“When’s your appointment with the school counselor?” Elise asked, cradling her mug.
“Tuesday,” Marshall said. “She’ll assess Justin. Too bad we don’t have his old school records yet, but they’re waiting for all the paperwork to go through.”
“How long will that take?”
Marshall shrugged. “No idea.”
He reached across the table, lacing his fingers through hers. His thumb brushed her knuckles as he held her gaze. “Thank you, Elise. For everything. This whole process—it’s been easier because of you. You’ve been a blessing.”
She smiled, emotions flickering too close to the surface. “Well, since we’re handing out merit badges, thank you for trusting me with Justin. And for the job. And for letting me loose in your house with a paint roller, even though I clearly had no idea what I was doing.”
He chuckled and kissed her softly.
“Marshall?” she asked after a moment, her voice hesitant. “Do you ever think about the future? Where you’ll be in five years?”
He didn’t have to think long. “Right here. On this farm. With Justin. After my first marriage went down in flames, I swore I’d never get married again. Justin is my focus now.”
He paused. For a flicker of a second, he allowed himself to imagine asking Elise to stay—really stay. But he shoved the thought aside. She wouldn’t stick around. Eventually, she’d get bored, pack up, and head back to the city. He’d be heartbroken. Worse, Justin would be, too.
“I don’t have much to offer, Elise,” he added quietly. “Nothing but this land. And my heart. And that doesn’t count for much. What about you?” he asked. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
He braced himself for her answer. Fancy house. Wealthy husband. Dinner parties. Maybe a kid. Something not in Middletown. Something not with him.
“I don’t know,” she said. “A few months ago, I would’ve told you I’d be doing the same things I was doing at twenty-five—shopping, partying, traveling ... being bored out of my mind. But now? I’ve reconnected with my dad. I’ve met Justin ... And you. And I don’t want to lose that.”
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