Prodigal Daughter

Reviewed by Trice on September 28th, 2008, 5:01pm

by Patricia Davids

Format: Print Books

Series: Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Melissa Hamilton is the youngest member of the Hamilton family. The Hamilton’s have owned and operated the Dispatch newspaper since it was founded by Melissa’s great-grandfather. They are also owners of Hamilton Media of Davis Landing. Melissa has 5 siblings, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, that each has their own stories to tell in other novels. This is Melissa’s story.

            Melissa runs-off with her boyfriend, Dean, and his band. When she discovers that she is pregnant and confronts Dean with the news, she finds out the truth about Dean. He never really loved her; he only loved what he thought he could get from her family. Disillusioned and scared, she decides to head home. During this time, her father has been very ill with leukemia and is still recuperating in the hospital. Her family didn’t know where she was. She did not have any contact with them. Melissa contacted her sister Amy, after Dean left her asking her to wire her some money.

            On the day Melissa arrives back home in Davis Landing, she unexpectedly meets the attorney for Hamilton Media. Richard McNeil. She wasn’t planning on meeting anyone so soon and was trying to slink back into town without anyone being the wiser. The suddenness of meeting Richard ended those plans. Richard offers to drive Melissa to her sister Amy’s home and she accepts. Melissa has trepidations about what kind of reception she is going to get from her sister. Amy is thrilled that Melissa is home. She tries to find out what is wrong with Melissa and how she can help. Eventually, Melissa tells Amy about what a mess she’s made of her life and how she wants to turn her life around. She feels the best way to do this is to put her baby up for adoption. Amy tells Melissa that she should contact Richard McNeil to help get her started with the adoption paperwork.

            Melissa contacts Richard and she meets him at his offices. She relates her story to him and what she wants to try to accomplish. Richard urges her to see her father, but she has an irrational fear of hospitals stemming from the death of her best friend when they were teens. She can’t bring herself to go inside a hospital. Richard comes up with a plan where Melissa can stay at his home with his sister and her family. His sister, Angela, ad her families home was burnt in a fire and they are in the process of rebuilding. Angela needs someone to watch her 2 daughters before and after school. Richard volunteers Melissa to Angela. Angela readily agrees to ask Melissa, if she’s sure this is what she wants. Melissa is happy to get a job including room and board, while she embarks on the next phase of her life.

Melissa grows emotionally and spiritually during her time with Richard and his family. She becomes a stronger person and, with Richard’s help, goes to see her father in the hospital. Her father had some harsh words for her and she runs from his room to the stairwell exit. Unfortunately, her footing is off and she stumbles down the stairs. In those brief moments, Richard realizes how much he loves Melissa. He gets help for her and she is admitted to the hospital. She is okay except for a few bumps and a much bruised wrist. Together Richard and Melissa find out if her baby is alright, after the fall. Luckily, the baby is doing fine.

Thanksgiving rolls around and Melissa and almost her entire family are together for the holiday. Melissa’s mother also invited Richard’s family to join them. It is a lovely gathering made more precious by the arrival of Jeremy. Everyone welcomes their long-missing brother back into the family fold. Feeling that the time is right, Richard proposes to Melissa and she accepts. The story ends here where Jeremy and Melissa go for a walk to catch-up on everything that has been happening.

Trice
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