Chapter 16

Arthur chewed on the mouthpiece of his pipe while slowly rocking in his favorite rocking chair on the front wrap-around porch as he watched Eliza’s jeep ease up the long drive and park not far away.  He studied her movements as she slipped out from the driver’s side and planted her feet on the hard packed, grassy ground. It was clear that she was exhausted.

The shadows cast by the setting sun, along with the fact that he was located near the corner of the house, made it so that he wasn’t immediately seen by his daughter as she slowly climbed the steps to the porch.  Because of this she jerked with surprise when he spoke.

“Long day?” he asked.  Then, seeing her reaction, he added, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I didn’t see you,” she noted with a warm smile as she traversed the last step and leaned her back against the post that helped support the roof at the top of the steps so th