Papa's own girl: A novel

A young girl’s world is turned upside‑down one crisp September morning when a troupe of mysterious, red‑cheeked sisters in flowing white gowns arrives at her New England home. She watches their delicate, pink‑toed feet with awe, while her mother watches the scene with weary resignation and her beloved aunt Patty offers gentle encouragement. Through the eyes of this spirited narrator, the daily rhythms of a modest household—her brother Dan’s mischievous escapades, the stern schoolmaster’s challenges, and the quiet hopes of a mother confined to her pillows—come alive with vivid, nostalgic detail.

As the children’s excitement swells, the narrative hints at the deeper currents shaping their lives: Dan’s restless ambition, the pull of duty versus personal desire, and the subtle influence of the new sisters on the family’s moral compass. This opening sets the stage for a richly textured tale of love, faith, and the choices that will define the characters as they move from carefree childhood into the complexities of adulthood.