Suddenly Single. Millie Criswell

and took a seat on the edge of the antique tester bed, folding her hands primly in her lap, as any good Southern woman was wont to do. Her voice softened. “Lisa isn’t right for you, Alex. She doesn’t fit into our…your way of life. I thought that had become quite apparent these past few months. You can’t turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse, as the saying goes. Lord knows we tried.”

      Alex’s voice reflected his anger. “What’s apparent is that I’m a fool. I know Lisa isn’t perfect or acceptable by your standards, Mother, but she’s perfect for me. She’s like a breath of fresh air. You and father never took the time to really get to know her. If you had, you would have loved her as much as I do.”

      “But she has no social graces, Alex. Surely you realize that. She balked at every opportunity—to purchase a more appropriate wardrobe, to have dance lessons so we could take her to the country club, to—”

      “You tried to change her. I don’t know why I was so blind in seeing what your motives were from the beginning. I never should have brought her here, I can see that now. We were happy in Philadelphia. We should have just stayed there.”

      Miriam stood, a steely look of determination on her face. “That wasn’t the real world, Alexander—your world. You come from wealth and privilege. Nothing, including a change of geography, is going to change what you are or where you come from.”

      “Well, maybe I need to change. I’m not saying that I’m not grateful for everything you and Father have given me—the excellent Ivy League education and the opportunity to work in the family banking business. But it’s time I became my own man, made my own mistakes.”

      “You’ve certainly done that, son, now haven’t you?” Pausing in his packing, Alex looked back over his shoulder to find his father standing there. Gray-haired, broad-shouldered and as intimidating as ever, Rupert Mackenzie was a formidable force in the world of banking and commerce—and in his own family. And though Alex loved his father, loved both his parents, he wasn’t about to let them ruin his life.

      He’d already done a good job of that himself.

      “I’m twenty-nine years old. It’s high time I made my own mistakes. And I don’t consider having married Lisa to be one. You and Mother were very hard on her, criticizing every little thing she said or did. I tried to keep silent, to avoid confrontation, in the hope that you’d accept her in time. I never expected you to chase her away.”

      “A woman with backbone wouldn’t have been scared off like a frightened rabbit, Alex. You know that as well as I do.”

      Zipping his black-leather carry-on bag shut, Alex stood up and faced both his parents. “Lisa’s got more courage than most people I know. She’s not afraid of the world, hasn’t been cosseted and fawned over like a favored family pet, as I have. And she’s managed to survive, to do all right for herself. I admire that about her. I love her. And I intend to have her for my wife, one way or another.”

      “Tread carefully, son. There’s a lot at stake that you could be throwing away.”

      Eyes narrowed, Alex stared down his father. “If you’re threatening me with my inheritance, don’t bother. I know enough about the mortgage-banking business to start my own firm, and I doubt I’ll have any trouble finding a job in Philadelphia. Now that my assignment there has ended for Mackenzie Enterprises, I’m free to pursue my own interests.”

      “Are you resigning from the firm?” Alex’s father looked shocked, which was a shock in itself. Few things ever threw the old man. “I built that firm as a legacy for you.”

      “It appears that I am.” And no one was more surprised about that than Alex.

      Miriam stepped forward, placing her hand on Alex’s arm, and looking beseechingly at her husband. “You’re our only son, Alex, and we love you. We have only your best interests at heart. Surely you know that.

      Please don’t make a rash decision that could ruin your future.”

      “What I know is that I’m in love with Lisa and have been from the first moment I laid eyes on her across a crowded dance floor. I’m determined to win her back, no matter what I have to do. And trust me, knowing what her family is like, that won’t be easy.”

      His mother grew alarmed. “Why? Are the Morellis connected to the Mafia? Are you in danger?”

      Alex would have laughed, if he thought his mother was joking. Sadly, she wasn’t. “Not every Italian-American is a member of the mob, Mother. The Morellis are hardworking, upstanding people. I don’t think they’re related to the Sopranos.”

      “But you don’t know them that well.”

      “I know their daughter, and that tells me all I want to know.”

      Alex picked up his bag and headed for the door.

      “You’ll regret this, son, if you walk out that door,” his father warned.

      “And I’ll regret it the rest of my life if I don’t.”

      2

      LISA HAD BEEN WAITING anxiously all weekend for her sister’s return, so when she heard Francie’s voice on Leo’s voice mail Sunday night, letting him know that she and Mark were back, Lisa hightailed it down the hallway to Francie’s apartment.

      Mark answered the door, looking tired, well kissed and as disgustingly handsome as ever. Apparently the trip to Buck’s County had gone well, or else he and Francie had just engaged in a round of fabulous sex.

      She rather thought it was the latter.

      “Lisa, this is a surprise! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Florida.”

      “Sorry to intrude, Mark, but I need to talk to Francie. It’s about why I’m not in Florida—a long sad story, and one I’d rather not tell twice, if you don’t mind.” One she’d rather not tell at all, if she were truthful with herself, but Francie was going to ask probing questions and would expect direct answers.

      Though Francie was only two years older than Lisa, she took her job as big sister seriously. But then, Francie took most things seriously. She was the reliable, conscientious, mostly well-behaved daughter, while Lisa was the screwup. Her present situation was testament to that.

      “Sure, come on in. Francie’s in the shower. She’ll just be a few more minutes. Let’s have a beer. I’ll tell you about our trip to Buck’s County. We spent the weekend looking at houses and we think we’ve found the one we want, if we can get our price. The sellers seem anxious, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

      “That’s great!” Following her brother-in-law into the kitchen, Lisa seated herself at the table, accepting the frosty beer mug he handed her. “I can’t wait to hear all about it. Did you take lots of pictures?” Mark’s eyebrow shot up in disbelief, and Lisa shook her head. “Stupid question to ask a photographer, huh?”

      “I took several rolls of film, but I haven’t had a chance to develop them yet. Francie took some nice shots with the digital camera, but I won’t steal her thunder. She’ll want to show you those herself.”

      Wrapped in a blue terry-cloth bathrobe, Francie stepped into the kitchen at that moment, her smile melting into concern when she spotted her younger sister. “I thought I heard voices. What on earth are you doing here, Lisa? Is it Mom? Is she okay?”

      “Why does everyone always think there’s something wrong with Mom? That woman is going to outlive us all.” Lisa sighed. “Mom’s fine. I’m the one with the problem.”

      Francie looked meaningfully at her husband, who was wise enough to take the hint. “I’ve got work to do,” he said, “so I’ll say good-night.” Mark kissed his wife’s cheek, flashing her a smile full of promise. “Don’t be too long, okay?”

      After her brother-in-law departed, Lisa stuck her finger down her throat and