“Merry Christmas,” she said, waving them in. “But isn’t it kind of early to be visiting?” Everyone had agreed to meet at her parents’ home for breakfast where they would exchange gifts before enjoying their mother’s delicious home-cooked meal.
Of course it was Sunnie who spoke first. Being the oldest triplet she appointed herself the spokesperson for the three. “Tell us what we heard is not true.”
Lisa closed the door behind them and leaned against it. “Depends on what you heard.”
The look they gave her let her know that they weren’t amused by her comment. “Someone is spreading a rumor that you let Myles Joseph kiss you,” Wendy said, not smiling.
“And right there in church,” Noraine tacked on.
Lisa crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t up to them this morning. This was the season to be jolly, not bossy—and her sisters were the bossiest. They were also very attractive women and more than one man had shown interest, but to no avail. At thirty-one Lisa figured their biological clocks should be ticking, but they were too busy trying to run her life to notice.
“First of all, I didn’t let Myles do anything. He has a mind of his own and a brush across my lips was his way of saying hello. Personally, I saw nothing wrong with it.”
“Need we remind you that the man dumped you,” Sunnie said unceremoniously, without sugarcoating of any kind while raking a frustrated hand down her face. “If I were in your shoes I wouldn’t be talking to him, let alone allowing him to get close enough to steal a kiss.”
“But you’re not in my shoes, Sunnie. None of you are. Myles and I have been friends too long for us to become enemies.”
“Even after what he did to you?” Wendy asked.
Lisa didn’t say anything for a moment. Then she moved away from the door and crossed the room to sit down on the sofa. “I would be the first to admit that I was hurt by what Myles did, but I’ve moved on. I suggest the three of you do the same.”
They looked surprised. “Us?” Noraine asked.
“Yes, the three of you need lives. If you had your own, then you wouldn’t have time to be such busybodies in mine.”
There was a moment of silence in the room, and then Sunnie said, “We worry about you, Lisa, because we love you.”
Lisa knew they truly did. “And I appreciate your care, concern and love, but you’re worrying for no reason. I’ve gotten over Myles. Besides, he’s probably leaving Chiefland as soon as the ceremony is over today.”
“No, he’s not,” Noraine said as she came to sit down next to her on the sofa. “I heard he’ll be in town until right before New Year’s Eve.”
Lisa gave a quick shake of her head. “I’m sure you heard wrong.”
“And what if I heard right?”
Lisa was not sure whether she liked the thought of Myles hanging around, but she had no intention of mentioning her apprehensions to her sisters. “Then I’d say this is a free country and Myles can do whatever he wants. I would also say that he and I are friends. I’m happy for his success and don’t hold anything against him.”
It was Sunnie who came to sit down on the other side of her. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to, honey?” she asked in a soft voice. It was the voice Sunnie would use whenever she wanted Lisa to know that she had thoroughly thought her words through. “We’re the ones who helped you pick up the pieces of your heart the morning after Myles left. It was our shoulders that you cried a bucket of tears on, while chanting how much you hated him in one breath and how much you loved him in the other,” she reminded her.
Lisa remembered that day. She had to admit that her sisters had been wonderful and had kept her pitiful state from their parents. They had helped her put on a happy front around them, refusing to let George and Lilly have reason to say We told you so.
“Okay, I will be the first to admit I was hurt, but it’s been five years and like I said, he plans to leave Chiefland. If not today, then eventually.”
“But we’re worried about what he plans to do while he’s here and if he has included you in those plans. We don’t know if you’ve read the tabloids lately but he dates a lot, considers himself a playboy,” Wendy said.
“He probably enjoys the role,” Noraine tacked on.
“And we don’t want him to think he can drop into town and make a play for you,” Sunnie said, bringing up the rear. “I bet he figures that he can break down your defenses. You’re probably nothing more than a country bumpkin to him now since he’s sampled the city treats Charlotte has to offer.”
Lisa didn’t want to hear any more, mainly because her sisters might have a point. The old Myles wouldn’t do her that way. But did she know the new Myles? The one who was now a wealthy race-car celebrity?
“We want to know that you’ll be able to handle him, Lisa. You’re still young and naive when it comes to men. Myles is the only boyfriend you’ve ever had. For some reason you’ve refused to get serious about anyone else.”
It was on the tip of Lisa’s tongue to point out that they weren’t knocking down any doors to get serious about any men, either. “Look, I’m a big girl. Thanks for your concern but I can handle my own business. I don’t need the three of you telling me how I should handle Myles. I’m not stupid.”
Sunnie shook her head sadly. “No, you’re not stupid, but you’re a woman who’s still in love.”
* * *
“I NOW PRONOUNCE you man and wife,” Reverend Hall said smiling. “You may kiss your bride.”
As soon as Ronald pulled Sheila into his arms, Myles looked at Lisa and mouthed, This ought to be interesting.
And it was.
It took several cleared throats and concentrated coughs before Ronald released Sheila from his arms while beaming proudly. He didn’t appear the least embarrassed that he’d practically gnawed her lips off in front of a church full of people.
When most of the attendees left for the reception, which was to be held at the Chiefland Civic Center—Sheila’s parents were paying top dollar to have it open on Christmas—the wedding party stayed back for pictures. And it seemed the bride and groom had wanted a slew of them.
Lisa found, more often than not, she was paired with Myles or was squeezed close to him for several group shootings. And each time she tried convincing herself that, as she had told her sisters earlier that day, any feelings she once had for him were in the past, and what she was experiencing around him was due to overwrought hormones. Although she was convinced that was the case, her pulse rate still went up whenever he was within five feet of her, which was most of the time.
“Hey, how about taking a picture of me and my wedding partner,” Myles surprised Lisa by asking the photographer. “I’ll pay for it.
“Certainly, Mr. Joseph,” the man said, smiling brightly, and it was easy to tell he was a racing fan.
Before she could recover from Myles’s request, he had pulled her into his arms and plastered her to his side while they looked into the camera. She tried ignoring him. It didn’t help matters that he looked excruciatingly sexy in his black tux and white shirt.
The photographer wanted several different poses and Myles was happy to oblige the man. She decided not to make a fuss and go along with things, wondering what Myles intended to do with the photos when he received them.