Touched by a Phoenix Read Free Page A

we’re still young enough to enjoy it.”
    “Oh Father, that is unfair. It’s not necessary for me to have a man in my life to manage the company or to be happy. I am perfectly capable of doing both without a husband. Besides, you of all people should realize that laying a guilt trip on me will not work!” Her frustration bordered on anger.
    Her tight voice forced Phillip to rethink his tactics. Perhaps he should back off—at least for now. He had a few more weeks to think, regroup, and come up with a more convincing plan before her travels ended.
    Meanwhile, he decided that perhaps he should say something to soothe her and make her forget his offenses. “Honey, you’re right. It’s not our place to decide how you should live your life or when you should marry, but there are some remarkable men who would love to have the opportunity to win your heart. I just wish you would give them a chance. Your mother and I just want you to be happy,” he said in his most loving fatherly tone.
    She blanched as he squeezed her hand tenderly. “I know you do Father, but I don’t want just any man. If I am lucky enough to find Mr. Right, I want…,” she trailed off. The hair on the back of her neck stood, a little shiver ran down her spine. She didn’t know what she wanted and it didn’t matter, her past would always overshadow her dreams.
    “Alexis dear, all you do is work and the only time you visit is for Sunday service and lunch. There is more to life than just work, dear. Your mother and I want you to find real happiness.”
    Catherine thought she should step in before Phillip said something…well, hurtful. “Sugar.”
    Her tone soft but firm, “Enough.”
    Catherine’s eyes filled with sympathy for her daughter. “Honey, your dad and Phillip were both Marines and while their duty came first, they found time for a family, and so should you. Your parents are watching over you and I’m sure they are very proud of your accomplishments, but they would want you to find the same kind of happiness they shared, and so do we.”
    Sadness crept into Alexis’s eyes as she thought of her biological parents. The accident had been such a long time ago but seemed so fresh in her memory at times like this. Catherine was right; her dad had always made time for them, no matter what else was going on.
    “I know you love me, want to see me marry, and to have children, but I haven’t found anyone that I am willing to spend the rest of my life with. I simply refuse to settle.” Her eyes silently pleading with her mother to understand.
    “Do I need to take out an ad,” Phillip growled.
    A horrified gasp escaped Alexis, “No Father, you most certainly do not need to take out an advertisement! After we close the deal on Bio-Space, I will work a little harder to get out of the office more often, and that’s all I will promise.”
    His tone softened as he took her hand and pulled it to his lips for a soft kiss. “Alexis honey, I love you more than anything else in this world, I just want to you to be happy.”
    “I love you too, Father.”

    Later that evening, Alexis collapsed on the bed, burying her face in her pillow and started to cry. She had not cried before tonight—not over this. It was easier to shut down than to deal with the pain. Phillip had been unyielding about her finding someone and marrying since Brad had accepted the job.
    She fought demons day-in and day-out, kept everyone at bay, and would never trust anyone enough to consider marriage, not after what happened. Love and a family were simply an unrealistic dream for her. Besides, who would want her once they found out about the demons that possessed her?
    Her body gave way to the uncontrollable sobs as she let her heart sink into the darkness she had been hiding from the world. For the first time in nearly ten years, she allowed herself to cry until there were no more tears…for the reality of what a life filled with loneliness might be like.
    As the tears