“Oh, Daddy,” I said, “Owen is not running my life. No man can do that—my daddy taught me that.”

“You don’t see it now, but you will,” Daddy warned. “He’s made you give up your friends, quit your extraparticulars.” I smiled but didn’t bother correcting him.

“He’s right,” Mamma chimed in. “He made you change your major . . . where’s it all end, Mac? You wanted to be a nurse, and now you’re studying communications.”

“I decided I’m not cut out for medicine. I hate needles and get queasy at the sight of blood. That had nothing to do with Owen.”

“Since you were a bitty little thang you talked about traveling and working with Doctors Without Borders,” Mamma clucked. “You were so passionate about doing that, now suddenly you don’t want to? When did that dream die?”

“It didn’t die; it just . . . changed. I’m not sure I’m cut out for travel, constantly living out of a suitcase. I’m thinking something more administrative might be a better fit . . . until we have kids. Then I’ll stay at home like you did with me, Mamma.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with staying home with the kids if that’s what you want,” Daddy said. “I just don’t know if I can ever give that boy my blessing. I can’t trust him. Even your friends don’t seem keen on him, so your mamma tells me.”

I glared at Mamma. “You just had to go and stir the pot, didn’t you?” I accused her.

“Don’t go gettin’ smart with me, young lady, or I’ll snatch you baldheaded,” she said, using her favorite Southern threat to pull out all my hair. “I talk to Lily and Robin on the phone when I call and you ain’t home. It’s your fault for never pickin’ up. But I’ll tell you, Mac, they don’t have anything good to say about him.”

“They’re just jealous because we don’t spend as much time together anymore. But it’s not my fault. I don’t have enough time to go around. The little free time I have left after studying I like to spend with Owen. He makes me happy.”

“He’ll ruin you, that’s what he’ll do,” Mamma warned. “Mark my words, Mackenzie Marie Kirkland. Owen Fischer will crush your dreams and control you until you’re a miserable shell. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes when it happened to your aunt Carol. Don’t think it can’t happen to you too.”

“Listen to your mamma, Mackenzie, she’s talkin’ sense,” said Daddy. “You don’t want to let nobody run your life.”