title: Irina and Franco
author: McBride, Laura
description: Irina Spassky is left alone in New York when her Russian father dies. Enamored of painting, she decides to spend the small inheritance he left her in pursuit of art. She falls in love with her teacher, Franco, an Italian artist almost twice her age. Franco a crusty bachelor, takes the young girl under his wing nd in the process finds that she is what he's been missing so far and marries her. His way of life changes drastically as he does hit best to make a home for Irina. But life does not go smoothly for Irina. She finally realizes she has no talent for painting. It is only through Franco's understanding love that her special gift is revealed.