The sound of the tearing cloth was more than loud enough to be heard in the back yard so I leapt to my feet and hauled ass to where I'd parked on the ...street, ignoring the fact that I was exposed to the world if anyone looked. My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped my keys as I pulled them from my pocket and unlocked the car door.I threw myself in the driver's seat and started the car at the same time the scream of un-lubricated metal announced the opening of the side gate. I slammed. It looked so warm and protective. How it fit him! She could imagine him retiring, after a long day working on their land for their food, exhausted, the muscles of his chest hard and tight. His large, strong arms, perfect for protecting her."Papa," she murmured, missing him so.Shaking herself out of her reverie, Lucy went over to the bookshelf. The books were bound in leather, and had no titles written on the fronts. No idea where to start, Lucy picked one off at random and carried to the bed. His two companions did the same.“Thank you, sir,” Cal said. “We, uh, didn’t...”It was embarrassing to be empty-handed.“Don’t worry,” Tanaka said. “The exchange is a custom in our country. We didn’t expect that you would know of it. Please enjoy your gifts.”Cal felt more at ease. He glanced to the side and noticed Homer burying the small case in his pocket. Kyle opened it and took a closer look. Cal was starting to feel more confident.“Well, you’re here to see a plant,” Cal said, holding the. "What's the matter, Angie?" I asked."I missed my period and I might be pregnant. I don't know what I'm going to do." She started crying."Everything will be fine Angie." I thought for a few seconds and blurted out, "Let's get married!" Really? You'll marry me? Do you love me, Brent? I don't want you to marry me just because I might be pregnant."Angie was raised in foster homes and hardly remembered her parents. Her dad was in a prison somewhere and her mom gave her up and she never saw her.