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common sense. Still, he couldn’t wait to enter service, and then he would prove himself worthy to stand up to men like Mr. Marsden and talk with force to someone like Mr. Morrissey. Of course, he hoped his after-service position wouldn’t entail waiting tables.
    He imagined all the possibilities that awaited him. Maybe he could be a professional pilot, if he made air force of course. Or take what he learned from Mr. Morrissey and start his own farm; he already knew how to operate the equipment. There was always the idea of going into business too; maybe Andrew would surprise himself on the placement exams and end up being a whiz in financial activities. The possibilities were endless.
    Again he scolded himself for fantasizing. His future didn’t belong to him yet. He needed to spend more time thinking about serving his great country and less time worrying about himself. Besides, right now all he should worry about was Mr. Marsden’s next course. He wouldn’t let any negative treatment of Mia affect him. She was not and would never be his concern.

Chapter 8
The marriage ceremony is the joining of two individuals as one, and it is a time to be celebrated. While the groom chooses the style of the ceremony, it is always the bride who is the center of attention.
—The Registry Guide for Girls
    T he heavy smell of ammonia nauseated Mia as she dipped her mop into the bucket. This morning she and Whitney had been charged with washing the floors of the entire house. It made Mia wish they had carpeting. Starting in the basement and working their way upstairs, the two girls would require several hours to finish the job.
    “He sounds like a jerk,” Whitney said. “But at least you’ll never have to see him again.”
    “After the ‘incident’ I spent the rest of dinner just giving him two-word answers. I don’t think he left happy. My mother must have decided to make today floor-washing day to punish me.”
    “I still think you’re crazy for this idea.”
    Mia was sick of this argument. “Why do you want to get married so badly?”
    “Because I want children. I think I’ll be a good mother.”
    “And what if you marry someone and only produce sons? Would you be able to toss them out?”
    Whitney looked down and ignored Mia’s questions. She had a feeling Whitney was starting to get on board with the escape plan for her own reasons.
    “Have you thought any more about our plans?” Mia asked.
    “I have some ideas. I think we need to run quickly. If we take a straight shot south, we’ll go into Mexico, so let’s just do that.”
    “Sounds simple enough.”
    “I also think we need to steal one of your father’s cars. That way we can get a bigger head start.”
    “Are you crazy? He’ll kill us.”
    “Um, rethink that statement. For starters, he can’t kill us if he never sees us again. Next, he is already going to kill us for trying to run.”
    It didn’t take long for Mia to process this argument. “You’re right. Can you drive?”
    “I can figure it out. I have some time to teach myself.”
    “Amelia.” The bellow came from upstairs.
    Her father barreled down the steps and grabbed Mia’s hand, yanking her up to her feet and starting to drag her up the steps.
    Mia looked back at Whitney, who was confused, but Mia was not alarmed. She was certain it was her father’s turn to punish her for driving Grant away. But to her dismay, when she exited the basement, there stood none other than her displaced suitor. Grant stood cool and confident, wearing a deep-blue suit. He looked as formal as he had last night. Whereas Mia was wearing sweatpants and an old T-shirt, her hair tucked in a messy bun.
    “Forgive my daughter’s appearance. We weren’t expecting guests.”
    “A woman should always look her best. You never know who is going to pop in,” Grant responded with a suave smile. “I’m sure many of her habits will change soon.”
    “What are you doing here?” Mia asked.
    Mia felt a slight smack on