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“Don’t be ridiculous. Those people won’t be strangers if you ever got to know them. Plus, you’ll get to see that baby whenever you want with this open adoption you asked for.”
    “I know, but—”
    “Lilly, why are you even thinking about such things? Everything’s already been decided. Alec was fine with that.”
    “Alec is a jerk. Of course he’s not ready to be a parent. But, Momma, maybe I am.”
    For a moment, her mother’s eyes softened. It was so rare that Lilly ever called her momma anymore. But then her expression hardened. “That’s childish thinking.” In a series of hasty movements, her mother turned off the faucet and yanked off both yellow rubber gloves. “You’re eighteen, Lilly. Only eighteen. You’re definitely not ready to raise a child. Being a parent involves more than simply giving birth, you know.”
    “I know. But maybe I am ready to be a mom.” Her stomach fluttered. Feeling the movement, Lilly pressed her hands over her stomach. Maybe it was the baby. Maybe it was just nerves. But no matter what, Lilly couldn’t deny that it was her body that was going through all the changes. Her body, not her mother’s.
    She was the one who had gotten pregnant.
    “Think of the consequences, Lilly,” her mother said, coming to sit by her side. “I love you dearly, and I want you to be happy. I want you to do all the things you’ve planned. Think how much your life would change if you had a child.”
    “My life’s already changed,” she retorted, amazed that her mother could be so blind. “I’ve lost my boyfriend. I’ve moved away from all my best friends…and, oh, yeah. My family treats me like I’m a slut.”
    “Lillian Rose! Don’t talk like that.”
    “Why, Mom? It’s true. Everyone in this house wants this baby to go away. You all either constantly remind me of ‘my mistake’…or you talk about how good life isgoing to be once ‘this episode is over with.’ Well, maybe I don’t want it to be over.”
    “You don’t have a choice. We already spent hours talking about this.”
    “But—”
    “That’s enough.” Reaching out, her mother clasped both of her hands. “Now, this is what we’re going to do. First, we’re not going to mention any of these crazy ideas to your father. He’s got enough to worry about, with his new job at the phone company. Next, you are going to work on your algebra homework and then you’re going to pick out three couples who you’d like to interview.”
    “But—”
    “There’s no discussion, Lillian. We’re out of choices. We’re out of options.” Softening her voice, she gently squeezed her shoulders. “I promise, this is for the best. Every baby deserves to grow up in a house full of love. By two parents who will love him or her. Don’t be so selfish.”
    Lilly’s mother walked out of the kitchen, leaving Lilly staring at the open math book, with a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach.
    Was she being selfish? Did she really want this baby, now? This baby that she’d never intended to have in the first place?
    As the adoption notebook stared right back at her, Lilly knew she’d never felt more miserable in her entire life. Or more alone.
     
    Even in the coldest days of winter, there was no escaping the chores that had to be done. After breaking the thin layer of ice covering the top of the horses’ troughs, Joshua filled each with fresh water and oats.
    Next came the cleaning of the stalls, which Anson should’ve been helping him do, if he hadn’t been foolish enough to break his arm. And, as usual, Caleb was no where to be found, either.
    Joshua wrapped the thick navy scarf Gretta had knitted for him for Christmas a bit more securely around his neck. Back when he’d received the scarf, he’d been sure no one could make him happier.
    Now things seemed different. But was it all because of the English family next door? Because of Lilly? Could one girl really change his way of thinking so drastically?
    That was