SOONER

"Elizabeth, this is Sooner Hawes. I've brought her home to stay with us awhile."
Elizabeth felt the fear beat up at her from inside. She stared at Mac. His eyes helf steady. They weren't pleading anymore, just waiting.
My God, he's just up and done it, without explanation, or asking, or even trying to talk me around. She wanted to scream at him that he had no right to-to handle her like this. Not even a baby she might come to think of as her own, but a - a mongrel!

"What were you thinking, Mac? All you have to do is force on somebody the opportunity to love, and she will? Couldn't you at least have tried me out on something more likely? She's never heard of a toothbrush, doesn't even know what toilet paper is... that dirty little..."