"I love her." I whisper. "More than anything, and because I do, I will never plan to hurt her. I take the blame for being careless and not observant enough, but I don't regret loving her."

Both parents exchange looks at each other. "What?!"

Her father shakes with rage. "Love doesn't hide. Love doesn't lie. And love doesn't take a girl away from her home and leave her missing in another state."

Soon her mother starts crying and weeping, having come to the realization that her ...