Nyrissa couldn't even begin to tell Ryan how much his words meant to her. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she sniffled gently, trying to hold herself together. She didn't blubber like a baby. She wasn't sure if this was pregnancy hormones or just the stress of the situation. But Nyrissa was having a heck of a time keeping her emotions in check.

She ducked her head and stared at her slipper-clad toes while she blinked furiously. Crying in front of people was something to be avoided at ...