"It was over as suddenly as it had begun. And lying on the matted, stained hay between her legs was a baby." Part One, Chapter 1, p. 3.

"After my car had broken down I had called the state police and several service stations, but I had never thought to call Stephen. Somehow, I had known if I needed to be rescued, I was going to have to do it myself." Part One, Chapter 2, p. 18.

"To my amazement, the Fisher home was not that much different from the one I'd grown up in. Braided rag rugs were scattered across the hardwood floors, a bright quilt sat folded over the back of a rocking chair, an intricately carved hutch held an assortment of delft china bowls and teacups. I think, in a way, I had been expecting to step back into Little House on the Prairie—these were people, after...