" "Thanks, Hilary." Ryan smiled. "I'm really glad you could make it." "There'll be more," Mark said with a grin. "Lena and Obie will be here, and Toly... and Sara, and Bax is here, too. Mina and Drew will come but she had to work a dinner shift and so they said they'd come later." "Excellent." Brody beamed. "Hey, everybody, come meet the others." He took Ryan's hand in his as they introduced everyone. Bax came over a moment later and took his turn. "So, you're Brody's musician," he said as he. Nat gave me a hug. He whispered, "You look great!"Amos was in front of Beth. "Elizabeth, you look fantastic! Every guy who sees you will be jealous that you're with me."They walked us to Nat's SUV and the guys opened the doors for us. I decided that, while I didn't need it, I liked chivalry. Nat drove us to a park a short way out of town.The guys brought a cooler of soft drinks and bags of chips. Nat had a big soft quilt that we helped spread on the ground in a pretty, shady spot. As we walked. When you pluck a guitar string, it doesn’t simply return to where it was and stop. Instead, it continues on away from you and then returns, over and over and over again, the vibration slowly dying out as the energy is lost to the air, friction, and heat.The same way, you don’t have to push your child very hard to get the swing moving. If you stop there, the swing will go back and forth and slowly come to a stop. However, your child is screaming “More, daddy, more!” When it comes back, you push. "What other reason could there be?" I don't know, sir." Then a little imp made her add. "Perhaps it's because she has a very attractive bottom."He gave a shout of sudden laughter. "You've noticed, have you?"Amanda blushed and studied the floor. "Yes, sir. I have to say I've sometimes thought about it myself." About spanking her bottom?" Yes, sir." Well, well. You're full of surprises Amanda."He sat back and regarded her downcast head thoughtfully for a long moment. His chair creaked as he stood.