Karen Witemeyer Quote

Lewis! The boy jumped and spun around. What? Keep that animal away from my crates. Tori drew in a breath and deliberately calmed her voice. Have him play on the other side of you, dear, where there’s more open space for him to explore. And if you think he might need to . . . um . . . water the flowers, let me know at once and we’ll— Masculine laughter cut off her words. Water the flowers? Ben tipped his head back and laughed all the harder. It didn’t take more than a heartbeat for Lewis to join him. Your ma’s sure got a way with words. The freighter wiped at his eyes, and for the first time Tori found herself envious. Envious of his unfettered emotion. She used to laugh like that, so hard tears leaked from her eyes. She missed it. Missed the innocent girl who saw the world as full of possibilities instead of threats. Lewis picked Hercules up and dutifully moved him to the other side of his sprawled legs to keep the pup away from the crates. Aw, she just don’t like talkin’ about— Lewis. Tori gave him a stern look, her warning tone eliciting a pair of irritating male grins. Womenfolk are like that, Ben said, turning back to face the road, but not before he winked conspiratorially at her son. My ma used to say, ‘answerin’ the call of nature.’ And she always blushed when she said it. He aimed a sideways glance at Tori, and her cheeks immediately heated. Traitorous things. Well, I don’t think Hercules will need to water the flowers any time soon. Lewis snickered. He watered the porch steps at Sarah’s house before we left. Tori