The banker isn’t good enough for you, he said, carefully inspecting one of Chloe’s china shepherdesses as he spoke. His blithe confidence nettled Emma, and so did the tantalizing scent of bay rum he’d...
That’s it, Johnny Reb, Caleb challenged. Turn tail and run. With a bellow Joss whirled and came at Caleb with all the restraint of a runaway freight train. His powerful fist caught Caleb squarely unde...
Steven maneuvered the horse among the cattle that strayed from the herd as easily as if Emma hadn’t been mounted in front of him, whistling and waving his hat at times. In calmer moments, he told Emma...
Steven cupped his hands behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling while he imagined how it would be if everything was all right in New Orleans, if he could take Emma to Fairhaven and make a life wit...
Sooner or later, given enough whiskey, hard work, and women, he’d have been able to put Emma Chalmers out of his mind. Now everything had changed. He couldn’t leave her to that fool of a hypocrite she...
She was standing there, naked as a Greek statue, when the door suddenly opened and a gust of cool night air raised goosebumps all over her body. I forgot my hat, Caleb announced flatly, but his amber...
She was sitting out a dance when Caleb took her hand, pulled her into the shadowy alcove off the ballroom, and presented her with a worn velvet box. This belonged to my mother, he said quietly. Holdin...
She knelt and began gathering up the dirty cups, plates, and silverware she’d dropped with the tray. The movements of her hands were quick and jerky, but she went still when she saw a pair of scuffed...
She awakened with a start to find Macon standing at the foot of the bed, watching her with a grin stretched across his face. His finger and thumb still lingered on her big toe. Stunned, she scooted to...
No matter what the future holds even if, God forbid, Conner dies in his prime, or leaves me, or whatever else that fates might throw at us it would be worth it because once you've loved someone the wa...
Lily didn’t move until much later, when he crossed the room to swat her lightly on her quilt-covered bottom. Your bath water is hot again, he said quietly. Lock the door when I go. Lily turned to look...
How are you feeling? she asked in the same tone she used on summer afternoons, when some of the town’s children came to sit beside the lake with her and listen while she read stories. He ruined everyt...
Fasten my buttons, please, she said, turning her back to Daisy. I’ll fasten your buttons, all right, Daisy muttered, but she couldn’t hide her amusement at Emma’s good mood. You just see that young co...
Everyone in Pennsylvania must know what you just did to me, she managed. Caleb chuckled. It would help if you didn’t carry on like a she-wolf, Mrs. Halliday. Lily laid her head on his bare shoulder. Y...
Emma. He smiled in the darkness, thinking what a fool he’d made of himself. Because of Chloe, he’d assumed he was in a whorehouse, and he’d taken Emma for a fresh young flower in the madam’s bouquet....
Emma knew what was going to happen if she didn’t break away, and she used every shred of her willpower to turn from Steven and run through the daisies, her arms outspread. She’d gone only a few yards...
Don’t you know when to give up? she snapped. Caleb came up behind her, turned her into his arms, and held her close. When was the last time you gave up on something you wanted, Lily? I never give up....
Do I have your word? Steven demanded. You know you do, Cyrus replied. Macon won’t lay a hand on her. What did she say when you told her you didn’t want to be her husband anymore? Steven shoved a hand...
Come on a picnic with me, he said. It wasn’t an invitation, but an order. Color pulsed in Lily’s cheeks, and she blinked, astounded at the man’s arrogance. I don’t think that would be proper, she repl...
Caleb’s mind filled with an unbidden image of her in the parlor of the grand house in Fox Chapel, wearing silks and satins and graciously greeting his guests of an evening. He’d be the envy of every m...