If you don’t take me with you, she said, I will follow you to New Orleans, and if you don’t believe me, just wait and see. I won’t be left behind, Steven. A muscle in his jaw bunched in suppressed ang...
Alas, the question was too big for a man in the process of dying, alone and far from home.
Lily pulled the quilt over her and rolled to one side so that her back was to him. Now that her passion had been appeased, her pride was back in force, and it was painfully bruised. She heard the clan...
The natural spillway where the branch and the
The trees harbored a clearing where a multitude of white daisies with centers as yellow as pirate’s doubloons rippled in the breeze. Looking at them, Emma forgot her troubles. There must be one for ev...
Steven couldn’t help laughing at the somber dignity of her expression. Her very primness lured him, made him want to bring out the wildcat he expected she was hiding from the world and maybe even hers...
It’s wonderful to see you falling in love at last, Caleb. I was beginning to think I’d never dance at your wedding. Caleb went to the porch swing and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his and gi...
I see things haven’t changed much, he drawled, resettling his hat. Good day, Miss Emma. Emma gave a strangled cry and would have stomped on his instep if she hadn’t been afraid she’d break his foot. S...
You’ll have to have a sponge bath before we go on, Mr. Fairfax. There’s a question of infection here. To her surprise, the recalcitrant visitor was looking at her in a different way—his hazel eyes wer...
Turn around, Caleb said gently when she didn’t speak, and I’ll wash your back for you. The experience sounded too pleasant to refuse, and Lily shifted until she was kneeling, facing away from Caleb. T...
Sometimes, everything in the world seems to be lined up against you. All the evidence says you ought to run the other way. Make the bravest choice, not the safest. It's not the best advice, but it's a...
She wanted to ask about the McCaffreys' children, but the question seemed too personal. Westerners were private sorts, in Evangeline's judgment, with more than their share of secrets. It scares me a l...
She stormed into the room and stood at his bedside, her hands on her hips, her blue eyes shooting sparks. There was a silly grin on his face and he had the audacity to add insult to injury by followin...
Sandy laughed, and I realized that I liked her, in spite of everything. Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, Sonterra obviously thought she was hot. But that didn't mean she and I were automatic enemies, duty...
Lily lifted one corner of the chocolate box and peeked inside. Do you suppose Mrs. McAllister would notice if I ate just one piece before supper? she whispered. Eat the whole box if you want, Caleb re...
His thoughts immediately turned to Emma, and the way she’d felt, all soft and warm against him, when he’d kissed her last. He puffed on the cigar for a few moments, speculating. He wondered if she wou...
Where am I going to sleep? Under the supply wagon, with me, Steven answered. We’d better turn in right now, because I want that herd moving at sunrise. Emma’s sense of propriety was a little belated,...
What you gonna do when Mr. Fulton Whitney hears about this debilment? It isn’t devilment, Emma protested, bending close to the little mirror beside the door and pinching her cheeks to make them pink....
They’ll be back in time for the officers’ ball, of course, she remarked, mostly to join in the conversation. Caleb gave her a look of good-natured warning. It won’t matter whether they are or not. You...
The thing about love is you always end up losing it.