Luke stood up, assessed the water tank next to the tub, and shook his head in good-natured amazement. What a contraption. Makes a man wonder what they’ll invent next, doesn’t it?I wouldn’t know, Chari...
Lily, if you don’t stop that washing and look at me, I swear I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside like a sack of grain. Because
Lily pushed up the window and took careful aim at the man who had probably shot Caleb—the fat man with the funny hat. Drop that gun and let him pass, she said clearly, or I’ll blow you into pieces so...
I’m ruined, she confided miserably. Everyone hates me. I don’t, Caleb pointed out. Lily was not consoled. You’re a man, she retorted, and that doesn’t count. Caleb arched his eyebrows at that but said...
It wasn’t so much the large cauldron of hot water steaming over a slow fire that came as a surprise—people did laundry and made soap that way all the time—but the fact that Luke was sitting in it, lik...
If you want to play this game, then so be it, he snapped. We’ll play settler until you finally learn what a miserable, hardscrabble life it really is! He’d swept his hat off his head, and when he slap...
I thought the tribes around here were friendly, she said, her eyes widening as she looked up at Caleb. His broad shoulders moved in a shrug. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the red man, it’s t...
I have a very happy announcement to make, he said, and the blood drained from Emma’s face. Miss Emma Chalmers and I will be married before the summer’s out. Emma sucked in her breath and closed her ey...
I don’t believe this, Emma said, temper flaring. I came all this way to help you and you’re scolding me like a child! I’ve got half a mind to take you over my knee and paddle you. He took another swal...
He’s never made you feel like a woman, he said, with insultingly accurate perception. You’re as luscious as a ripe peach, and the fool’s left you on the vine. To my way of thinking, that makes him an...
He wished he knew how to make tea, wished he even had some to try with. That was what Miss June-bug wanted when she was feeling low, a good cup of tea, and it always seemed to brace her right up.
Caleb had taken his son out of the room to be bathed, and when he returned carrying the squalling bundle his face glowed with delight. He’s mad as hell, isn’t he? Lily smiled despite her weariness. Yo...
On their wedding day?
Why the devil do you dress like that, he rasped, when you’re easily the most beautiful woman in the territory? Emma’s cheeks pulsed. She started to protest, then stopped herself in confusion. Had Stev...
When she stepped out into the cool spring evening Major Halliday was waiting for her. He tilted his hat. Evening, Miss Chalmers, he said. Lily glowered at him. What do you want? The major smiled that...
What’s it like for you, Velvet? Being married, I mean? Velvet permitted herself a dreamy sigh and gazed into the bonfire as though she saw some wonderful pageant being played out there. It gets better...
There’s a baby inside you right now, he said, leaning forward to trace her collarbone with kisses as Emma gave in and let her hips move of their own accord. And as soon as you’re over having this one,...
Thanks for everything, Daisy, he said, and as he passed the big woman, he kissed her lightly on the cheek. You’re the best cook north of New Orleans. She beamed at the compliment, then made herself gl...
So you do care about me, just a little? Just a very little, Emma said primly, sitting up straight and smoothing her skirts. We’ll see how little you care, Steven told her, his eyes slipping from her m...
She was outside in the back yard, seated in the swing Big John Lenahan had made for her when she was eleven, and watching the spring sun shimmer on the lake when she felt masculine hands encircle her...