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...
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...
Hello, Major, Lily said, and she went right on scrubbing. Caleb approached. Put down those long Johns and look at me, Lily. I’ve got something to give you. She glared resentfully at his perfectly pres...
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.
He was a man. He should have acted more like one - thought about how all that self-indulgence might affect his daughter, if not his wife.
Emma awakened Steven rudely by arching her back and letting out a howl of startled discomfort. He sat bolt upright in bed, shoved one hand through his hair in agitation, and babbled that he was willin...
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...
You delight in making a fool of me, she accused in a furious whisper. Not true, Caleb replied smoothly. But I do like watching the sparks catch in your eyes when you realize you’ve just been had. May...
You are impossible, Rupert said. I have half a mind to take you straight to the woodshed and blister your behind. Lily wasn’t worried; she knew her brother didn’t have a violent bone in his body. Good...
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...
Touch her, he vowed in a low voice, and I’ll feed you to the gators, piece by piece. Macon
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...
Steven’s patience had been taxed to the limits. He’d never in his life laid a hand on a female in anger, but he was sorely tempted to haul this one off to the woodshed and blister her backside.
Stay there, he rasped, or I swear to God, you’ll still have the imprint of my hand on your ass when you’re ninety! Joellen
Some of the stitches have come out, she fussed to Sing Cho, who was squinting in the darkness and giving his handiwork a solemn inspection. Should not ride, Sing Cho scolded. Should not herd cattle. H...
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...