She took a deep breath and, lifting the baby from the sink, laid her in the towel being held by Jack. She cocked her head in appreciation as Jack took the infant confidently, wrapping her snugly and c...
She shrieked his name, threw her arms around his neck and hugged him so fiercely he took a step back and started to laugh. He put his arms around her and held her off the floor in her excitement. She...
She didn’t need advice from Mel or anyone else. She’d given him every chance, but he never said a word about how he felt about her, not a syllable about wanting a life with her. She had to make hersel...
Salads? he said. I don’t usually make a lot of salads. I know this, she said wearily. But we need to make a couple of changes. Just minor changes. Buy some low-fat, whole-wheat bread for sandwiches. D...
Out here, you’re all muscle, a hide like leather, she said, running her hands over his upper arms, shoulders and chest. You have a soft underbelly. You’re a soft touch. I know. Mush. Nothing but mush....
Oh, Jack, she said, leaning against him again. Please, I don’t want to ever fight with you. He lifted her chin with a finger. Don’t be a candy ass. You fought good. You won, as a matter of fact. But i...
Mel? he called. Sit with me a minute. I should go to Joey. She came all this way… Maybe we should talk. About what’s been going on with you. She had been on this precipice for days, teetering on the f...
Mel? Are you nervous about—you know—giving birth? Not at all. You know why, big fella? Because I’m meeting John Stone at Valley Hospital, and if everything goes to hell, I’m having a big fat epidural....
Mel walked right into his open arms. You’re late, she said, looking up at him. He lowered his lips to softly kiss her forehead. Sorry. I was held up. Goddamn truck left without me. He smiled down at h...
Luke, thank you. You’ve made it all so wonderful, so good. Hold me, she said. Let me fall asleep against you, in your arms. He held her there, like that, stretched over his body, her head resting agai...
Luke frowned. This was not great timing. He was getting close to closing the deal with a twenty-five-year-old beauty and who shows up but the younger brother who is all of thirty-two. The hotshot spy-...
Let’s have that talk. It would be nice to have someone to talk to about this. About where it’s going, which I think I’m pretty clear about. Can you do that without telling Paul all my personal busines...
Let’s get this over with, Walt blustered to Noah. They’re setting up some mighty fine-looking food back at the house and those Riordans are circling like starving dogs. I’d like to get back there whil...
Let me make you some coffee, he suggested. And ruin this perfectly good buzz? Hell, I’ve earned it. She took a step and wavered. Besides, I don’t think it’ll make me sober. Probably just wide-awake dr...
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. —LAO TZU
Just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you have to be poor in spirit. Just because you’ve lost faith doesn’t mean you can’t learn to trust again. Just because you’re afraid doesn’t mean you’re doomed....
John? came a small voice. There, standing in the doorway from the kitchen, was Chris with his favorite snuggly toy, the one with the blue-and-gray plaid flannel leg. What’cha doing, John? Preacher’s f...
Joe, I think I might be clueless when it comes to love. Afraid I wouldn’t know real love if it bit me in the ass. He chuckled in spite of himself. Been there, he said. Pretty recently, in fact. I
Jack sat in the big chair in his room and said, Come here, to Mel. She went to him and he pulled her down onto his lap. I have something for you. He pulled a small box out of his pocket, shocking her...
Jack had no idea what she might be thinking, but he thought, Don’t turn and run just because you got kissed. Things could be worse. After