You and I come from such completely different backgrounds, Viv. I was planning to be a nun! Viv’s eyes widened in shock, but very briefly. Well, you’d have been some kick-ass nun, that’s for sure. I’v...
What have you got in the truck? What’s that awful smell? A bear. Wanna see? he asked, smiling. A bear? Why on earth…? He was really pissed, Jack said. Come and see—he’s huge. Who shot him? she asked....
We’ve been sitting on a little news. We’re having a baby. Well, damn! Paul said. He looked at Preacher and grinned. You finally came through on ovulation day, huh, buddy? He puffed up a little. I did...
Well, hello, Cameron. Vanni, how are you? Very well, thanks. And you? She chewed her lip a little bit. Why couldn’t this just be Paul? I’m good. Listen, I know Virgin River is perfection, but I was wo...
We should at least stay for the sunset, Mike suggested. There’s nothing like a Pacific sunset. Would you like that? I would. Do you think I should call Jack? Let him know? Mike shrugged. I don’t know...
Want me to do baths while you cook lasagna? That would be good, she said. And please, don’t forget the hard-to-get places—neck wrinkles, backs of ears, between toes. Your mother checks those things. H...
Vanni, I’m sorry, he said. What can I do? She just shook her head. There’s nothing you can do, Paul, except go quickly so we can get on the road… Vanni, tell me you understand what I told you. I can’t...
Vanni, I barely know Luke Riordan, but it’s real clear he’s not my knight in shining armor. He’s done everything he can think of to discourage me, but let’s be honest—this was no frontal attack from h...
Vanessa, you have the worst goddamn temper. I… And you’re the bossiest woman I’ve ever known. I want you to listen to me—I can’t change what I feel, what I’ve felt for years. I tried, because I never...
Vanessa, just what the hell’s going on? I’m…ah…I’m going on a little weekend trip with Cameron. I’ll be taking the baby, of course. He had heard her side of all three conversations and she knew it. Th...
There’s no danger of disease, he said. I haven’t been with a woman since before the shooting, and in the hospital every cell in my body was screened. But there is another matter…. Are you taking pills...
The one thing she had learned was that to be tolerated and endured was less dignified than being hated. And it was infinitely more painful.
She must have wanted to kill you for bringing an old girlfriend’s baby home. Pretty much, Paul said. Mom, I liked Terri, but it wasn’t out of affection for her that I took Hannah home. Have you held t...
She loved watching John—his movements so slow and steady, confident. And to talk with him in the evening after closing, even for a while, was like a reward. The sound of his voice as he read to her so...
She could feel Cameron move up behind her; the warmth of his body was right there, though he didn’t touch her. Then one hand caressed her upper arm while the other pulled her hair away from her ear. T...
Shame on you, she said to Jack. I’m sorry, Melinda. But someone had to knock the shit out of this asshole at least once, and if Preacher had done that, this idiot would never walk again. Well, if you...
People belong wherever they feel good. It can be a lot of different places. For a lot of different reasons.
My God, thank you for bringing her. It’s like a trip into the past. Hannah looks just like her. My sweet little Terri. And Vanni was reminded, not for the first time, that the loss of a child is proba...
Let me stay over, he said. No. I have things to get ready for tomorrow. I teach a couple of classes on Monday and Thursday mornings and keep office hours for students in the afternoons. Then I work my...
Jack scowled blackly as Nick came up behind her. He couldn’t see what was happening through the crowd, but he noted that a smile grew on Nick’s face just as Mel’s chin rose up, her eyes grew round and...