Denise Hunter Quotes & Sayings

He's not my boyfriend. We only went out a few times, you know." She leaned back against the car door. "Besides, I ended things recently - not sure if you heard." He leaned forward, his arms on both sides of her, a smug smile forming. "Oh yeah? Why's that?" She held back a grin. "Well, see, some other guy kissed me, so . . ." She left off with a shrug. His lips twitched. "And you liked it." "Maybe." He leaned closer. "In fact, you liked it so much, you want him to kiss you again." "I might not turn him down. — Denise Hunter

She was going to kill him. As soon as this was over. As soon as the crowd left. She would tighten that bolo tie until his face went tomato red. No. She would hold him under the falls until he begged for mercy. — Denise Hunter

He forked his fingers through his hair, clutching fistfuls until his scalp tightened. He'd been confused until she'd looked at him, until he'd seen the look in her eyes. And then he knew. She was afraid. Afraid because he made her feel things, things she hadn't felt with Stephen or probably anyone else, because this was real love. Not some tepid, watered-down version. But Meridith wanted tepid. She wanted safe. His — Denise Hunter

I'm not ready for you to go." His voice was thick and smoky. — Denise Hunter

He thought of their kiss - had it really been two days ago? The image of Zac's kiss barreled into his mind. When everyone had filtered into the dining room for cinnamon rolls, Beau had confiscated the mistletoe. If anyone was getting another kiss from Kate, it was going to be him. — Denise Hunter

Woman, you're killing me. — Denise Hunter

Your identity doesn't come from your address. — Denise Hunter

I can't believe you did this." He leaned close, his warm breath stirring the hair at her temple. "It's going to cost you." She stifled a smile, remembering their bet and the subsequent payout. "And I'm not settling for a kiss this time," he said. "Oh yeah?" "Yeah." He leaned in and feathered her lips with a kiss. "But we'll start there and see where it goes." Her smile quickly faded as he kissed her again, and soon all she heard was the beating of her own heart. — Denise Hunter

Talk to me." She shrugged. "Nothing to say." "You're strung tighter'n these wires." "You scared me, is all." He hooked a finger under her jaw, turning her face. "It's more'n that." She pulled away. "You haven't exactly been Mr. Easygoing lately either, you know." He was quiet so long she almost looked at him. Almost. In the quiet, she could feel her pulse throbbing in her neck. "Reckon you're right," he said. She could count on one hand the times she'd heard that from a man. One finger. "It's harder than I thought." "What is?" she asked, then pressed her lips together, suddenly sure she didn't want to know. "Loving you. — Denise Hunter

He tasted like chocolate, smelled like heaven, and felt like home. How — Denise Hunter

Take off your shoes," Jake said after the kids disappeared up the stairs. Meridith eyed her leather loafers. For some reason, she was reluctant to part with them. Not to mention she needed every inch of height. "You're still wearing yours." "I'm not planning on trampling your feet." She removed her shoes and set them by the wall, taking her time. "You want something to drink? I made coffee. Or there's always tea or soda if you prefer." He tucked the corner of his lip. "No, thanks. You want to come closer? I can't teach you from over there." She inched closer. "I'm really bad." "So you said." He gestured to the blue box. "We'll start with a basic box step. Ballroom dancing is counted off like this: one-two-three, one-two-three. Max said he knows how to lead, so I'll teach you to follow." "Good luck with that." "Stand — Denise Hunter

You're not getting sick as much, you said. Maybe she wouldn't notice." "But my stomach." Jade put her hand on her belly. "Twins, remember? I swear I'm growing by the hour." He pulled her into his side, loving the soft feel of her against him. "You're right. Besides, there's the glow." "What glow?" "The pregnancy glow. You have it." "I do not." He nudged her playfully. "You're practically a neon sign." "Stop it." Ah, but he'd made her smile. Why did that make him feel like a million bucks? Like he could buy the world twice over with that smile. Of — Denise Hunter

She'd only gotten what she deserved.
No penance could wash away her sins.
Not really. — Denise Hunter

He wondered what part of Meridith's childhood had left her afraid of something as natural and necessary as love. Was it her mother's mental illness? T. J.'s leaving her? If she'd only open up to him, maybe he could help her sort it out. He was a patient man. He'd wait her out, love her until she realized he was safe. But she was unwilling to try. Wanted to run as far and fast as she could from what he offered. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't make her try, force her to shed her fears. If only he could make her see what she was missing. But he was running out of time. He was nearly finished with the house, had two weeks, tops, if she didn't kick him out first. And soon after that she was leaving the island. And — Denise Hunter

For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? — Denise Hunter

It's fear that makes an act courageous. — Denise Hunter

We have to be more careful," she said. "I don't have the time or energy for a broken heart." He felt a squeeze in his chest. "I wasn't planning to break your heart, Kate." Her eyes fell to the floor before rising back to his. "Nobody ever does." A fist tightened in his gut as he watched her retreat. He stood there for a long time, her words hitting hard, sinking deep. She'd been let down by a lot of people, and his name wasn't going to be added to the list. — Denise Hunter

So...what do you want to do?"
He didn't even have to think about it.
"Kiss you again. — Denise Hunter

Sometimes we have to find the courage to take off our shoes and feel it all. Even the bad stuff. — Denise Hunter

Mercy, but he smelled good. All piney and musky and manly. There should be a law. — Denise Hunter

Maybe he should go after her. Maybe he hadn't tried hard enough. Maybe she was missing him as much as he missed her. Finding her would be a challenge, but that had never stopped him before. Surely she'd left a forwarding address with the post office. But no. That's what her psycho, controlling late husband would have done: hunt her down. She needed to be free to make her own choice. And she had. — Denise Hunter

One day at a time. Maybe it wasn't such bad advice. Despite what she'd learned in childhood, change could be good, right? If she could just let loose and let it happen. The thought sent a tremor of fear through her. She'd learned early to hold on tightly, to control her surroundings, her feelings. But control didn't buy safety. She couldn't even control her feelings, much less anything else. Control was a false foundation that crumbled and left her vulnerable. She didn't need to control. She needed to let go and trust God, and that was hard. But he was her new foundation. She pictured it beneath her, solid and unwavering. It would be okay. — Denise Hunter

He didn't want to share his life with a couple stinky cowboys. He wanted Shay back. He wanted them to be a family, Shay, Olivia, and him. He wanted to share Shay's bed, to wake up and see her face every morning for the rest of his life. He wanted to hear Olivia call for "Dad" again and know she was calling for him. — Denise Hunter

Her eyes slid to Daniel. His fingers did a fast hunt-and-peck across the keyboard as his brows furrowed. The glow of the screen lit his face in the inadequately lit room. He had a nice profile. Long dark lashes that swept up and down as he typed, the perfect sized nose, a strong jaw, freshly shaven. His lips were nice too. Gently rounded peaks, set far apart. His lower lip was generous. Good kissing lips. He pursed them now. Jade jerked her eyes away. What are you doing, Jade? That's Daniel. She'd never noticed his nose or his long lashes, to say nothing of his lips - or had thoughts of kissing them. It was the hormones. They were doing weird things to her. Making her think crazy thoughts. Thoughts — Denise Hunter

So it takes two counts of three to complete the box. Why don't you try it?" "Okay." She went to the start position and proceeded slowly. "One. Two. Three." And then she was stuck. "Left foot forward." "One. Two. Three." "There you go. That's all there is to it." She gave a wry grin. "Except ten times faster and in sync with a dance partner." "Exactly. Do it again." "Tyrant." "What's that?" "Nothing. — Denise Hunter

Everything okay?" Jake appeared at her side. "Would you stop sneaking up on me?" she said, unwilling to admit that the insanely loud washing machine may have disguised his entrance. He — Denise Hunter

Unable to bear the silence, she looked over her shoulder. Seth was leaning against the door, arms crossed, watching her, an enigmatic smile on his face. The golden glow of the lamplight washed over his face, highlighting his five o'clock shadow. She was suddenly aware that her hair had come loose from her ponytail. That her worn jeans and T-shirt were probably smudged with who-knew-what. This wasn't how she'd imagined looking when Seth kissed her. Why hadn't she done something with herself while he was gone? But judging by the look on his face, he didn't care about any of that. No longer needing the fire's warmth, she moved away, lifting her chin and tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. "What?" "I won," he said quietly. "Won what?" Did he hear the tremor in her voice? His lips twitched. "Our deal . . . sleigh by midnight . . . the kiss . . . Ring any bells? — Denise Hunter

Why didn't you ask me out?" Layla blurted, suddenly needing to know. She bit the inside of her lip, cursing her impulsive tongue. Her heart beat erratically, thumping hard against her ribs. "Two summers ago when we volunteered at the theater? I kept thinking you might." His hands paused on a spool of twine as he looked at her, his eyes somber. "I wanted to. But I was coming off a difficult relationship - I needed some time." Regret laced his voice. "Chloe Peterson." He nodded. She'd seen them around town for about a year. The grapevine claimed she'd cheated on him with Chris Geiger, but who knew? "I was about to ask you out," he said. "But before I could ... " "Jack." His eyes skimmed over her face. "You have no idea how many times I've regretted waiting." Her face warmed under his perusal. Her pulse skittered. "Wonder what would've happened." One corner of his lips tipped up as a look of serenity passed over his face, displacing the regret. "Who knows. Maybe we'd be engaged for real. — Denise Hunter

She wanted to smack the cocksure grin right off his face. — Denise Hunter

She folded her arms against the chill in the air, and he noticed again how little she was. Barely to his shoulders. Her chutzpah made him forget her small stature. Her chin was a pixielike triangle, and her eyes were like a shadowed forest. Deep. Mysterious. "Well. Good night," she said. What was he thinking? He cleared his throat. "Night." As he retrieved the ladder and carried it to his truck, he reminded himself of all the reasons why he shouldn't be noticing her hair or her chin and most definitely not her deep-green eyes. — Denise Hunter

He cupped her face, his eyes mingling with hers. "Stay," he whispered. "Please." She could deny him nothing when he looked at her that way. When he spoke to her that way. They'd stay for a week. Just one more week. What would it hurt? — Denise Hunter

When I sit up here ... I'm just blown away God even notices us ... — Denise Hunter

That was something, wasn't it? Trust was a good place to start. Especially after the kind of betrayal she'd been through. It made him want to prove he was the kind of man she deserved. The kind of man who'd love her for better or worse. The kind who was faithful and true. — Denise Hunter

Got an idea," Travis called from the kitchen. "No." If he thought he was taking her out tonight, he had another think coming. "Shoot, woman, hear me out. Fishing. Bass are biting up by Boulder Pass." She hadn't fished in a month of Sundays. "Says who?" "Jacob Whitehorse." Travis appeared in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. "Said he took home enough for a week of suppers. What d'ya say? — Denise Hunter

Get some ice on that." "I will." She turned toward the house, steady enough. "You get nauseated or have blurry vision, tell Greta." Abigail started to nod, then checked the motion. He hoped she wouldn't overdo it. He'd known one too many cowboys to take a fall, keep working, then keel over later. "Lie down and take it easy," Wade called. "Yes, Dad," Abigail said saucily. Wade clamped his lips together. Last thing he wanted was Abigail thinking fatherly thoughts of him. Heaven knew, his own weren't going that direction. — Denise Hunter

What the heck. He'd gone this far, might as well go for broke. He slid his fingers along the curve of her cheek, relishing the softness of her skin.

"I haven't felt so happy in... I can't even remember — Denise Hunter

And you thought you'd honk Shay off real good by asking the man at the top of her Most Hated list." "She doesn't hate you." "Could've fooled me." "Well, you haven't fooled anybody, least of all me." Miss Lucy's eyes, magnified by the bottle glasses, narrowed knowingly. Travis looked toward the darkening sky and clamped his jaw. "Don't know what you're talking about." "Don't be contrary with me, Travis McCoy. I've known you since you were running around this place in nothing but a diaper. You're still in love with Shay. — Denise Hunter

Promise me you won't leave without telling me." "I'm not planning on it." That wasn't the answer he needed. His eyes pierced hers. "Promise me." The furrows between her brows deepened as she took a step back. "I can't do that. I don't know what's going to happen. I'll do whatever's best for Jack and me. That's the only promise I can make. — Denise Hunter

I can't reach the stirrups," Abigail said. "Don't need to. Scoot forward and make room." He put his foot in the stirrup. "For what?" Swinging his leg over, he settled behind Abigail. "Oh." She squirmed forward, but only got so far. She finally settled in the cradle of his thighs in a way he found most disturbing. — Denise Hunter

You can call me Seth, you know." She shrugged. "You used to." She used to do other things with him too. Like laugh and touch and make small talk. "Jack always called you Murphy. I got used to it. — Denise Hunter

I can't do this." She opened her eyes. "I can't do this, Beau." "Why not?" "This can't . . . go anywhere. I'll be leaving soon and - " "So don't. Don't go." She pushed away, and his arms fell. "I have to. It won't be safe here forever. — Denise Hunter

Jake's helping her." "Good luck with that." Max scooped another helping of corn. "Just needs a little coaxing is all," Jake said. Max shrugged. "I think you're wasting your time. Dad tried that already, and she wouldn't budge." "She's too afraid," Ben said. Meridith's eyes darted to Jake's face, just a quick look. But Jake was looking back, and the quick look stretched into long seconds. "I'm a patient man." His brown eyes warmed under her gaze. The double meaning kick-started Meridith's heart. She couldn't drag her eyes away until she felt warmth climbing her cheeks. Meridith — Denise Hunter

His hat nudged her forehead, tipping back as he deepened the kiss and drew her closer. His jaw was rough against her palm, and she savored the feel of it before slipping her fingers through the soft waves at his nape and straight up through the back of his hair. His hat hit the ground. "Abby . . ." he whispered. It was a plea, and she gladly answered it with her mouth. She loved the raspy drawl of her shortened name on his lips. — Denise Hunter

Honey, what happened to your arm?" Rita frowned, reached over, and ran her fingers across the bruises. "Both of them!" she added, noticing the other arm. The sleeves of her cover-up had ridden up. Meridith pulled them down. "Oh. It's nothing. A guest caught me by surprise last night." "What? Did he attack you, Meridith?" "Sort of, but Jake came and, well, kind of punched him, and everything's fine now." "Jake . . . ?" "The contractor I told you about." "Oh, right. Thank God he was there! Did you call the police?" "No. Jake booted him and his friends from the house." "But are you okay? You must have been terrified!" Meridith nodded. "I was. I was so relieved when Jake showed up. It was late at night, and I was alone on the beach - won't do that again." She gave a dry laugh. "I'm just glad you're okay. This Jake guy seems like quite the hero." She'd only vocalized what Meridith had been thinking. "We're lucky to have him around. — Denise Hunter

She'd stared at the darkened ceiling half the night wondering about what Murphy had said. Turning the comment every which way. And every way she turned it, she ended up with the same view: Murphy had feelings for her. She couldn't believe he might love her - though his answer to Dad's question suggested otherwise. And she definitely wasn't about to address the subject with him. Last night had been awkward enough. — Denise Hunter

Would you like to dance?" She arched a delicate brow. "With you?" He reached for his drink. "I'll take that as a no." "Feel free to ask someone else, Murphy." He wasn't leaving her now, even if he wanted to dance with someone else - and he didn't. — Denise Hunter

Life is a gift, however long it lasts. It's God's to give and take away as He sees fit. We go through life thinking we're entitled to our ninety, but we're not entitled to anything. All we can do is trust that He knows what He's doing. That He has a plan for all of us, and that no pain He allows in our life will go unused. — Denise Hunter

Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?" "Only about a dozen times." He turned her in his arms and took her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheeks. Their breath mingled together. "It's true. You're beautiful and amazing, and I love you so much. I'm the luckiest man in the world." She turned a kiss into his palm. "I love you too. I'm going to make you the happiest husband ever." "I already am." The — Denise Hunter

Mistletoe." Aunt Trudy pointed at the ceiling above Kate and Zac. "Lay one on her, Zac." Beau's heart gave a hard squeeze as his brother made a big deal of sweeping Kate into his arms, dipping her backward, and laying a loud smooch on her cheek. He heard Aunt Trudy applauding and Jack giggling, but he couldn't tear his eyes off of Zac and Kate. He wanted to rip his brother's hands off of her. He reminded himself that it meant nothing. That Zac was still in love with Lucy. Kate's laughter was still ringing out when Zac brought her upright, embracing her in those gorilla arms of his. Beau gave him a shove. "All right, that's enough," he said in a tone that didn't quite reach playful. Zac cuffed him on the back of the head, his eyes twinkling. — Denise Hunter

I love you so much, Shay Brandenberger. I want you to be my wife because you choose to be, not because of some cockamamie accident. I want to love you the rest of your life. I want to be a father for Olivia . . ." He reached out and palmed the side of her belly, a tiny smile hitching up his lips. "A father for our child. — Denise Hunter

Founders Day tradition dictated a peck on the cheek, but Travis had never been a follower. He lowered his head and took advantage of her surprise. Her lips were soft as a rose petal and just as pliable. He'd meant it to be a quick, comforting brushing of lips, but then she responded. Just the faintest movement. The yielding lit a fire in his belly that wouldn't be extinguished anytime soon. He went back for seconds. I've missed you so much. He took her face in his hands, wanted to thread his fingers through that long thick hair and pull her closer. But then two palms planted into his chest and pushed hard. Her eyes spat sparks. She dragged the back of her hand across her lips as if wiping the kiss away. Won't be as easy as that, darlin'. — Denise Hunter

One night Shay heard the quiet murmur of his voice, punctuated by Olivia's giggles. She shuffled across the living room and listened around the corner. He was reading aloud to her, imitating each character's voice. Shay listened to his falsetto, a grin tugging her lips at the incongruity of a cowboy reading The Princess Diaries. — Denise Hunter

Why did Meridith have to be so stubborn? Why couldn't she just give him a chance? He knew they'd be amazing together. She'd opened her heart to the kids, admirably so. It couldn't have been easy accepting her father's other children, but she'd done it. Why couldn't she open her heart to him? — Denise Hunter

He had no idea what missing was. Missing was lying in the dampness of your tears night after night. Missing was a constant hollow spot in the center of your chest. Missing was a yawning ache that was never satisfied. — Denise Hunter

Josephine wasn't much for praying . It had never done her any good. — Denise Hunter