" Shelby came back,” he said. Silence answered him. “She did?” Muriel finally asked in a shocked breath. “Yes, ma’am. And apparently Luke did enough groveling to satisfy her, because she’s moved in with him. And this morning he paid me a visit, asked my permission to propose.” “Get out of town! Did you grant it?” “No. I told him to go to hell. I should have just shot him. I told him that.” “Oh, you’d like me to believe you’re that kind of bully, wouldn’t you?” “The silly girl seems to love him. And you should see him. Whipped into shape that fast. I bet if we pulled up his shirt, there would be lash marks all over his back. He’s limp as a noodle.” “I bet he’s not,” she said with a laugh. “Well, good for Shelby. That maneuver never worked for me. When I stomped off into the night, they just said, ‘Okay, bah-bye.’” “What’s "

― Robyn Carr , Paradise Valley (Virgin River, #7)