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" We’re going to get you in and settled before the baby. I’m going to do everything I can to make this easy for you.” He shrugged. “If I could carry the baby for you, I would.” He grinned. “Thank God I can’t. But after this little one is born, I’m going to do whatever I have to do to be sure you have time to enjoy your kids. We’ll try my method of birth control instead of yours next time. I miss your joy. Your smile.” “I smile,” she protested. “You’ve been pretty cranky.” “Jack, I’m sorry, darling. It’s not you…. It’s me. I feel like an idiot. I feel like one of those teenage girls who come to me already five months pregnant without a clue because they didn’t want it to be so. It’s pretty embarrassing, given my profession. I really, really thought David was a miracle, and the only miracle I’d have. People like me shouldn’t have that kind of denial. I don’t know what possessed me….” “Do you have any idea how much I love you? Mel, I’d never do anything to hurt you, make you uncomfortable.” He smiled. “I just can’t keep my hands off you.” “I know, Jack,” she said. “The hell of it is, I can’t resist you.” “So—the only problem we have is that you’re way more fertile than you thought. We can work with that. Kiss me.” She "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" We’ll pick a night this week to have you, Vanessa and her family and all your guys for dinner at the bar. Right, Jack?” “You got it. Anything you want.” She grinned. “I like it when he says that. Did he happen to tell you the news?” “What news?” Paul asked dumbly. She gave him a playful whack on the arm. “Stop it—I know you know. It’s why you’re here.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “If I know, it’s because you’re glowing. Again.” “I’m not so sure about that,” she said. “I’m pea-green until about nine in the morning.” “Right after which, she glows,” Jack agreed. “Nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman,” Paul said. “Oh, brother,” she said. “You do good work,” Paul said to Jack. “Yeah… And if I ever find out who gave her those shoes…” Jack added with a laugh, which earned him a dirty look that amused both men beyond good sense. * "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" Is there anything between us?” “Oh, I think there’s much.” “Tell me…” “Well, I am determined to do anything I can to be there for you, and you are determined to break my heart. That heart-breaking business, it’s very serious.” She laughed at him. She felt his head drop forward to her shoulder and nuzzle her hair. A hand on her upper left arm gently squeezed and he said, “Brie… Tu creas un fuego en mi corazón.” Brie, you create a fire in my heart. She straightened a bit, but didn’t pull away. “What did you say?” she whispered. “You are lovely. You touch my heart,” he answered, pulling her back against him again. He slipped an arm around her waist gently, tenderly, cautiously holding her against him, very careful that she not feel confined. “Tu debes sentir estas manos amorosas así a ti.” You should feel loving hands on you. Her heart beat a little faster and she knew that it was not fear she felt. She wanted to say, “Deja a que sean sus manos.” Let them be your hands. But she wasn’t ready. Instead, she said, “Your language is beautiful.” “Te tengo en mis brazos,” he said. I will hold you in my arms. “Tell me what you said,” she urged him. “Nothing, really. Just an endearment. It is a very romantic language.” She could tell him now she spoke his language fluently, that she knew he lied. But she didn’t want to break the spell he had created in thinking she couldn’t understand him. He spoke his heart while he thought she was innocent of his desires. “Say something to me—something heartfelt,” she said, not turning around. He touched the hair at her temple, threading his fingers into it. “Te querido más te de lo tu hubieras.” I have wanted you for longer than you know. She let her eyes close. “What did you say?” she asked in a whisper. “You deserve all happiness,” he said—he lied. A small smile floated across her face. She was on to him. “No te merezco.” I don’t deserve you. “Te quiero en mi vida.” I want you in my life. “I think you seduce women with your language.” “When you are with me, you should know that I care about you as much as I care about any of my sisters. Or my mother, who is queen of the world.” She laughed a little. “I’m not sure that was entirely flattering.” “I want you to believe you are completely safe and protected when you’re with me. I promise you, you have nothing to fear from me. Not ever.” “I think you’re manipulating me.” “Do you, now?” he asked, humor in his voice. “You’re luring me into a false sense of security, trying to trick me so I forget my plan to break your heart a hundred times.” He laughed, stroking that long mane of hair that floated down her back. “I know you’re a very determined woman, and if breaking my heart is your goal, you won’t rest until it’s done.” “I’m going to make mincemeat out of you,” she said. “I have no doubt.” She "
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" She leaned toward him and put her lips softly against his. Her kiss was very tentative. Brief. Cautionary. “I suppose I’ll have to lure you into my confidence first.” “A good idea,” he said, aware that his voice had become husky. “Tienes labios que gritan besame.” You have lips that scream kiss me. And he slowly, carefully, leaned toward her. He touched her mouth, drawing her lower lip between his lips sweetly, sensuously. He wanted to put his hands on her, but he was unsure what she could tolerate. He let one large hand touch her waist delicately, but he didn’t apply pressure and didn’t pull her to him. “I think I like this—being drawn into your confidence. I knew the heart-breaking would be something to look forward to.” “I didn’t know I could do this,” she said a little breathlessly. “I knew,” he said. “I told you. It was just a matter of time.” “You’re going to get us into trouble….” “No, Brie. There’s no trouble here, no problem. Everything is all right.” “You sound overconfident.” “I’m not worried about anything,” he said. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” “You’re not trying for an upset? Trying to break my heart before I can break yours?” “Estas en mi corazón.” You are my heart. “Go ahead. Do your worst. I’m strong. I welcome the pain.” “Kiss me,” she said. “Kiss me one time, as though you don’t find me breakable.” “Oh.” He chuckled, a husky sound. “Are you sure you mean that?” “Just once,” she said, her voice a breath. He "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" What are you doing here?” He pushed his Rio Concho back on his head. “Checking in. How are you this morning?” She tossed the towel onto the Adirondack chair and came down the porch steps toward him. “Fine. Very fine.” “You look fifteen,” he said, feeling every one of his thirty-seven years. She took a step closer and he put his hands on her waist; she put her hands on his forearms and looked up at him. He twisted his hands at her waist, wiggling her a little closer. Then his arms went around her waist and he lifted her up so that her face was level to his. Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders. “I missed you,” he said. “I was thinking about you.” “Is that so? Are you coming on to me?” “Brie, I’ve been coming on to you for six months,” he said. “How’m I doing?” “You’re pretty obvious.” “I can’t help that. I have no savoir faire.” She laughed at him and plucked the hat off his head, holding it behind him. “I think you have more than you deserve. Enough to be dangerous.” “With you I’m an innocent.” He touched her lips lightly with his. Tentatively. “My days of being dangerous to women are over.” “Is that so? And when did that happen?” He gave a shrug. “A few months ago I began to lose interest in other women. A few weeks ago, it was over. There is only one.” “You’re wooing me.” “I’m trying, yes.” “If you mean business, you should kiss me,” she said. “Oh, I was hoping you would say that.” He covered her mouth with a passionate kiss, holding her close against him. "
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" He pulled her to him and she leaned into him, resting her head on his chest, her arms around his waist. He held her like that, both of them quiet for a long time, just enjoying the closeness. He stroked her back and dropped soft kisses onto her damp hair, feeling more alive than he had in such a long, long time. It filled him with pride that she didn’t tense or tremble while he held her. She had slowly become accustomed to his touch, his embrace, and knew that she was safe and loved in his arms. Even if nothing more ever came, he felt he had already won the prize. “You "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" Would you like to come inside?” “No.” He smiled. “You’re not really ready for me to come inside.” “You make me wonder what I’m ready for.” She kissed him again. Deeply and passionately. “When you no longer wonder, we’ll talk,” he whispered against her lips. “You could take advantage of my weakness,” she said. He put her back on her feet and put a soft kiss on her forehead. “There will be no taking, mi amor. Only giving.” “Oh, my. I can see why women would marry you so easily.” He touched her nose. “Brie, it was never like this.” “I don’t believe you,” she said. “I wouldn’t believe me either, but it’s true.” He "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" Hey, Preach,” Mel said. “Where’s Jack?” “Eureka.” “How about Mike?” “It’s not my day to watch him,” he said gruffly, going back to the kitchen. “Jeez,” Mel said. She looked at Paige and met twinkling eyes. “Something funny?” “John appears to be a little tense. Amazing he got through so many years without sex every day.” “Every day?” Mel asked. “Well, holy shit, his count must be down to nothing!” She looked over her shoulder to make sure they were alone. “How’s he handling the drought?” “He’s a little testy,” Paige said, amused. “I keep telling him this is entirely up to him. If it’s too much, we can make a few adjustments. But he wants to do it right.” “Hope he doesn’t explode,” Mel said absently. “He asked if we can close the bar on ovulation day.” Mel’s eyes widened in surprise and they both melted into laughter. * "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" Why the long face? Aren’t you having fun?” “I hate hunting. I can handle ducks, but not deer. I mean, I don’t want to pass judgment—I just wish my husband didn’t shoot deer.” “Oh, Mel, don’t worry. I’ve been hunting with your husband—the deer are completely safe.” “Melinda, we’ll have venison all winter. You’ll love it,” Jack said. “Don’t worry, Mel,” Paul whispered. “He’ll never get a thing. They can smell him coming.” Some "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
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" When they got back to town the hunters had returned and Mel was delighted to see no evidence of murdered wildlife in the truck beds or tied to roofs. But her elation was short-lived, because once inside the bar she learned that they had bagged two bucks, four-by-fours, both of which had already been taken to the meat processor to be butchered. “Oh,” she whined emotionally. “Who did it?” Jack looked at his feet. But he made an attempt. “I think Ricky did it.” Mel met Rick’s eyes and the boy put up two hands, palms toward her. It wasn’t him. Mel leaned against her husband and, unbelievably, started to cry. Jack shook his head, put an arm around her and led her away from the gathering, back toward the kitchen. As he did so, David was bouncing up and down on Mel’s hip, waving his arms wildly and reaching for his dad. “Melinda,” Jack said. “You knew we were going hunting. We didn’t torture the deer. We’re going to have venison.” “I hate it,” she sniveled. “I know you hate it, but it’s not a cruel thing. It’s probably more humane than the way cattle are slaughtered.” “Don’t try to make me feel better about this.” “Jesus, I wouldn’t dare,” he said. “What’s wrong with you?” “I don’t know,” she whimpered. “I’m weepy.” “No shit. Here, let me have him. He’s out of his mind.” “Sugar,” she said. “I should go nurse him.” “He’s going to be riding his bike up to the breast before long.” “He doesn’t want to give it up.” “Understandable. But you’re worn out. Maybe you should go home and go to bed.” “I don’t sleep till he sleeps. And he isn’t going to sleep until he detoxes.” “All right,” Jack said, taking his son. “Go cry or wash your face or nap or something. I’ll hang on to the wild one until he calms down a little.” He kissed her forehead. “This really isn’t like you. Not even over deer.” “By the way, you smell really bad,” she said. “Thank you, my love. You smell really good. I’ll wash this off before I smell the rest of you, how’s that?” She "
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" So—you make that baby today?” someone yelled at Preacher. “I believe I did,” he said, sticking his chest out. Paige brought a big platter of wings out to the bar and said, “John, shut up.” “Well, I believe I did. Don’t you?” She looked up at him, shook her head in disgust and said, “You certainly did your best,” and turned to walk back into the kitchen. Mike "
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" Mike,” she said softly. “I’m going home tomorrow.” He pulled back, stunned. He stared at her, a million questions in his eyes. “Were you going to say goodbye?” he asked. “I am saying goodbye,” she answered. “I have to spend some time with my family, and Mel and Jack need some family time—without a visitor.” “Will you be back?” he asked. “Oh, I’m sure I will, eventually.” She shrugged. “I don’t know yet where I want to be. Or what I want to do.” “I had tricked myself into thinking it might be here,” he said. “It was nothing you did or said, my love, just crazy hope. Is it all right that I call you while you’re there? Maybe visit once or twice?” “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. Hardly a day has gone by that we haven’t talked.” He "
― Robyn Carr , Whispering Rock (Virgin River, #3)
