1
" That’s when she saw him. Standing there on the edge of the cliff in his rain-slicked duster and weathered Stetson. She stared, numb inside. Partly from being back in this spot again, but mostly from seeing him here, now. The certainty of her decision began to sway inside her, but looking at him, loving him the way she did, she determined to follow through. James walked toward her. Handsome hardly began to describe him, especially with that half grin slowly edging up one side of his mouth. “Beg your pardon, ma’am. But do you need some help getting your luggage down?” “What are you doing here? How did you—” He pulled an envelope from his pocket. She recognized her handwriting. It was the envelope she’d mailed last night. Or thought she’d mailed. Ben Mullins . . . “I got a special delivery around midnight.” He stepped closer, the blue of his eyes turning more so in the sunlight. “Ben had a pretty good tussle with his conscience, but he finally decided this was something I might need to see before Monday.” He gave her a scolding look. “He was right. "
― Tamera Alexander , Beyond This Moment (Timber Ridge Reflections, #2)
5
" If there’s anything you want to know about me, Molly Whitcomb, all you have to do is ask.” He’d guessed the statement might catch her by surprise, maybe even encourage a giggle. But he’d guessed wrong. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. He was tempted to offer an apology, but something within him held back the words. Watching her, he sensed a hurt he wished he could do something about. Heal, in some way. Or at least help shoulder. If she’d only trust him enough to tell him what it was. She laughed softly and sniffed. “Always so direct.” “Not always,” he whispered, wishing she would offer him the same invitation he’d given her—to ask her anything he wanted. He would ask about her husband, how he’d died, when they’d gotten married, what kind of life they’d had together, and if the pain he sensed from her now was from a past hurt, or a present one. "
― Tamera Alexander , Beyond This Moment (Timber Ridge Reflections, #2)