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" My gramma used to say, ‘Hold them whenever you can, Ellie. Touch and the sound of your voice is everything.’ And even now, when my kids are so big, it still seems to matter to them. Another thing she used to say was, ‘All you really need to tell them is that you love them no matter what and that you wanted them.’ Being wanted is very important in life. I don’t think my mother wanted me, but my gramma did, and she told me all the time that I was her blessing, her dream come true.” Ellie "
― Robyn Carr , Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8)
103
" George, meet Ellie Baldwin, pastor’s assistant. Ellie, meet George Davenport, my best friend and mentor.” A slow smile spread over George’s face. He took Ellie’s hand, raising the back of her fingers to his lips. He bent and brushed a kiss on them. “Ellie, it’s an honor. I retired too soon—I had no idea the assistants would be so beautiful down the road.” “Nice to meet you, Mr….” “Pastor Davenport,” Noah corrected. “Retired, but still a preacher.” She smiled. “A pleasure, Your Worship,” she said. Noah laughed at George’s look of surprise. “She doesn’t mean it, George. She’s extremely disrespectful. And unrepentant.” “Then you’ll do penance by sitting through dinner with us,” George said. “I can’t wait to try that little place next door, the one Noah’s been bragging about. Come, Ellie, stay close to me. I want to know how you like working for this reprobate.” “It’s hell, Your Reverence.” * "
― Robyn Carr , Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8)
104
" You should probably go now, before you dig your hole any deeper.” And with a voice as smooth as silk, a half smile on his lips, he faced Brie down and said, “And just who do you think you are, ordering me out?” Jack’s hand came down on the bar hard, clamping over Arnold’s wrist, and he glared into the man’s eyes. Jack’s eyes glittered. Jack hated this kind of cheap, sissy maneuver—trashing the girl to the town behind her back. He might not know exactly what was going on, but he knew this guy was wrong and Ellie was an okay kid. All he was lacking were the facts. “That’s my little sister, asshole. And your fifteen minutes of fame are up. You’re leaving.” Arnold "
― Robyn Carr , Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8)
107
" George appeared in the bedroom doorway, dressed, perky and grinning. “Well, good morning,” George said cheerfully. Noah made a face. “If we had married, it wouldn’t have worked,” Noah grumbled. “What in God’s name gets you up so damn early?” George laughed. “I don’t know what it is—when I was younger, I liked sleeping through the sunrise, liked staying up late. Somewhere along the line, that changed. I might be a lot happier in the morning if someone didn’t take up most of the bed,” he said, peering at Lucy. "
― Robyn Carr , Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8)
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" Don’t even think about it,” she said. He grinned in spite of himself. “Come on, Ellie. You can’t make me not think about it.” “I’m not getting mixed up with someone like you. First of all, I’m all wrong for someone like you. Second, I’m clearing out the second I have my kids. Third…” She paused. “I don’t need a third. That’s good enough. Don’t ever do that again.” “I haven’t kissed a woman like that in quite a while,” he said. “That was nice. Are you angry?” he asked. “Did I taste angry?” He just smiled. “You tasted wonderful. You’re right—it’s not such a good idea. Well, I mean, it is a good idea. But I see the potential for disaster.” She pulled away and put a hand against her wild curls as if to smooth her hair into place. The hand trembled a bit; he’d never seen her rattled before. “You’re just going to get yourself in trouble with the Big Guy, and there’s no point in making your life tougher.” “Nah, God’s not opposed to kissing. I think employers taking advantage of employees, however, could put a big black mark on the minus side of my chart. But you liked it,” he said. “You did. And I liked it. It felt pretty consensual to me.” “I’m not the kind of woman a man like you gets interested in, and we both know that. Eventually that could hurt me. And if you really are a nice guy, hurting me will hurt you.” “Because of that dancing thing?” he asked. “That dancing thing, and I’m poor, undereducated, strapped with kids and very, very temporary.” “Wait now,” he said. “I’m not trying to make an argument for interest, because you might be right—it might be a mistake that could get out of control. But you’re smart, no matter how much or little formal education you have. And I don’t believe you see your kids as a liability, and you know I don’t—I like them. And you won’t always be poor, not with your ambition and positive attitude.” He smiled gently. “The dancing doesn’t matter a damn. I understand about that.” “I don’t want to be your bad girl. The one you take chances with for a little walk on the wild side. To break a few rules, have a little sinful fun.” “Ellie, there’s not a bad bone in your body. And we both know it.” “That isn’t really the point, Your Holiness…” “Okay, let’s be rational. I apologize, I won’t do it again, but really—it was just a kiss.” “Not the way you do it,” she said. "
― Robyn Carr , Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8)
115
" Then why?” she asked. “Why did you get yourself that terrible reputation? I can tell you’re crazy about Jo. You’d be lost without her, I know you would.” “You’re right. And I don’t know why. Lonely, maybe. Cross because I wasn’t getting my way? A couple of times I thought maybe Jo would be jealous and—” He shrugged. “It really doesn’t matter. It’s been a long time since I did anything as stupid as make a pass, and that’s when I almost came up against Jack Sheridan. Whew,” he said, shaking his head. “That was years ago, and if Mel hadn’t put me straight right quick, Jack would have killed me. That was before they were together, you know. But Mel was already his woman in his eyes.” He glanced over his shoulder again and smiled sheepishly at Ellie. “You’re old enough to know this, Ellie. Men can be very stupid.” She "
― Robyn Carr , Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #8)
