“What did you come for?" he murmured."For you.”

“His eyes widened. "You didn't go back to town, did you?""No. I went to church.""Ah, well. That explains it," he blurted. "I mean...well...Two hours of sermons is enough to dim anyone's sparkle.”

“I began to murmur the Lord's Prayer in thanks."Shit," Mrs. Parsall said.”

“I think I’d rather be branded than submit to some of the things that you have to.” He said this without spite, just a soft statement of fact. “I’m not strong enough to do that.”

“You have done well, Katie,” Frau Gerlach said. “You would make a fine midwife someday, if you ever wished to learn.”I cast my eyes down, exhausted and shy and afraid and proud all at once. “All I have managed so far is to be a midwife to the puppies.”She reached out to pat my cheek with a bloody hand. “God smiles on those who quietly do his dirty work, my girl.”

“I ran my fingers over the black ink. "They're holy to you."Alex flexed his fingers. "They are now.”

“For me, that was love. Tangible. Love was what was in front of me, not a distant fantasy.”