“Hardy Cates," I said, coming into the room, "you behave, or I'll step on your tube."The nurse seemed taken aback by my unsympathetic bedside manner. But Hardy's gaze met mine in a moment of bright, hot voltage, and he relaxed, reassured in a way that cooing sympathy could never have done. "That only works if it's a breathing tube," he told me.”

“It seemed to be a matter of general agreement that Hardy Cates was born for trouble, and sooner or later he would find it.”

“I think you could probably thaw out a glacier, honey." -Hardy Cates”

“I'd sell my soul to have you. In my whole life, you'll always be what I wanted most."~ Hardy Cates”

“Just you,' Hardy said when he got his breath back. 'All I want is you.”

“Roy received my comments with a forcedsmile. "Hardy, didn't I warn you not to date a woman who reads?"Hardy seemed amused by my outspokenness. "Keeps the arguing to a minimum," he replied. "No point in trying when I know she's going to win.”

“As Hardy Cates stood there looking at me, really seeing me for the first time, it felt like the whole world had been snatched up in a great unseen hand, its motion arrested.”