“Hasn’t anyone ever told you,” Jesse asked, in a semi-amused voice, “ that a gentleman never lays a hand on a lady?” Which I thought was kind of funny, considering where Jesse had had his hand the last time I’d seen him. But I thought it better to let that slide.”

“With that kind of shooting, I don't believe you'll be a slave to anyone ever again.” -Jesse to Cyrus.”

“She's had so little love, Jesse thought, I will drown her in it for the rest of her life.”

“MacKenzie surveyed the nearly finished quilt. "What's the name of this pattern, Mrs. King?" he asked."Princess Feather," Jesse answered.Taking LisBeth's hand in his own, MacKenzie asked, "Would it be presumptuous of me to ask if you had planned to add this quilt to LisBeth's hope chest?"Jesse looked up at the couple and grinned. "I could be persuaded to do that. But only if I was assured that her future husband was a man worthy of sharing such a gift.”

“Krampus's voice trailed off, he glanced at Jesse. Jesse's head lay on his shoulder, his eyes closed; there came no sign of breath."It appears I am talking to myself." Krampus crossed his arms atop his chest and grunted.”

“God I loved Sammy. I’d considered marrying him, but his wife got upset when I asked for his hand.”