“But when two people feel something, they ought to respect that enough to figure it out”

“When somebody walks out, it leaves a hole in you. Some people fill it up, the good and the bad, and get on that way. Some people leave it open, maybe long enough to heal, maybe too long, picking at it now and then so it doesn't heal all the way.”

“That's possible to likely. We're involved, you and me. I'm telling you what I'm going to do because I figure when people are involved, when they matter, they tell each other.”

“You said you survived, Anna, but you didn't. You triumphed. Everything about you is a testament to courage and strength."When she stared at him, obviously stunned, he smiled a little. "You didn't get either from a social worker or a counselor. They just helped you figure out how to use it. I figure you got it from your mother. She must have been a hell of a woman.""She was," Anna murmured, near tears again."So are you.”

“Clever enough when it suits you, aren’t you?”“I have my moments. That cat’s out,” he continued as he took his own jacket from the hook. “Take no pity on him should he come scratching at the door. Bub knew what he was when he insisted on moving out here with me.”“Did you remember to feed him?”“I’m not a complete moron.” Unoffended, he wrapped a scarf around his neck. “He has food enough, and if he didn’t, he’d go begging at your kitchen door. He’d do that anyway, just to shame me.”

“I feel something for you, some dangerous thing, some volatile thing.”

“Kate studied the clipboard and the pocket calculator on the floor."Did you figure out how to work that thing?""You don't have to be a CPA to use a calculator.""I meant the clipboard.""Ha ha.”