“I saw you standing on a veranda you'd built with your own hands. And I loved you.”

“Stopthinking of yourself as a reflection of what a man saw in you, andbe. I asked you if it bothered you thatpeople will talk. I wish you'd said the hell with people. Let them talk. It's time you gave them somethingto talk about.”

“Look,I'll pay you for a cup of coffee and the use of this-" she thumped a hand on the sofa and a soft plume of dust rose up "-thing for the night.""I don't take in lodgers.""And you'd probably kick a sick dog if he got in your way," she added evenly.”

“I'll be sure to pass your comments along to the manager-after I fire him for letting you in.""Don't be cranky,Josh." She slanted her most persuasive smile his way, only slightly annoyed when she saw it didn't make a dent. "I'm sorry I woke you up.I wasn't thinking about the time.""Not thinking is one of your most highly honed skills.""I'm not going to fight with you, and I'm not going to apologize for not sleeping with you just because your ego's bruised."His smile was thin and sharp as a scalpel. "Duchess, if I'd gotten your clothes off,you not only wouldn't have to apologize,you'd be thanking me.""Oh,I see I'm mistaken.Your ego's not bruised, it's just painfully swollen.”

“But I realize I don't want to do it alone.I want to fence you in, Brian," she murmured, framing his face with her hands. "I've been hammering at that damn fence for weeks. Ever since I realized I was in love with you.”

“Can you stand a little closer?""Hmm?""You smell good. I like to smell you.”

“And I'll tell you another thing, Patrick Michael Thomas Cunnane, if you think you can come and go at all hours as you damn please just because you're going off to college, you'd best get that thick head of yours examined in a hurry. I'll be happy to do it myself, with the skillet I have in my hand, just as soon as I'm done with it.""Yes,ma'am." At the table Patrick say with his shoulders hunched, wincing at this mother's back. "But since you're using it, maybe I could have some more French toast.Nobody makes it like you do.""You won't get around me that way.""Maybe I will."She shot a look over her shoulder that Brian recognized as one only a mother could conjure to wither a child."And maybe I won't," Patrick muttered, then brightened when he saw Brian at the door. "Ma,we've got company. Have a seat,Brian. Had breakfast? My mother makes world-famous French toast.""Witnessess won't save you," Adelia said mildly, but turned to smile at Brian.”