“She heard music. Angels singing? she thought, dizzy. It seemed odd for angels to sing after table sex. She managed to swallow on a throat wildly dry. "Music," she murmured. "My phone. In my pants. Don't care.""Oh. Not angels." "No. Def Leppard.”

“They never see what you are." Shocked, Jude glanced around to see who'd spoken, then realized she had."Don't they?" Brenna wanted to know, lifting her brow as she topped off Jude's glass yet again."They see a reflection of their own perception. Whore or angel, mother or child. Depending on their view, they're compelled to protect or conquer or exploit. Or you're a convenience," she murmured."Easily discarded.”

“How long are you staying?"This time she did laugh. "Always gracious.A few days," she told him. "No more than a week.No,please." She held up her hand, palm up. "Don't beg me to extend my visit; I simply can't stay any longer." She knew he would scowl and swear and open his house to her for as long as she needed.He finished off the last of his eggs. "Okay, you can drive into town for supplies while you're here.""Always happy to be of service," Shelby muttered. "How do you manage to get every major newspaper in the country delivered out here?""I pay for it," he said simply. "They think I'm odd.""You are odd.”

“I want lots and lots of sex.""You really are the woman of my dreams.""First round, wet shower sex, after we scrape off a few layers of the Alaskan tundra, then a short and satisfying lunch break. Then a second round of make-the-mattress-sing sex.""I feel a tear of gratitude and awe forming in the corner of my eyes. Don't think less of me.”

“He needs to be talked to.""This is funny, but I know how to talk, too."Brian swore under his breath. "He prefers singing.""Excuse me?""I said,he prefers singing.""Oh." Keeley tucked her tongue in her cheek. "Any particular tune? Wait, let me guess. Finnegan's Wake?" Brian''s steely-eyed stare had her laughing until she had to lean weakly against the gelding.The horse responded by twisting his head and trying to sniff her pockets for apples."It's a quick tune," Brian said coolly, "and he likes hearing his name.""I know the chorus." Gamely Keeley struggled to swallow another giggle. "But I'm not sure I know all the words.There are several verses as I recall.""Do the best you can," he muttered and strode off.His lips twitched as he heard her launch into the song about the Dubliner who had a tippling way.When he reached Betty's box, he shook his head. "I should've known. If there's not a Grant one place, there's a Grant in another until you're tripping over them."Travis gave Betty a last pat on the shoulder. "Is that Keeley I hear singing?""She's being sarcastic, but as long as the job's done. She's dug in her heels about grooming Finnegan.""She comes by it naturally.The hard head as well as the skill.""Never had so many owners breathing down my neck.We don't need them, do we, darling?" Brian laid his hands on Beetty's cheek, and she shook her head, then nibbled his hair."Damn horse has a crush on you.""She may be your lady, sir, but she's my own true love.Aren't you beautiful, my heart?" He stroked, sliding into the Gaelic that had Betty's ears pricked and her body shifting restlessly."She likes being excited before a race," Brian murmured. "What do you call it-pumped up like your American football players.Which is a sport that eludes me altogether as they're gathered into circles discussing things most of the time instead of getting on with it.""I heard you won the pool on last Monday nights game," Travis commented."Betting's the only thing about your football I do understand." Brian gathered her reins. "I'll walk her around a bit before we take her down. She likes to parade.You and your missus will want to stay close to the winner's circle."Travis grinned at him. "We'll be watching from the rail.""Let's go show off." Brian led Betty out.”

“You're the whole focus of my world," he murmured. "After you left, I went crazy.I flew down to New Orleans, and-""You did?" Stunned,she drew back to look at him. "You went after me?""With various purposes in mind," he muttered. "First,I was going to strangle you,then I was going to crawl, then I was going to just drag you back and lock you upstairs."Smiling,she rested her head on his chest. "And now?""Now." He kissed her hair. "We compromise. I'll let you live.""Good start." With a sigh,she closed her eyes. "I want to watch the sea in winter."He tilted her face to his. "We will.""There is something else...""Before or after I make love to you?"Laughing,she pulled away from him. "It better be before.Since you haven't mentioned marriage yet,it falls to me.""Gennie-""No,this is one time we'll do it all my way." She draw out the coin Serena had given her before she'd lef the Comanche. "And,in a way,it's a kind of compromise.Heads,we get married. Tails we don't."Grant grabbed her wrist before she could toss. "You're not going to play games with something like that, Genvieve, unless that's a two-headed coin."She smiled. "It certainly is."Surprise came first,then his grin. "Toss it.I like the odds.”

“Shelby..." Her tongue skimmed over his while he cupped the back of her neck more firmly. "Shelby," he repeated a moment later, "there was something I wanted to talk to you about earlier, and I'm in danger of becoming as ditracted now as I was then.""Promise?" She moved her lips to his throat."I have a command performance this weekend.""Oh?" She switched to his ear.In self-defense, Aan rolled over and pinned her beneath him. "I got a call from my father this afternoon.""Ah" Humor danced in her eyes. "The laird.""The title would appeal to him." Alan grasped her wrists to prevent her from clouding his mind as she seemed bent on doing. "It seems he's planned one of his famous family weekends. Come with me."One brow lifted. "To the MacGregor fortress in Hyannis Port? Unarmed?""We'll hoist the white flag."She wanted to go.She wanted to say no. A visit to his family home came perilously close to that final commitment she was so carefully sidestepping. Questions, speculation-there'd be no avoiding them. Alan heard her thoughts as clearly as if it had been spoken.Pushng back frustration, he changed tactics."I have orders to bring that girl-" he watched her eyes narrow- "-that daughter of the thieving, murdering Campbells,with me.""Oh,is that so?""Just so," Alan returned mildly.Shelby lifted her chin. "When do we leave?”