“Smitty gave his best pout. “Why are y’all trying to hurt me?”“Because it’s fun?”“It’s easy.”“I love it when you cry.”Smitty sighed. “Forget I asked.”

“Smitty leaned forward, resting his arms on this raised knees. "I am fixin' to get mad, Jessie."You're fixin' to get mad?""Yeah.""Why don't you just get mad?""I'm not there yet. But I will be if you don't start talking to me."Smitty to Jessie Ann”

“Uh…tell me, Mace. Have you actually let her in on the fact she’s yours now?” “No. But I will. She’ll simply have to deal with it.” Smitty sighed. “So says the King of the Jungle.”

“I never knew she liked country music," Smitty said in awe.Yeah, that must make her prime mate material for a Smith. She'll fit right in at one of your hootenannies."-Mitch to Smitty”

“He growled. Really, how attached could Smitty be to his sister? Would he really notice if Mace killed her?”

“You admit nothing. Deny everything. Demand proof. Did you learn nothing in Boot Camp?" (Mace to Smitty)”

“Do you think I’m pretty?”Smitty glanced away from the computer screen he’d been staring at for the last three hours, looked at his sister, and shook his head. “No.”“What do ya mean no?”“You asked. Sorry if you didn’t like the answer. I always thought you were funny lookin’. Asked momma, ‘What is that thing laying in your bed?’ And she said, ‘I found it hiding under a car, you be nice to it now.”