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da29fd2
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I know you've been hurt in the past, Tori." She closed her eyes against the compassion radiating from the man beside her, fumbling for the shield that used to fortify her so well. She couldn't relive the past now. Not when her emotions were closer to the surface than they'd been in years. "I know you're afraid of being hurt in the future." She could feel him looking at her. Feel his gaze like a caress against her sleeve. Her cheek. Her hair..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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8589c21
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Ben did all he could to look nonchalant. Rested his forearms on his thighs as he drove. Kept his fingers loose and relaxed on the reins. Added just a touch of a smile to his mouth so his expression would give away none of his inner turmoil. Had he said too much? Prodded old wounds when he would've been better leaving them alone? He didn't know. And the not knowing was driving him crazy. Tori hadn't said a word since he'd brought up her past..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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5215fae
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Ben clasped Tori's hand, peeling it away from his arm just enough to wrap his fingers fully around hers. He didn't care about the pain from her grip, or the marks her nails had surely left in his hide. All he cared about was communicating that he was by her side. He wouldn't leave. And he would guard her from whatever threat Deer Spring posed. "You"
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Karen Witemeyer |
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719fbd9
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Ben took one hand from the reins to cover hers where it clawed at his arm. He rubbed back and forth in a soothing motion, doing everything he could think of to calm her.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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1fc5b11
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He really was a good man. A gentle man. That's why she couldn't close the door on her memories, not completely. Because Ben Porter had wormed his way into them. Standing up for her against the lecherous farmer. Taking her side without question, even against Lewis. When thoughts of her past life in Deer Spring had pounced on her like a mountain lion on a jackrabbit, she'd reached for him. And he'd been there. Solid. Strong. Solicitous. He'd ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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1efa68b
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Dr. Jacob was tearing a piece of white cotton into strips. White cotton that must have belonged to his shirt at one time, for the man was bare to the waist. Well, not completely bare. He'd put his black vest back on. Not that it covered much. She still saw every play of his muscles as he tore the cotton. Very fine muscles, she couldn't help but notice.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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57cef11
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You didn't have to say it. It's written all over your face. You think more of that oversized iron-bender than you do of me.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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6b7a6d3
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Something tells me you might soon be changin' your tune about that iron-bender. He ain't all he seems. Trust me, darlin'. You can do better.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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a01d40e
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It's not just anyone," Lily insisted. "It's Dead-Eye Dan! I know it is."
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Karen Witemeyer |
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a490e1e
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I should have died. Not her." Nicole stiffened against him. There it was again, that woeful statement belittling his value, his worth."
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Karen Witemeyer |
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00e1b08
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But when you continue clinging to your feelings of guilt, this God-given mission becomes nothing more than self-imposed penance.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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dc1490f
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Forgive yourself for the child you were unable to save, Darius, and praise God for the many who are alive today because of your actions.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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1e69964
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I'd hate to be putting a bullet in a lawman, so I'd appreciate ye lowerin' yer weapon, sir.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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7154a62
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Well, if it ain't Meri Hayes. Come to ask me to the church social?" Hiram Ellis. Of all the rotten luck. The fellow was just as obnoxious grown as he'd been as a kid. "I'm looking for Sheriff Randall." Meredith ignored Hiram's cocky smirk and glanced around the office as if he were beneath her notice. "Do you know where I might find him?" "Still as contrary as ever, I see." Hiram slowly rose to his feet, puffing out his chest as if to empha..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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51a0026
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I have clean clothes and the salve you requested in the workshop, sir," the butler intoned. "Miss Greyson insisted I tend to your back. Threatened to do the task herself if I refused." "Did she?" Darius grinned as he toweled his hair dry. The thought of Nicole's fingers delicately applying salve to his scalded skin was a rather tantalizing prospect. Too bad it was also highly improper."
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Karen Witemeyer |
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5855f67
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I might know a way we could repay that debt." Everything inside Darius sharpened at that comment, just like it did when he stumbled across an idea for a new experiment. "Oh?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual. "The young lady drew me aside after she returned from her luncheon today. She made an odd request." Darius recalled their earlier run-in at the pond. Odd didn't begin to describe it--him stalking her through the grass in his s..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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e0bbf5b
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Travis raised his head from sighting down the rifle as shock radiated through him. Those eyes. Such a vivid blue. It was as if he'd seen them before. But that was impossible. Females didn't exactly pay them calls on a regular basis. Clearing his throat, he readjusted his rifle. "We don't cotton to trespassers around here, lady. You best skedaddle back the way you came." "I will. But not until I say my piece." She pivoted to face him fully, ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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b67494d
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He wanted nothing more than to close his eyes and relish the coolness, but all he could afford to do was cough some smoke out of his lungs and turn back to the task at hand. Which apparently included scolding a certain hardheaded woman for not heeding his instructions. Meredith glared at him from where she stood pumping water into the trough, not a hint of apology in her demeanor. Travis stormed past her and worked the knot on Jochebed's le..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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f92083b
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Audition me, Mr. Thornton. I dare you." His head quirked to the side. "I beg your pardon?" "Give me the chance to prove my value." Nicole raised a brow of her own. "If I fail to meet your expectations, you may send me on my way, and I'll leave without a word of complaint. But if I demonstrate myself capable of the tasks you demand, well . . . then we both end up with what we want. You'll have your secretary, and I'll have employment. Surely..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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55c66fd
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He drew a piece of bread from the basket, buttered it, and handed it to her. When her fingers closed around the crusty edge, she expected him to let go. He didn't. She glanced up into penetrating blue-gray eyes. "You saved my life today, Miss Greyson. I owe you my thanks." Nicole lowered her lashes, the intensity of his regard giving her pulse a ragged rhythm. "I'm just glad I was there to call a warning." Darius grinned, then released his ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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45773e8
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She couldn't tell him the truth--that she was here to wrangle a proposal out of him. How desperate would that make her look? Besides, no man wanted to think he was being manipulated into marriage. He wanted to be the pursuer, the one in control. She was simply creating opportunities in which that pursuit might occur. No,
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Karen Witemeyer |
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caf5971
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Ready for dessert?" Darius held the plate of tarts out to her. Nicole quickly swallowed the bread she'd just popped into her mouth and dabbed her lips with her napkin. "Yes. Thank you." She reached for a strawberry one from the pastry plate, smiling shyly. He smiled back, and Nicole savored the ease that had built between them. "Wonderful," he said, selecting a blackberry tart for himself. "Then perhaps you are also ready to tell me about t..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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e3f8948
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So, these competitors . . . What do they hope to gain by interfering with your journey?" The instant the question left his mouth, he knew it was too direct. Nicole dropped her gaze and removed her hand from his arm. "With all due respect, Mr. Thornton . . ." Drat. They were back to Mr. Thornton again. " . . . the details of the business I'm conducting for my father are not your concern." "They are if they put you in danger. And what of the ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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fe7ef03
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You've been good for him, you know. For all of us, really, but especially for the master." Nicole's pulse sped at the thought even as her mind discounted the comment as illogical. "I don't see how you could think that. I've been here less than a week, and before today he avoided my company as much as possible." A knowing grin curved the housekeeper's lips. "You're young, dearie. You don't have the experience to see what I can. Believe me, I..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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1a6a19d
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Mollie blushed as Mr. Walters released his hold on Jacob in order to embrace her in an enthusiastic hug. Jacob frowned at the sight of another man's arms around his woman, but it was only right that she receive credit for the part she'd played. His woman. Had he really just labeled her as such? It seemed odd yet so very, very right. What also felt very, very right was getting Trent Walters's arms away from Mollie.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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28e2101
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Darius bit his tongue to keep from grinning as Nicole hoisted herself into the wagon. He managed to keep the smile contained until he stepped aside to allow Wellborn to assist his wife. The moment he turned his back on the little minx, however, he let it loose. She was making it awfully hard to keep up the disgruntled employer pretense that he'd started last night. He usually had no trouble being disgruntled around people, especially when h..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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a87b520
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Gadzooks, lady! Where'd you learn to throw like that?" The awe in the boy's tone brought heat to her cheeks. "A pirate taught me," she snapped, stomping forward to reclaim her blade. For heaven's sake. Did all males assume women to be helpless creatures incapable of fending for themselves? Pressing her shoe against the snake's neck, she held the lifeless rattler down and yanked the knife free. There wasn't much blood, but still, she couldn'..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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7ae0d3b
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He held Galen to a walk because Mollie felt too good leaning against his chest. He wrapped one arm about her waist and drew her even closer. She tipped her face back to look at him. "We made a good team tonight, didn't we?" He thought they'd make a good team every night. If she would consent to a different type of partnership. He squeezed her a little tighter. "We made an excellent team. Thank you for coming." "I'll come whenever you need m..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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9506301
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Hanging back to get her reaction under control, she wiped her knife on the edge of her petticoat, then angled her body away so she could raise her skirts enough to slip the knife into its sheath, taking care not to drop the pilfered food cradled in her other arm. When she straightened, she expected Darius and Jacob to be well ahead but instead found her companions only a few yards away, their far-too-curious eyes riveted on her. "So that's ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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afa677e
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She knew she was rambling but couldn't seem to stop. His continued silence had stretched her nerves nearly to the snapping point. "Miss Greyson?" His deep voice cut through her babble, sparing her from further maligning her own intelligence. "Yes?" She forced her chin up. The lines that had grooved his face mere moments ago were now barely visible. It was as if ten years of hard living had just fallen away. Her own heart lightened in respon..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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bd40603
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That's it!" "Anton," her mother gasped. "You startled me." "Sorry, my love." Papa patted her hand as she returned to sit beside him on the edge of the bed. "But I've just had the most astounding idea." "What is it?" The question rang simultaneously from both Nicole and her mother. Her papa smiled. A scheming, devilish, piratical smile that one would expect to see right before a blade ran him through. Nicole flopped onto the divan. "Nicki's ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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8c162ef
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Will you need assistance with the boilers, as well?" "I can manage those on my own, but we'll need two wheelbarrow loads of wood to fuel the fireboxes. There's a barrow out by the woodshed. If you would start loading it while I move the boilers down to the pond, that would save considerable time." "Aye, aye, Captain." Nicole clicked her heels together and snapped a salute. Her employer seemed a bit nonplussed by her actions until she winked..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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61b3ea2
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He wished Nicole's problems were as easily solved. He watched the light green skirts ahead of him sway as she extended her lead. Why did he get the feeling she was putting more than physical distance between them? He couldn't allow that. Not if he planned to protect her. Nicole might try to run, but he'd not let her hide. Not from him.
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Karen Witemeyer |
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c9491a7
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He smiled and lifted a finger to stroke her cheek. Meredith's stomach roiled. "Oh dear." She quickly covered her mouth with one hand and her stomach with the other, thanking God for the excuse to cut their time together short. "I think something from lunch may not be agreeing with me." That something being Roy Mitchell. An impatient frown darkened Roy's face before he quickly replaced it with a look of concern. "Would you like to sit and re..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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6589bb3
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When he looks at me, Meri, he makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, as if he could gaze at me for a lifetime and never grow tired of my face. As if he sees not just who I am, but who I can become. And when I look at him, not only do I see a handsome suitor who makes my heart flutter, I see a solid, dependable man who can be counted on no matter how difficult the road may become. A man who wants more than a pretty ornamen..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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7cece80
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Darius, please. You're hurting me." He opened his eyes at once. "Nicole?" She lay draped across his chest, her face angled up to his, her dark braid curling beneath her chin. A ragged breath escaped him. She was the most beautiful sight he'd ever beheld. Until she winced, and he realized he was holding her tight enough to crack her ribs. He released her immediately. She wiggled against him as she struggled to sit up, finally bracing a hand ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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362fce7
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Ben! You should have waited for me." The wagon wobbled a bit, no doubt from Tori climbing up into the bed. An instant later, her hand clasped his shoulder. "Here. Wrap your arm around me." She reached for the arm that didn't have a death grip on the wagon side and wrapped it around her neck. He cracked his eyes open a smidge. "I'd never . . . turn that . . . request down." Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. Score one for him. "Lean"
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Karen Witemeyer |
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a87bf5c
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I'll fill a tray for Mr. Thornton," she offered, eager for any excuse to check up on the man and judge the severity of his injuries for herself, "and take it to the workshop." "That won't be necessary, Miss Greyson, but thank you." Nicole spun toward the doorway. "Dar--Mr. Thornton!" She raked her gaze over his tall form. He moved a bit gingerly as he entered the kitchen, but that was to be expected after the abuse his body had taken that a..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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b805d94
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She brought the bite to her mouth and chewed slowly, as if savoring the sweet. But he knew better. She was stalling. Using the tart as an excuse to occupy her mouth so she couldn't answer his questions. Darius tugged her plate out of reach before she could stab a second bite. "Nicole." His use of her given name had the desired effect. Her chin jerked up and her eyes widened as she scanned his face. "Your safety is not a trifling matter." Th..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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c1c1d68
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Only a master weaver could intertwine dark and light threads in such a way that all one saw was beauty when looking back at the finished tapestry.
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god
challenges
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Karen Witemeyer |
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6e879f6
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After months of patient hint-dropping and carrot-dangling, today was the day he would finally break through Tori's resolve and convince her to take their partnership from strictly business to something more. He'd been aching for that something more for over a year now, but every time he'd broached the subject, she'd made it clear she had no interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with any man. He supposed he should take comfort in the ..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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a84018b
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The woman might think God spared his life in part so he could be here when she found herself in desperate need of employment, but he knew the truth. God had not brought Nicole to Oakhaven for a job. He'd brought her here to pull the thorn out of a stubborn bear of a man's paw so that he could finally start to heal. And something told him if he allowed her to leave him, an even larger thorn would take its place. One from which he might never..
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Karen Witemeyer |
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b312a72
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Yet it was her inner light that captured him most.
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crockett-archer
inner-beauty-quote
joanna-robbins
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Karen Witemeyer |
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00b0865
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I'm sorry for taking so long." Tori straightened her shoulders as if readying herself for battle, then traipsed down the steps to the street. "I had a few last-minute details to see to." Ben hurried around the back of the wagon to meet her and had opened his mouth to offer assurances that the delay was no problem when Lewis popped his head up. "About time! Sheesh, Ma. You took for-ev-er." Ben cast a warning glance at the boy. "I'm sure what..
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Karen Witemeyer |