Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

“He wrapped his hand around hers, pressed a kiss to the heart of her palm, and held her gaze. “I’ve got a one-room cabin, a few horses, and a dream that’s so small it won’t even cover your palm. But it sure seems a lot bigger when you’re beside me.â€�

The moonlight streaming through the window shimmered off the tears trailing along her cheeks. “I’ve always wanted a dream that I could hold in the palm of my hand,� she said quietly.

-Houston and Amelia”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“Austin stood. “All right, I will.â€� He walked to the door and stopped, his hand on the latch. He gazed back over his shoulder. “That woman you love . . . Do I know her?â€�

Houston forced himself to meet his brother’s gaze. The boy only knew one woman, if he didn’t count the whores in Dusty Flats. “Yeah, you do.�

“She never left your side, not for one minute.�

“She should have.�

“Well, I’m not learned in these matters, but I’d like to think if a woman ever loved me as much as that one loves you ... I’d crawl through hell to be by her side.”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“He skidded to a dead halt and stared hard at Austin. The boy’s chin carried so many nicks from his first shave that it was a wonder he hadn’t bled to death. He was a year older than Houston had been when he’d last stood on a battlefield. Sweet Lord, Houston had never had the opportunity to shave his whole face; he’d never flirted with girls, wooed women, or danced through the night. He’d never loved.

Not until Amelia.

And he’d given her up because he’d thought it was best for her. Because he had nothing to offer her but a one-roomed log cabin, a few horses, a dream so small that it wouldn’t cover the palm of her hand.

And his heart. His wounded heart.”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“He pulled her mirror out of his other pocket. “You left your mirror on my table.â€� He extended it toward her.

“You can keep it,� she said quietly. “We have lots of mirrors here.�

“I’ll keep it, then.�

“Good. I’m glad.�

He’d never rushed headlong into a battle, but he figured this time, it might be the best approach. “I spent a lot of time studying it. The back is real pretty with all the gold carving. Took me about an hour to gather up the courage to turn it over and look at the other side.�

“And what did you see?�

� Aman who loves you more than life itself.�

Closing her eyes, she dropped her chin to her chest.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me. I haven’t held your feelings as precious as I should have.�

“I don’t hate you,� she whispered hoarsely. “I tried to, but I can’t.�

-Houston and Amelia”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“You loved her, but you let her marry some other fella? Why’d you do a fool thing like that?â€�

“Because it was best for her.�

“How do you know it was best for her?�

Houston swiveled his head and captured his brother’s gaze. “What?�

Austin shrugged. “What if what you thought was best for her wasn’t what she wanted?�

“What are you talking about?�

Austin slid his backside across the porch. “I’m not learned in these matters so I don’t understand how you know what you did was best for her.�

-Houston and Austin”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny

“Her delicate brows drew together. “As a rancher, surely he knows how to ride a horse.â€�

“He can ride just fine. He took it into his head that he could break this rangy mustang, and it broke him instead.�

-Houston and Amelia”
― Lorraine Heath, Texas Destiny