Tess Thompson > Quotes

“She'd not known grief would come in waves, brought on by the smallest of things. Nor had she realized that ordinary acts of living would continue even after the loss of a love and that it would remain possible to get caught up in the moment of a simple pleasure before remembering.”
― Tess Hardwick

“She didn't belong here, amidst all the laughter, abandonment, the war cries of freedom. These other kids were alive and vibrant. She was chained and invisible.”
― Tess Hardwick, Riversong

“If only she understood that reading leads to freedom. You can go anywhere or learn anything inside a book. You are liberated inside those words, free to live another’s life.”
― Tess Thompson, Duet for Three Hands

“life isn't understandable. Only God understands and we have to wait until the end, where I imagine I'll see my questions answered, spread out across the heavens in waves of clarity.”
― Tess Thompson, The River Valley Collection

“I was familiar with the feeling of regret, as are most of us who’ve reached middle age.”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“We cannot predict the joys and sorrows that await us on this journey through life. Courage is our only map.”
― Tess Thompson, The School Mistress

“Sometimes the thing we think we’re looking for is really something else entirely.”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“My mother always told me if you’re feeling bad to do for others.”
― Tess Thompson, Duet for Three Hands

“Love is the opposite of fear. Because giving oneself to another human being without fear of loss, betrayal, or even death, was the ultimate vulnerability.”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“My stomach fluttered. Like a silly school girl, I took a moment and twirled around the room. I never thought I’d look forward to work this much. Was this what it was like to fall in love? If so, I quite liked it. As long as he returned my feelings. A little worry niggled at me. What if it were only me feeling this way? No. Just be brave and honest. I couldn’t be so far wrong. Could I?

No, it wasn’t just me. He was going to kiss me.”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Bookish Bride

“He drew me closer, peering into me with those aforementioned eyes. “What would you say if I asked to kiss you?”

“Are you asking?” I floated above the ground, delirious with joy over his words and the earnestness in his expression.

“I am. Will you allow me to kiss you?”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Bookish Bride

“I believe it was Buddha who said, “In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” Pray that I may learn to live this way.”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“I closed my eyes, remembering what he’d looked like, so close I could smell the shaving soap he’d used that morning. The way Benedict had looked at me—I thought I might melt right there on that log. I’d been so bold to reach for his hand. And I didn’t even feel guilty or ashamed. We’d been in a world of our own with rules we made. Rules that included holding hands and kissing. I wanted to live in that world always.”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Bookish Bride

“He sat across from me, his face as happy as a child awaiting a treat. “I cannot wait. It’s been here for weeks and I’ve stared at it as one would a sweetheart.”

I laughed again. “Books might be better than a sweetheart. They never let us down, do they?”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Bookish Bride

“Her mother, Bella understood now, had so few moments of relaxation or peace and must have lived in the pages of those books. The only travels she’d ever had, the only love story she’d ever known, the only victory and redemption. And in the morning, Alice Webber had risen again and again, her feet still aching from the day before, and gotten dressed and fed them breakfast, washed dishes, packed lunches, and”
― Tess Thompson, The River Valley Series: Riversong / Riverbend / Riverstar / Riversnow

“it was the nebulous feeling of faith, not something I could see or touch or hear. It was instinct and I was not a woman who believed in such things. Or was I?”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“Like the tide. Out with the old, in with the new.”
― Tess Thompson, Traded: Brody and Kara

“I’d tossed it years before, hadn’t I? Surely I had, in one of my moments that first year of marriage when my loyalty was resolute. Hadn’t I disposed of it when I embraced my”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“From all reports, Briggs Tutheridge is someone who enjoys life. Perhaps a little too much.”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Reluctant Bride

“I waved back, feeling ridiculous, before leaning closer to Kevan and whispering near his ear, “Of course his name’s Homer.” Kevan smelled even better at this proximity. I moved away, adjusting my legs under the seat. What was I doing? One night out and two martinis later, I’d started smelling men in a strange bar in a town no one had ever heard of”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“This feeling, whatever it was, had grabbed hold of me and didn’t seem likely to let go. Of late, Benedict Tutheridge occupied my every thought. Even during sleep, he was there, playing a part in all my dreams. I flushed, remembering the one that had woken me this morning.”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Bookish Bride

“through”
― Tess Thompson, Christmas Treasures

“in blue ink seemed benign enough. Finn Lanigan 208-555-2004. And yet, the pulse at my neck quickened. Heat traveled from my center to every limb. I sank on molten legs to the stripped mattress. I held this scrap of paper, torn from a bar receipt, between damp fingers and stared at it like the ghost it was. I’d tossed it years before, hadn’t I? Surely I had, in one of my moments that first year of marriage when my loyalty was resolute. Hadn’t”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“I’ve learned from this group how very lucky I was to have had that kind of love.”
― Tess Thompson, Departed: David and Sara

“Were all the women of the earth meant to mother all our daughters? Didn’t they belong to all of us, really? Whichever of us was closest, we must step forward and hold out our arms and love them, affirm them, protect them. I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“I’m always more interested in the people around me,” Mrs. Mantle said. “All the details that tell me about a person. For example, I have some ideas about you.”

“As in?” I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Most people didn’t notice me at all.

“Your love of art. The glimmer of intelligence in your eyes. Your simple dark skirt and white blouse hinted that you’d been at work, although I’d guessed a secretary, not a bakery. You mentioned a father but no mother, which leads me to believe your mother has passed away some time ago. You’re in obvious distress, given the tears. I’m guessing a man has broken your heart.”

My brows shot up in surprise. “How did you know?”

“As I said, I watch people carefully. The way you brushed away the tears with such ferocity, as if you wanted to punish yourself for crying. Tell me about him. What happened?”

I thought for a moment. Did I want to tell my pitiful story to a stranger? It was surely one she’d heard before. Left for a woman’s best friend.

An image of Lionel’s face danced before me. His soft brown eyes and a mouth too pink for a man, yet perfect. The pitying way he’d looked at me while saying the words, “I love her. We’re going to marry. I’m sorry, Faith. Truly, I am. But you deserve a man who loves you, and I’m not him.”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Reluctant Bride

“Lola in her flip-flops. I shoved the slip of paper in the pocket of my shorts. I couldn’t know then why I didn’t just toss it in the garbage like I had so many memories and possessions in the weeks preceding.”
― Tess Thompson, Blue Midnight

“I know a lot of different kind of people,” Briggs said. “And do you know what I’ve discovered? We all bleed the same way. Mourn the same and love the same and go to sleep hoping to wake to a better life.”
― Tess Thompson, A Match for a Bookish Bride

“not likely to ever be important or rich or powerful, but to have taught one human to read, I will go to God in peace.”
― Tess Thompson, The School Mistress

“One could always return to the places and people they loved by conjuring the image or looking through photographs. Someday this moment would be a long time ago. For now, however, they were here in this bubble of love, breaking bread with no fear of tomorrow.”
― Tess Thompson, Departed: David and Sara