Denise Hunter > Quotes

“He had no idea what missing was. Missing was lying in the dampness of your tears night after night. Missing was a constant hollow spot in the center of your chest. Missing was a yawning ache that was never satisfied.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“It's fear that makes an act courageous.”
― Denise Hunter, The Convenient Groom

“...sometimes we have to find the courage to take off our shoes and feel it all. Even the bad stuff.”
― Denise Hunter, Barefoot Summer

“Mercy, but he smelled good. All piney and musky and manly. There should be a law.”
― Denise Hunter

“For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people?”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“When I sit up here... I'm just blown away God even notices us...”
― Denise Hunter, Barefoot Summer

“God, what is going on? Why are You leaving me with the one man who has the power to break me?”
― Denise Hunter, Bookshop by the Sea

“Life is a gift, however long it lasts. It's God's to give and take away as He sees fit. We go through life thinking we're entitled to our ninety, but we're not entitled to anything. All we can do is trust that He knows what He's doing. That He has a plan for all of us, and that no pain He allows in our life will go unused.”
― Denise Hunter, Barefoot Summer

“We have to be more careful,” she said. “I don’t have the time or energy for a broken heart.” He felt a squeeze in his chest. “I wasn’t planning to break your heart, Kate.” Her eyes fell to the floor before rising back to his. “Nobody ever does.” A fist tightened in his gut as he watched her retreat. He stood there for a long time, her words hitting hard, sinking deep. She’d been let down by a lot of people, and his name wasn’t going to be added to the list.”
― Denise Hunter, Falling Like Snowflakes

“One day at a time. Maybe it wasn't such bad advice. Despite what she'd learned in childhood, change could be good, right? If she could just let loose and let it happen. The thought sent a tremor of fear through her. She'd learned early to hold on tightly, to control her surroundings, her feelings. But control didn't buy safety. She couldn't even control her feelings, much less anything else. Control was a false foundation that crumbled and left her vulnerable. She didn't need to control. She needed to let go and trust God, and that was hard. But he was her new foundation. She pictured it beneath her, solid and unwavering. It would be okay.”
― Denise Hunter, Driftwood Lane

“Unable to bear the silence, she looked over her shoulder. Seth was leaning against the door, arms crossed, watching her, an enigmatic smile on his face. The golden glow of the lamplight washed over his face, highlighting his five o’clock shadow. She was suddenly aware that her hair had come loose from her ponytail. That her worn jeans and T-shirt were probably smudged with who-knew-what. This wasn’t how she’d imagined looking when Seth kissed her. Why hadn’t she done something with herself while he was gone? But judging by the look on his face, he didn’t care about any of that. No longer needing the fire’s warmth, she moved away, lifting her chin and tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. “What?” “I won,” he said quietly. “Won what?” Did he hear the tremor in her voice? His lips twitched. “Our deal . . . sleigh by midnight . . . the kiss . . . Ring any bells?”
― Denise Hunter, A December Bride

“She drew in a breath of salty sea air and let it out, mentally disconnecting with life on land even as the boat whisked her away from it. Just for today, she'd leave her worries behind and surrender to the wind's wiles.”
― Denise Hunter, Summer by the Tides

“Your identity doesn't come from your address.”
― Denise Hunter, A December Bride

“When you can't trust others, and you can't trust yourself, you can always trust God. He'll carry you through whatever comes your way.”
― Denise Hunter, Falling Like Snowflakes

“So...what do you want to do?"
He didn't even have to think about it.
"Kiss you again.”
― Denise Hunter, Just a Kiss

“That was something, wasn’t it? Trust was a good place to start. Especially after the kind of betrayal she’d been through. It made him want to prove he was the kind of man she deserved. The kind of man who’d love her for better or worse. The kind who was faithful and true.”
― Denise Hunter, A December Bride

“Love? The word streaked across the path of his thoughts like lightning across a stormy sky. He watched her now, watching Lulu, watching a moth flutter under the porch light, looking anywhere but at him, and sudden warmth flooded through him, making his knees weak. Yes, he loved her. He’d tried not to. But now here he was. On her porch, watching her watching a moth, and realizing he was the moth and she the light. It would always be this way.”
― Denise Hunter, Barefoot Summer

“One night Shay heard the quiet murmur of his voice, punctuated by Olivia’s giggles. She shuffled across the living room and listened around the corner. He was reading aloud to her, imitating each character’s voice. Shay listened to his falsetto, a grin tugging her lips at the incongruity of a cowboy reading The Princess Diaries.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“You’re not getting sick as much, you said. Maybe she wouldn’t notice.” “But my stomach.” Jade put her hand on her belly. “Twins, remember? I swear I’m growing by the hour.” He pulled her into his side, loving the soft feel of her against him. “You’re right. Besides, there’s the glow.” “What glow?” “The pregnancy glow. You have it.” “I do not.” He nudged her playfully. “You’re practically a neon sign.” “Stop it.” Ah, but he’d made her smile. Why did that make him feel like a million bucks? Like he could buy the world twice over with that smile. Of”
― Denise Hunter, Dancing with Fireflies

“Sometimes family isn't the situation you're born into but the people who've chosen to love you along the way.”
― Denise Hunter, Riverbend Gap

“Colton.”
― Denise Hunter, Falling Like Snowflakes

“His eyes raked her form, and she knew he was remembering too. Remembering the feel of their lips moving together, the feel of their bodies pressed together, the feel of stirring desire. Embarrassment licked her cheeks. He, on the other hand, looked her right in the eye, bold as a grizzly and twice as smug. No regrets here, they seemed to say. He cocked a brow just to make it clear he’d welcome a repeat right here and now.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Meet me back here in twenty,” he called, shutting the door. “ ’Kay, Dad!” He froze, the title catching him right in the gut. He watched her disappear into the barn, a smile of wonder lifting his mouth.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“He was so tired of trying to convince other people he was worthy of their love. Tired of being forced on people who didn't even want him.”
― Denise Hunter, Honeysuckle Dreams

“Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Probably Olivia. She shimmied it out and looked at the screen. Beau. Could this night get any worse? She’d seen him today from a distance and had managed to steer Travis a different direction. She shut off the ringer and pocketed the phone. “Not gonna answer?” “Nope.” The fireworks picked up overhead, colorful blooms with thunderous booms and pops. The sounds ricocheted off the mountains. She’d never been so glad to see the finale. “Was it Meyers?” She sighed. What business was it of his? It was her phone, her life. “He has no business calling you.” For pity’s sake. “Just a phone call, Travis.” “You’re a married woman.” “Barely.” “Can’t be barely married—you either are or you’re not—and I have a certificate that says we are.” The fireworks fizzled to nothing but darkness and silence. “It’s over.” Relieved, Shay sat up and inched toward the tailgate, but not before Travis’s quiet response reached her ears. “Not by a long shot.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Her jaw set, she passed him, going to the high”
― Denise Hunter, Barefoot Summer

“Sometimes you just have to extend a little grace to people. Not because they deserve it - but because we don’t deserve it either.”
― Denise Hunter, On Magnolia Lane

“What happened, honey?” She melted at the endearment, at the look in his eyes. “I fell in love with you.” Her words left her mouth on a rush of air. Something flared in his eyes. He pulled off his gloves, his eyes never leaving her, and cradled her face. His hands were warm and rough against her cold cheeks. “Eden . . .,” he whispered. “I love you too.”
― Denise Hunter, Falling Like Snowflakes

“They're good, but the Broncos are nothing to sneeze at. Heard of Peyton Manning?"
"I liked him better in blue."
"We all did.”
― Denise Hunter, The Wishing Season

“He opened her door, grabbed a quilt from the back of the truck, and pulled her toward the beach. When he found a spot covered with thick sand, he stopped and spread out the blanket. “It’s a little early for sunbathing,” she said. “I don’t remember you being so grumpy in the morning,” he teased. “I didn’t have time for coffee.” He lowered himself to the blanket and pulled her down in front of him. She settled against his chest, his warmth driving away the chill in the air. “Madam . . .” He handed her a thermos she hadn’t noticed before. “Oh, bless you.” She poured the hot brew into the lid, took a sip, and shared with him. Much better. The smell of the brew mingled with the tangy scent of sea air. The cool breeze fanned her skin, pushing her hair from her face, and the water lapped the pebbled shore. The clouds on the horizon were beginning to brighten, the black fading to dark hues of blue. A couple months ago she’d mentioned that she’d never watched a sunrise. He seemed intent on being there for all her firsts. The first time she rented a house. The first time she opened her own bank account. The first time she swam in the ocean. She embraced her freedom, and Beau was there, supporting her however he could.”
― Denise Hunter, Falling Like Snowflakes