Debra Holland > Quotes

“The sky is the most glorious blue I've ever seen." Nick must have heard her quiet words. "I used to think there couldn't be a more beautiful blue in all the world." The sound of his voice pulled Elizabeth into his presence. She said with a curious glance. "What changed your mind?" He flushed though his green gaze remained steady on her, "I saw your eyes.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“We'll ride along the river. It's a mighty pretty sight..." Puffy white clouds floated across the azure blue sky. Pine-covered mountains crowned with snowcaps folded down into foothills that ringed the valley. Beneath the clouds the play of sun and shadow cast hazy blue-green patches on the mountainsides. A distant large-winged bird rode on air currents before diving into a clump of trees.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“I particularly want you to meet Miss Bucholtz.”
The very idea made him uneasy. “Why is that,
Ma’am?” he bluntly asked.
Mrs. Morgan hesitated. “Keep this under your hat, mind you.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
She let out a tired sigh. “I’ve brought Miss Bucholtz to replace Mr. Gabellini.”
Howie pictured a dried up old spinster with the same commanding presence as Mrs. Morgan, a real battle-axe.
“Fireworks are coming. Are you sure a woman is the right, uh, person for the job?”
“Bertha Bucholz is one of the best cooks I know. I guarantee by this time next month, you men will all be sporting five extra pounds.”
― Debra Holland, Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Series Novel

“Jacques appeared on his hands and knees, peering around the corner of the cabin. His dark eyes lit with pleasure when he saw her. The baby flashed Antonia his wide grin and scooted toward her. Only in the last two days had he gone from pushing himself across the floor to a hands-and-knees crawl.
Henri trailed so close behind Jacques that he had to walk wide-legged so he didn’t step on his brother.
The baby reached her, placed his hands on her legs, and pressed himself up, grabbing at the front of her tunic. “Maa.”
Antonia hugged Jacques. He’d soiled his rabbit skin diaper and smelled, but she held him close, needing to feel the baby in her arms.
He wiggled in protest.
She dropped a kiss on his forehead and reached up to her shoulder to unlace the leather ties of her tunic, pulling the flap down to free her breast. He began to suckle greedily.
Henri dropped to her other side and leaned against her.
Antonia put her arm around him. Just holding her sons brought her comfort but also increased her despair. What do I be doin’ now?
Should I be takin’ the boys and leave? Head for Sweetwater Springs?
Antonia shook her head. No! I won’t be leavin’ Jean-Claude. Cain’t leave my home.
But without her husband to provide for them, she didn’t know how long she’d be able to manage on her own.
Somehow, I’ll be findin’ a way, Antonia vowed.”
― Debra Holland, Healing Montana Sky

“The Christmas I was sixteen, my ma and I were poorer than church mice. My pa died when I was two, taking her heart with him." A smile curved his lips. "She could have remarried for a more comfortable life. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. We were happy, though, her and I. Just when I was getting old enough to do odd jobs, bring in some money to make her life easier, she got sick. I stayed home to nurse her. She had no strength left. But somehow she'd scraped together the last of her red yarn and made me a pair of stockings. My Christmas gift that year."
Sensing his thoughts lingered in the past, Louisa brushed a finger over the scrap in her palm.
"She died several weeks later."
Louise caught her breath, aching for the pain of that young man.
"I took a lot of ribbing for wearing red stockings. But I didn't give them up, even when I could afford to. I felt like they kept my ma close. Like she was with me."
Tears welled up in Louisa's eyes. One dripped over.
He caught the drop on the tip of his finger. "They brought me luck."
"That's why you're called Red. I wondered.”
― Debra Holland, Montana Sky Christmas

“Don’t be sorry, Darlin’”, he said in his best cowboy drawl, “for I’m certainly not. It’s not every day a man like me gets to assist such a pretty lady. Any time you need help in or out of a wagon, you just give me a holler” he said in a teasing tone, “I’ll be right there, hoping you’ll fall in my arms again.”
― Debra Holland, Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Series Novel

“With the way Bertha can cook and her good-natured personality, she’ll be married in no time. We’ll see to it!” She cast a speculative glance around. “Why I see ten available men within a hundred feet of us. ... Bertha will manage just fine…“ I hope.”
― Debra Holland, Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Series Novel

“We have plenty of natural springs in our area. The cool springs have the sweetest water you'll ever taste - hence the name of our town. And it's never too cold for a Montanan to sit in a natural hot spring, even if it means your wet hair turns into icicles."
Her hand rose to cover her mouth, and her eyes widened.
He laughed at her shocked expression.
Pamela lowered her hand.
"Hot springs outdoors? In the winter?"
"Hot springs feel down right good to soak in anytime, especially when the air's cold outside. The hot water soothes sore muscles and is good for what ails you. But I also have a river through my property. I've dammed up a spot that makes for a nice swimming hole when it's hot in the summer."
A blush rose in her cheeks, and she glanced to the side.
"Very refreshing," he teased, just to watch the pink deepen....
Pamela couldn't help the dreamy vision of bathing with him in a hot spring, touching each other as the snowflakes swirled around them. She let out a sigh. So romantic.”
― Debra Holland, Beneath Montana's Sky

“Howie rose and smiled down at her. “I just eat what’s put before me without being picky. I know everything you make will make my tastebuds bless the day you set foot in Morgan’s Crossing” he drawled, waiting to see the adorable look of confusion that crossed her face when he flirted.
Bertha lowered her gaze and looked up at him through her eyelashes.
“Only your tastebuds?”
― Debra Holland, Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Series Novel

“Howie brought her hand to his lips. “You stepped in front of me,” he said in wonder. “I didn’t need you to. I can handle Prudence Morgan.”
“But you didn’t.” She tapped his chest. “You stayed quiet for the longest time before responding.”
“Quiet is how I handle difficult people….”
“You don’t handle me that way.” Her voice came out sounding breathless.
Howie slipped his arms around her. “If it were up to me, this is how I’d handle you.”
Butterflies danced in her stomach. Not a fearful battering of wings, but a sparkling mating flight, making her heart soar into her throat. “Why isn’t it up to you?”
― Debra Holland, Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Series Novel

“Even through her coat, he could feel the curve of her arm, making him aware of their differences.
Man and woman.
Hard and soft.”
― Debra Holland, Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Series Novel

“Elizabeth watched as Nick, alternating between teasing and coaxing, persuaded Lizzy to drink the entire glass of lemonade. He’s so good with her—with all the children. Someday, he’ll make a wonderful father. That unexpected warmth crept into her cheeks again. As if Nick read her mind, his eyes met hers. Elizabeth blushed. Surely he wasn’t having similar thoughts about her?”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“Elizabeth Hamilton! What are you doing riding that horse? Nick’s going to be so angry with you!” “Nick’s not around,” Elizabeth said tartly. “Well, you’d better not break your neck. We’ve enough problems as it is.” “I won’t.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“Life is for the living," her late husband had said more than once. "Laugh while you can.”
― Debra Holland, Healing Montana Sky

“Nick laughed. "We'll have a celebration, all right. It's called Christmas."
"She's a Christmas baby? On the actual day?"
"Came a month earlier than we expected. Elizabeth had organized the children into a Christmas choir and planned a big party after the service on Christmas Eve." Nick chuckled. "She was not pleased when her pains started beforehand.”
― Debra Holland, Glorious Montana Sky

“In his vision, she picked up a silver-backed brush and stroked the long fall of hair. He imagined himself taking the brush from her hand. As their eyes met in the mirror, he’d sensuously stroke every tress. He could see himself picking up a lavender-scented lock, kissing it, and then kissing her shoulder, her forehead, her lips.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“The sky is the most glorious blue I’ve ever seen.” He must have heard the quiet words. “I used to think there couldn’t be a more beautiful blue in all the world.” The sound of his voice pulled Elizabeth into the awareness of his presence. She sent him a curious glance. “What changed your mind?” He flushed, although his green gaze remained steady on her. “I saw your eyes.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“Just let me catch my breath, Red Macalister, and think. You've tipped my teapot handle over spout.”
― Debra Holland, Montana Sky Christmas

“emotion. “Mrs. Carter comes”
― Debra Holland, Glorious Montana Sky

“You cannot go into labor," Caleb ordered, anxiety clenching his innards.
"The baby is coming!" She enunciated every word.
"The doctor is a long day's ride away in Sweetwater Springs, and there's no woman for miles. You'll just have to wait."
As the contraction eased, the tightness in her body relaxed, and she gave him a wan smile. "Does everyone always do what you say?"
'Is that levity in her voice? At a time like this?' "They comply if I know what best, and I usually do.”
― Debra Holland, Mystic Montana Sky

“braid”
― Debra Holland, An Irish Blessing

“It's not fair that our dogs don't have longer lives. When I get to heaven, I intend to scold God for that.”
― Debra Holland, Healing Montana Sky

“What do you men wear (to swim)?" Laughter glinted in his green eyes and he slanted her a mischievous grin. "Since Mrs. Carter came here to live, we swim in old pants cut off at the knees." Warmth crept up her cheeks. Bad enough to think of a bare-chested Nick swimming in the pool without thinking of him naked.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“Rides my demon horse, shoots a grizzly—my, my, proper Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, who’d ever have thought it?”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“Mrs. Carter raised her chin. "The essence of a lady comes from within," she said in a gentle but firm tone. "A lady can wear rags, but as long as she holds her head up and carries herself proudly, people will see her, not her clothing.”
― Debra Holland, Healing Montana Sky

“Do the girls swim too?” “Yes, Miz Carter lets them swim in their shifts.” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at that. “What do you men wear?” Laughter glinted in his green eyes, and he slanted her a mischievous grin. “Since Miz Carter came here to live, we swim in old pants cut off at the knees.” Warmth crept up her cheeks. Bad enough thinking about a bare-chested Nick swimming in the pool without thinking of him naked!”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“Mine to protect. Mine to cherish.”
― Debra Holland, Grace: Bride of Montana

“Gratitude tempers sorrow.”
― Debra Holland, Singing Montana Sky

“Nick leaped off the horse. Still pointing the rifle at the bear, he nudged the carcass with his foot, then lowered the rifle and turned to Elizabeth. She threw herself against him. His arm tightened around her. Setting the rifle on the ground, he pulled her close. Elizabeth clung to him, still too shaken to even burst into tears. Nick had saved her. She glanced back at the carcass, still hardly believing what had just happened, then shuddered and buried her face in his shoulder. “Elizabeth, are you all right?” She nodded, but didn’t lift her face. Her body trembled. A few relieved tears squeezed through her tightly shut eyelids. Nick reached up and stroked her hair, placing several comforting kisses on her head. “I was so frightened,” she murmured into his shoulder. “Thank goodness you came.” He pressed another kiss to her head. Elizabeth sighed in relief, her body shaky. Everything had happened so fast. But she was safe in Nick’s embrace, and she didn’t want to leave anytime soon. Nick scooped Elizabeth into his arms. She gasped, flung her arms around his neck, and clung to him. “Nick, I’m too heavy,” she protested. “Lighter than those hay bales,” he teased. “You make a better fit too.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky

“The boy shows talent. The overheard words still rankled. Boy! At twenty-four! He’d like to see that banker do a man’s work around a ranch. He’d have blisters on those smooth hands inside of two hours. Not to mention how he’d feel after a long day in the saddle. Elizabeth wouldn’t be happy with Livingston. He knew it. True, the man had money, a large house, and a purebred pedigree—all the things she probably wanted in a man. But it wouldn’t be enough. He had instincts about her in the same way he knew horses—what they needed, how to touch them. In the last week, there’d been times when she’d thawed and shown her feelings. He’d bet anything a special woman lurked beneath her proper Boston exterior. With Livingston, that woman would never emerge. He straightened and ground a fist into his palm. He couldn’t step back and let Livingston waltz away with her. It wouldn’t be right. He’d have to change. Force himself past his shyness. Force himself to open up. Nick wasn’t sure how he’d do it. Aside from what he’d learned from Miz Carter, he’d not had any training in proper society manners. Now, he’d seen for himself how different things were in the East. But something in Elizabeth had touched him, something that went beyond social barriers, and he knew she’d sensed it too. He might not have much wealth to offer, but there were other things he could do to make her happy, and he’d love her with all his heart.”
― Debra Holland, Wild Montana Sky