Michaela

“Why do you always talk like that? With a hand in front of your mouth?” “Because it’s too large.” And I could not remember to think of peas and prunes and prisms. “Who told you that?” “My aunt.” “And what else has she told you?” “That I’m much too tall.” “Has she?” “Yes.” I said it in a whisper because Harry had come so very close and his lips were hovering just above mine. “I’m afraid that . . . I might just . . . kiss you. If that’s all right.” “Oh, Harry . . .” What a strange sensation, to feel Harry’s lips upon mine. So warm and gentle and giving. Especially when Franklin’s had been so hard and urgent and demanding. He broke away with a sigh. Placed a hand to either side of my neck and stared at me for a long moment . . . just stood there looking deeply into my eyes. And then he slid his hands down to my shoulders and clasped me to himself. “It seems just fine to me.” The words were whispered into my ear. “What does?” “Your mouth. And you. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
― Siri Mitchell, She Walks in Beauty

“God is good, and I love Him. Right now, God is permitting a very hard thing. Why, I don't know, but I still trust Him.”
― Dee Henderson

“To some people who said they believed, religion was a word; to others, it defined who they were.”
― Dee Henderson, The Negotiator

“You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it's for the same two things."
"What?"
"Love and gelato.”
― Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Gelato