Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls, #1)

by Catherine Cowles

“The only thing they would want is for you to be happy.” My throat burned as it worked to hold back a sob. “I know. But sometimes being happy feels like the worst betrayal of all.”

Happiness was the greatest torture of all because it could all be taken away—and it was so much worse than if you’d never experienced it at all.

“You shouldn’t hide a damned thing, Reckless. Especially not something that proves how strong you are.”

“It’s easy to try to numb yourself when you’re going through something painful.”

“Sometimes, the only way to stay alive and breathing is to pretend it never happened. Over time, you can let it in, piece by piece, but if you do it all at once, you could drown in the grief.”

“Sometimes, being the one who’s left behind is the heaviest weight. But it doesn’t mean you stop fighting.”

“You can’t truly live without some sort of hurt. If you’re so focused on avoiding discomfort, you end up living a half-life. You might get to skip the lowest lows, but you don’t get the highest highs either.”

“Can’t handle being away from you,” he croaked. “Especially not when you’re hurting.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to care about anyone. But you shot that all to hell.” My heart hammered against my ribs, butterfly wings dying to break free. A muscle fluttered in Anson’s cheek. “You didn’t sneak past my defenses, you bulldozed them. Reckless to the bone. And maybe you made me brave enough to be reckless, too.”

“Sometimes, we need a little anger to remind us there are still things we care about.”

“Why would I wear the torture device that is a bra when I’m in my own home?”

That’s the thing about life. Events and circumstances have the power to mark you. Change you.”

The End is only a chance for another beginning.

“You gave me air when I thought I’d never breathe again. You gave me color when my world had gone black. You see every part of me. I don’t want to spend another moment without you. Marry me.”