Beyond All Measure Quotes

“Life is full of risks. But if you try to build a fence around all your fears, you'll shut out joy too.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“When there's no other name to call, you can call on the Lord. He's the One who is always listening. Even in the darkness.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“We can't be sad for her," she murmured. "Only for ourselves at having to say good-bye.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“When God opens a door, you have to take His hand and walk through it. Even when you have doubts.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Wyatt!” She ran to meet him. “Wyatt! Please wait!” A sudden gust of wind dislodged her hat and sent it tumbling down the platform. The long pink ribbons lifted, dancing wildly in the warm wind. The movement caught his eye. He saw her then, and he stopped dead still, an incredulous smile spreading over his face. She waited, not daring to breathe, until Wyatt dropped everything and ran toward her, arms outstretched. The wind caught his hat too and sent it rolling along the platform until it came to rest beside hers. He lifted her into his arms and spun her around. She laughed out loud, her face tipped to the bright summer sky. Wyatt set her on her feet and kissed her thoroughly, oblivious to the handful of passengers still milling about the platform. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back for all she was worth, pouring into it all of her love and gratitude and hope. He smiled down at her. “You’re really here!” “Yes.” “No more doubts?” “None.” She hooked her arm through his and smiled up at him through a blur of happy tears. “Buy me a ticket?” “Just like that?” “Mariah will send my things.” She grinned, imagining her friend’s shock at such impulsiveness. But she didn’t want to wait another second to start her future with Wyatt. “It’s fine with me, darlin’, but our friends would never forgive us if we deprived them of a wedding . . . and the chance to say ‘I told you so.’ ” She heaved a mock sigh. “I suppose you’re right. There’s no hope for it, then. I reckon we’ll have to hold a wedding.” He wrapped one arm tightly around her waist. “You’re ready to be a rancher’s wife?” “Just try to stop me.” He grinned. “No thank you. I’ve seen what happens when you make up your mind to do something.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Ada.” Sage put out a hand to stop her pacing. “Enough. It’s time to stop thinking and start doing. His train leaves in an hour.” “He’s leaving today? Without saying good-bye?” Sage nodded. “Here’s a man who stared death in the face and never flinched. But I don’t think he could have stood to look at you, knowing it was for the last time.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“You’re saying I should go to Texas with Wyatt.” He nodded. “If you love him.” “Of course I love him—beyond all measure! But now it’s too late. He hasn’t spoken to me since the day I refused his proposal.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Why don’t you say what you came to say?” “You’re right. I shouldn’t be asking so many questions. It’s only that I remember all our happy times together. All the plans we made for a life at sea.” The color had come back into his cheeks. His eyes glittered with the old excitement she remembered. “We were going to travel the world, remember? Life was going to be our big adventure!” “I remember.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“What if I stay?” She gaped at him. “What are you saying?” “You heard me. What if I keep the mill? Forget about Texas. Adopt Sophie. What then?” She was stunned. She’d never imagined such devotion even existed. “You love me that much? To give up everything you’ve ever wanted?” “Yes, darlin’. May the saints help me, I do.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Come Friday morning, I expect to see you on that train.” She crossed her arms. “I’ll be back. This is my town. And not even you can keep me away forever.” “You don’t have to stay away forever. Only until Ada and I have gone to Texas.” “So the rumors are true. You do intend to marry that wheyfaced Yankee.” “If she’ll have me.” He opened the schoolhouse door, letting in a blast of frigid air. “Friday, Bea. And don’t forget to wear your new Ada Wentworth hat.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Anger coiled inside him like a rattler when he thought of what might have happened to Ada. He loved her with a fierceness that stunned him. He loved everything about her—the way she pinned on her hat, the delicious sound of her unexpected laughter. Her bravery and her vulnerability and even, to his surprise, the slight trace of Boston that sometimes crept into her speech. And now that he loved her, he knew he could never be completely happy, even on his ranch, without her.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“I’ll have breakfast ready. I’d like to do whatever I can to make things easier for you.” “The whole day will be easier if I’m with you.” He kissed her forehead. “Good night, Ada.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“That’s where your sweetheart lives.” “What do you know about sweethearts?” Ada smiled down at her. “Mrs. Lowell told Mrs. Whiting that Mr. Caldwell is sweet on you. She said that’s why he gave her a big pile of money for the orphan house. Are you sweet on him too?”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Maybe it had been too much of a shock for her, imagining herself on a dusty ranch a thousand miles from the only life she’d ever known. Maybe he’d jumped the gun and proposed before she was ready. But he believed a man should go after what he wanted. And Lord help him, he wanted Ada.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Thank you for the fried chicken. And the candy too.” “You’re welcome.” He planted a quick kiss on her temple. “Always a pleasure spending time with you.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Mrs. Scott was pleased. Her hat looks better than I expected, but I hope I’m not called upon to attach more dead animals to hats anytime soon.” “Doggone it,” Wyatt said, above the clank of silver and the squeak of the door as patrons came and went, “I was hoping you’d sew that rabbit I shot last week to the brim of my new Stetson.” She laughed. “I understand Stetson is a well-respected company where you come from. I doubt they’d appreciate such embellishment.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Hold my bag, please. I can’t manage it and fill my plate at the same time.” Wyatt slipped his aunt’s drawstring bag over his arm and burst out laughing. “Very charming,” Ada said. “It matches your shirt beautifully.” He grinned and jiggled the bag. “This thing is heavy. What does Lil carry in here anyway?” Ada laughed. ”I have no idea.” “I missed you this week,” he murmured. “Save me a dance tonight?” “I will.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“So how do you spend these long evenings, Ada?” He smiled. “Since you’re not much for the piano and such.” “When I traveled abroad, I kept journals of the places we visited and the interesting people we met. Sometimes I reread them in the evenings while Lillian sleeps. They remind me of happier times.” “I’ve always had a hankering to see the world, but somehow I think it’s a trip better shared than undertaken alone.” “My aunt chaperoned me, and I enjoyed it. Except for the times she introduced me to certain young men of her acquaintance—sons of her old friends in London.” He grinned. “Tried to marry you off, did she?” Ada blushed. “Something like that.” In the flickering lamplight, his gaze sought hers. “I’m pleased that she didn’t succeed.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“To her complete surprise, Robbie wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his cheek against her apron. He smelled of sunshine, river water, and sun-warmed blackberries. Ada’s eyes filled. “I’m sorry about your ma and pa. And I’m sorry I made you sad.” It was easy to see why Wyatt set such store by this boy. He was a treasure. She held him by the shoulders and smiled into his bright blue eyes. “You are a wonderful boy, Robbie Whiting, and I can never be sad when you’re around.” He smiled, and she swallowed the lump in her throat.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“I brought you some blackberries. There’s tons of them down by the river. I could bring you some every day if you want.” “That’s very thoughtful of you, but I’m not sure Miss Lillian and I could eat so many berries every day.” “You could make blackberry cobbler. Mr. Wyatt, he likes it a lot. I guess it’s just about his favorite dessert in the whole world.” Ada smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“He stepped into the kitchen holding a wrinkled wad of soggy white linen, a smile teasing the corner of his mouth, his eyes full of merriment. “Did one of you ladies lose your unmentionables?” Ada stopped dead still, a laden platter in each hand. Her cheeks flamed. “I . . . I put it out to dry.” “Must have blown off the porch. I didn’t want it to get muddy.” He pulled a chair close to the cookstove and carefully spread her soggy chemise over it. “There. It’ll be dry in no time.” Ada watched his hands smoothing the thin fabric. He smiled a slow smile that made her insides go soft, seeming not to notice her acute discomfort.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Well?” Lillian tucked her skirts beneath her. “Are we going, or are you planning to sit here all day mooning over my nephew?” “Mooning? Over him? Absolutely not.” Ada picked up the reins and yelled, “Get up!”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“I understood that my duties were to serve as companion to your aunt. There is nothing in my list of duties about driving this thing.” “I’m adding it to the list.” “What if I refuse?” She stared at him, her insides churning. Wasn’t this just like a man? The minute you thought you understood the rules, they up and changed them. He regarded her solemnly. “You won’t refuse, Ada.” “And how are you so certain of this?” “Because you care for Lillian, and you wouldn’t allow her to drive alone.” He was right. Already, she had developed a grudging concern for the older woman. What made her so angry was that Wyatt saw it and was using it to his advantage. She huffed out an exasperated breath. “I am sorry for surprising you this way, but something tells me you’ll do just fine.” He tipped his Stetson. “I’ll see you ladies after work.” Lillian sighed and pulled on her lace gloves. “Might as well plan on staying for supper then.” “Yep,” he drawled, a gleam of mischief lighting his eyes, “might as well.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Wade on in,” he said. “The water’s nice and cool this morning.” “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been spying on you.” “That’s all right.” He couldn’t help grinning. “You’re the prettiest spy I’ve ever seen, if you don’t mind my saying so.” Ada spun away, her cheeks blazing. “I’ll wait for you in front of the church.” “Don’t go.” He jammed his hat onto his head and splashed across the water to the bank. “We should go back. Your aunt will be wondering where we are.” “She knows where to find me.” He slipped his shirt on, retrieved his boots, and sat down on a fallen log to pull them on, trying to think of some way to hold on to her company a little longer. “There’s a pretty little waterfall just upstream there. I’d love for you to see it. It isn’t far.” “I shouldn’t.” She kept her eyes trained on the river. “We shouldn’t even be here. You know how some people love to talk.” He sighed and buttoned his shirt. “I suppose you’re right. Another time, then.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Since last Friday, too many of his thoughts had been centered on a certain young Bostonian with soft gray eyes and a stubborn streak a mile wide. He found himself thinking of her at the oddest times, imagining her making tea for Lillian or gathering flowers in the garden. He wondered what she’d look like dressed in a riding skirt and a Stetson, cantering with him across a rolling Texas grassland.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“But the carpet!” “I’ll take care of it. Go on. No, wait!” He found a towel and blotted her skirt, then dabbed at her cheeks. He smiled down at her, and she really looked at him for the first time. A shock of thick dark hair brushed the collar of his denim work shirt. A straight nose. A full mouth that turned up at the corners. But it was the unusual color of his eyes that held her attention. They were the deepest blue she’d ever seen. The color of the sea in shadow. Boston blue, her mother would have said.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“He jumped lightly to the ground and turned to help Ada down. He lifted her, his hands around her waist. Mercy, but the woman felt good in his arms. Smelled good too, like warm skin and some kind of exotic flower.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“Very well. I’ll ride with you.” He looked down at her. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?” She ground her teeth. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” A wide grin split his tanned face. “Maybe.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure

“As the buckboard gathered speed, she devoured the second piece of chicken, polished the apple on the sleeve of her jacket, and took a bite, enjoying the satisfying and decidedly unladylike crunch. “You are hungry!” Wyatt said. “Hollow all the way to your toes.” Ada blushed and then chided herself for caring what he thought. “That’s all right,” he added. “I like a woman with an appetite.”
― Dorothy Love, Beyond All Measure