The Accidental Bride 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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“I love you so much, Shay Brandenberger. I want you to be my wife because you choose to be, not because of some cockamamie accident. I want to love you the rest of your life. I want to be a father for Olivia . . .” He reached out and palmed the side of her belly, a tiny smile hitching up his lips. “A father for our child.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“I know I let you down before. I know I hurt you, and I’ll have to earn back your trust. I’ll be as patient as I need to be, only please let me prove it to you. Let me prove that I’m here to stay. I’ve never wanted anything so badly in my whole life.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“It had been so long, a full five months since he’d left. Since she had tossed him from the property. What would she say when she saw him? He feared she’d kick him from her land without giving him a chance to explain. Travis wiped his sweaty palms down the length of his thigh. She’d hear him out whether she wanted to or not. He’d tossed her over his shoulder once before, and he’d do it again. He loved her, and it was time she believed it.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“He didn’t want to share his life with a couple stinky cowboys. He wanted Shay back. He wanted them to be a family, Shay, Olivia, and him. He wanted to share Shay’s bed, to wake up and see her face every morning for the rest of his life. He wanted to hear Olivia call for “Dad” again and know she was calling for him.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Need some help?” Her breath fogged on release. Shay took in her flimsy red peacoat and soft-soled shoes. “You’re not really dressed for it. I told you to finish your lunch.” “You seemed upset. I didn’t want to leave you alone.” Shay shoved the block deep into the bed. “Yeah, well. I’m fine.” “You’re not fine. You miss him.” “I’ll get over it.” “Why don’t you just ask him to come back?” Shay crossed her arms. “And why would I do that?” “Because you love him.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Talk to me.” She shrugged. “Nothing to say.” “You’re strung tighter’n these wires.” “You scared me, is all.” He hooked a finger under her jaw, turning her face. “It’s more’n that.” She pulled away. “You haven’t exactly been Mr. Easygoing lately either, you know.” He was quiet so long she almost looked at him. Almost. In the quiet, she could feel her pulse throbbing in her neck. “Reckon you’re right,” he said. She could count on one hand the times she’d heard that from a man. One finger. “It’s harder than I thought.” “What is?” she asked, then pressed her lips together, suddenly sure she didn’t want to know. “Loving you.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Shay, wait.” She shot him a look. He was getting that look a lot these days, and he felt his patience draining. “What? What did I do?” “Move.” He could be stubborn too. “Not till you tell me what’s wrong.” “Nothing’s wrong.” “You could freeze water with those looks.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“His lips began moving with the lyrics. Every long-lost dream . . . He was singing them to her, and she wanted to believe he meant them. Believe he felt the way the song’s writer had, that the other women had only been a sign pointing him back to her.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“What’s wrong?” She closed her eyes as if she could erase the sound of his anguish. “I can’t.” He was suspended above her for the space of a dozen heartbeats, then he eased his hips down beside her, his weight braced on the arm that spanned her torso. In the quiet moment they caught their breath. Unspent desire coursed through her veins, making her want to whimper. “Talk to me,” he said. She couldn’t find the words. They were there, in her mind, but they danced just out of reach. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” “I—I don’t want this.” “You did a minute ago.” His gentle tone made the truth go down a little easier. “Come on, Travis. We’re both grown-ups. What you want and what’s good for you are two different things.” He turned her face toward him, and she opened her eyes. “Give me another chance. I know I don’t deserve it, but . . .” There was more he wanted to say. She watched him struggle, wished the shadows would part and reveal his thoughts. But he didn’t finish his sentence. “Nothing’s changed.” She wouldn’t trust her heart to him again. Not after last time. Not after Garrett. She was done trusting her heart to men. It hurt too much when they left, wasn’t worth the risk. “I’ve changed.” She didn’t like looking up at him, didn’t like being trapped by his arm. She scooted backward, came to a sitting position a safe distance away—if there was such a thing. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. But he would. In three months or three years. He’d leave her, and she’d hate herself for trusting him again, for giving herself fully only to be hurt. One time you could excuse. Twice just made you stupid. “It’s late.” She stood, tugged her nightshirt into place. “Get some sleep.” She turned toward her room. Her body felt heavy, her legs trembling with each step. “It won’t go away, you know.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“See you got your walking license.” “Yep. ’Fraid you’ll have to put up with me all day from now on.” His eyes slitted, and he tilted his head. “You’re looking to boss me around, aren’t you?” Shay smiled. “Better believe it.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“His heart stirred with a yearning desire. Desire to protect her, desire to hold her and love her.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Mind your own business.” He ran his hand over his jaw. “You are my business.” “Ha!” she yelled at the bull, slapping his rump. When he didn’t budge, she turned and limped toward the crutch, her face set. Stubborn woman. “I mean it, Shay.” “Go away, McCoy.” She’d be on those crutches for keeps if she didn’t stop. Or if he didn’t stop her. He followed, arriving as she bent to fetch the crutch. Without thought, he swooped down and caught her hip on his shoulder. “Put me down!” He held her legs tight to his chest, careful of her splinted foot. More careful than she was. He started for the house. She swatted at him. “Put. Me. Down!” Like a wet cat. “Put your claws away, woman.” “I have to unsaddle my horse!” Whack. “I’ll handle it.” She grabbed the back of his thigh and pinched. Hard. That would leave a mark. He gritted his teeth. When the pinch failed to work, she returned to swatting anything in reach. “Insufferable . . .” Whack. “Egotistical . . .” Whack. “Pigheaded . . .” Whack. “Bully!” The last swat landed on his backside. “Feeling good, darlin’.” She stopped abruptly, let out an angry roar. He opened the door and eased her through, kicking the door with his heel. When he reached the couch, he lowered his ungrateful load.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“He does that again, I’ll knock him into tomorrow.” “We haven’t even left the church parking lot. Didn’t you hear Pastor’s message?” “Didn’t Beau?” Between them, Olivia chuckled. “He was loving his neighbor, all right.” Shay smothered a laugh, then glanced at Travis. He looked torn between anger and humor. “Yeah, well, he’d better find another neighbor to love. This one’s my wife.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Tonight had given her hope. Maybe he had grown up, learned a thing or two over the years. Maybe it was time to put the past behind her. Maybe they could live in harmony for the next several months. If she could just ignore the chemistry and block out his handsome face, maybe they could manage a cautious friendship.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“I missed you most of all, you know,” he said. “You were my best friend.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Got an idea,” Travis called from the kitchen. “No.” If he thought he was taking her out tonight, he had another think coming. “Shoot, woman, hear me out. Fishing. Bass are biting up by Boulder Pass.” She hadn’t fished in a month of Sundays. “Says who?” “Jacob Whitehorse.” Travis appeared in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. “Said he took home enough for a week of suppers. What d’ya say?”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“She heard him fumbling around in the bed of the truck and then her door was opening. She turned on the seat, but he was empty-handed. “My crutches?” He turned his back to her. “Hop on.” Wrap her arms around his neck? Her legs around his waist? It was the last thing she wanted to do. He backed his tush up to the seat, and she fought the urge to scoot away. “Sometime tonight?” “How far we going?” “Five whole feet to the back of the truck. Come on, night’s a-wasting.” Just around to the back. A three-second ride was all. She huffed, then put her hands on his shoulders and curled her legs around his middle, attaching herself to him like an awkward backpack. “Just so you know, I’d rather be in bed.” “Music to my ears, darlin’.” He bumped the door closed with his knee. She thumped him on the back of the head, and his hat fell to the ground. He just chuckled and hitched her higher. Up close, she could smell the faint hint of musk, feel the warmth of his back against her belly, the strength of his shoulders under her. He’d always been strong and capable. And protective.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“It’s a deal.” He lowered the brush as he realized what she was saying. He didn’t question it, knew he’d better accept her consent before she took it back. “I’ll be right over.” “Wait!” Her voice shook on the command. “Some rules first . . .” “Shoot.” Terms didn’t matter a lick. He’d agree to anything. “There’ll be no . . . funny business.” His lips twitched. “Not unless you—” “I don’t. Another thing . . . when this arrangement ends—” “If this arrangement ends.” “Fine. If. It needs to be clear it was my doing, my choice. If everyone thinks our marriage is real—” “It is real.” “You know what I mean. If they think we’re splitting, it was my decision. Understand?” “I’ll take out an ad in the Moose Creek Chronicle if you want.” “And I’m keeping my name.” If she wanted to keep that mouthful-of-a-last-name, more power to her. “I’m only doing this because I’m desperate, you know,” she said. That was a hard kick to the solar plexus. “Now, Shay, don’t go flattering.” “This is business. That’s all.” Full disclosure, McCoy. “It’s business for you, I get that. But you need to understand it’s personal for me. As long as we understand each other, I don’t see a problem.” The quiet on the other end of the line unsettled him. Maybe full disclosure wasn’t such a bright idea. “Fine.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“He’s all wrong for you,” Travis said. “You’re the expert? Last I checked, you resigned from that position.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Travis nodded Beau’s way. “Meyers. Good to see you.” “McCoy.” Beau gave him a reluctant nod and draped his arm around Shay’s shoulders. The action was ornery and gutsier than she would’ve given Beau credit for. Just because she could, Shay let his arm rest there. Her eyes flickered to Travis, but he’d turned to watch the Silver Spurs. A shadow flickered across his jaw.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“So what are you going to do? Wade said he’s here until his folks return from Guatemala, and that’s not for—” Her eyes swung upward, over Shay’s head. “His being here is no concern of mine.” “Shay . . .” “I got plenty to keep me busy and—” “Uh, Shay.” “—last thing I’m worried about is—” “Travis McCoy!” Abigail stood to her feet. “I’m Abigail, Wade’s wife.” He is not standing behind me. Shay turned and followed a long denim leg upward. Travis stood behind her with Wade. Towering over her. She stood, dusted off her rear end, and crossed her arms. She wasn’t going to look.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“She jerked away, pulled free, then hiked her dress and stalked down the path. “Shay, wait.” She whirled, shooting him all kinds of angry. “Don’t you say one more word to me. Not. One. More. Word.” She removed the ring and flung it at him. He caught it against his chest. She wiped the back of her fingers across her mouth again. He felt her pain. Not so easy, is it, sweetness? She turned and walked away, dress hiked to the top of her boots, a sliver of her legs showing.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“Founders Day tradition dictated a peck on the cheek, but Travis had never been a follower. He lowered his head and took advantage of her surprise. Her lips were soft as a rose petal and just as pliable. He’d meant it to be a quick, comforting brushing of lips, but then she responded. Just the faintest movement. The yielding lit a fire in his belly that wouldn’t be extinguished anytime soon. He went back for seconds. I’ve missed you so much. He took her face in his hands, wanted to thread his fingers through that long thick hair and pull her closer. But then two palms planted into his chest and pushed hard. Her eyes spat sparks. She dragged the back of her hand across her lips as if wiping the kiss away. Won’t be as easy as that, darlin’.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride

“She wanted to smack the cocksure grin right off his face.”
― Denise Hunter, The Accidental Bride