In the Middle of Hickory Lane Quotes

“For the first time, I saw a pink glow breaking through the gray wisps that surrounded her, revealing the color of her true personality. Blush pink. I smiled. I should've known. I had known. Emme was nothing but kindhearted at her core.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I was talking about you, my little dandelion."
I faked shock. "A dandelion? Are you comparing me to a weed?"
"Ah-ah," she chastised. "Don't you know the saying about how some see a weed, while others see a wildflower? Dandelions are wildflowers, and they're the picture of survival, resilience, determination. Just like my Emme.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Peonies are a gift from the heavens above. I mean, just look at this flower, so big and round. The ruffled petals that look like they belong on a ball gown? Absolute perfection. That scent? It always reminds me of rose and jasmine. I sell these stems at the Sweetplace, but there's no better place for them than in a wedding bouquet, since peonies represent a happy marriage and a happy life. Mix them with some good stock in a bouquet, and well, you're kicking married life off right.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“You're smart to leave the past behind you. Otherwise, if you keep looking over your shoulder at it, you might miss what's right ahead of you.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“For me, the library had been my Narnia, a magical place that took me away to another land, where I learned more than I had ever hoped. Librarians instinctively took me under their wings, protecting me as much as they could from the evils inherent in my mother's way of life. Books had become my refuge, my only friends, family, my escape from my everyday reality.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Some people consider moss a nuisance, but I find it to be utterly beautiful in its simplicity. Moss symbolizes a charitable nature and a mother's love, and every time I see it, it makes me remember my mama. She's the one who taught me---and Bee---all about the language of flowers.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“The amazing thing about life was the ability to constantly reinvent yourself. To change. To evolve. To learn. To heal. To make new friends. To fall in love. To grow.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Through the haze of love, sometimes it’s hard to see reason.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“My mother always said a smile was one of the best weapons of distraction.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“The space closest to my heart had been closed off long ago, locking in those who were already housed inside and keeping out everyone else. It hadn’t been an easy choice, but it was the only way I had been able to move on with my life”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Why'd your mother choose the name Glory? Is there meaning behind it?"
"I thought she had chosen it because morning glories represent mortal life, but Mama told me it was because there had been a golden light around me when I came back to Georgia. Said it looked like a full-body halo. Till the day she died, she said that light was because when Bee had gone to glory, glory had come to me."
It was impossible not to remember that the first time I saw Glory, I'd thought she glowed with light as well, as if her innate goodness shined for all to see.
"But I don't think it's some kind of halo at all," she said, "even though such a big piece of me died that night in this garden."
"What do you think it is?"
She glanced at a bee skimming the water of the gazing pool. "It's always reminded me of honey. Especially since I feel like the bees are looking out for me. I've felt their buzzing underfoot since that horrible night. It never went away. I like to think that the glow---and the buzzing---are their reminders that I'm safe now.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I'm surprised there aren't any lotus flowers in the gazing pool, seeing that they mean rebirth. After all, this is essentially where Bee Gipson died and Glory Wynn was born, isn't it?”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Usually they're so meek, but these are cheeky little darlings. If you can't tell by those delicate rosette faces, they're related to ranunculus. So you know charm is in their genetic makeup. But did you know they represent anticipation? And it's also said that anemones are protection plants that ward off evil and ill will.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“There truly aren't enough words to describe the exquisiteness of dahlias. They're simply stunning with their grand size---I have dinner plates smaller! And those rich colors---they're absolutely drenched in beauty. It's little wonder that they represent dignity and elegance.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Aunt Glory mentioned that you weren't able to see Emme's true colors, so you don't know what she's like deep down."
I recalled the look in Emme's eyes last night while we stood in the garage. "I know enough to know she's not going to steal my silver."
Mama's voice rose. "You're being narrow-minded."
"Me?" I snapped, suddenly hurting all over. "I think that phrase better suits you right now.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“As we approached Glory's stall, she grinned as she looked between Chase and me. "Delegation! I love it. You've got some good leadership skills there, Emme honey."
I said, "It wasn't so much delegation as appropriation."
Chase's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed as he reassess me. "Hold up now. I was being a gentleman.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“The shelves were filled with baskets of goodies, and mason jars had been loaded with beautiful honey lollipops, their amber color almost translucent. There were tiered trays full of boxed cake slices and stunning cupcakes topped with playful fondant bees, clear packaging showing all the delight inside. An old tobacco basket on the countertop was brimming with sugar cookie sandwiches filled with various types of frosting.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I lifted another crate. This one was filled with clear plastic bags stuffed with treats. Each bag was labeled with a beautiful GLORY & BEE sticker and tied at the top with gold ribbon. There were cookies, caramels, fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, truffles. I wanted to sample them all.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“It looks like summer with its green velvety leaves and these magnificent stacked white flowers that look like an ice-cream cone. But doesn't it smell like Christmas? Stock's scent is reminiscent of clove. It represents beauty everlasting and a joyous, happy life. It also symbolizes a lasting, loving bond.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“The dining table had been decorated with jars full of flowers of varying colors, heights, scents. Caladium, salvia, violas, snapdragons, or "snaps" as Glory called them. I'd learned their names---and forgotten half a dozen others as Glory and I had strolled through the garden earlier.
Votive candles set into pale-pink glass holders flickered along the table runner. The glass- and silverware sparkled in the early evening sunlight, while dust motes floated lazily through the air. The roast chicken and whipped potatoes, pull-apart rolls, green bean salad, and cucumbers and onions soaked in Italian dressing had been consumed.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“With her fair skin, big green eyes, and those stunning freckles, it wouldn't take much to banish her current street urchin look. Because even as she was, all raw and unpolished, it was easy to see she was a natural beauty, almost bohemian in nature---a modern-day flower child.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I built a stone sittin' ledge around the natural spring, which I'm calling the gazing pool because it's mesmerizing. The bees love it, too. I often see them flying near it, and sometimes, and I know this sounds strange, they seem to take on a golden shimmer when they're near the water. I planted some ferns at the pool, too, because some believe ferns represent magic, and it sure feels magical out there to me.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I glanced into the basket at a pair of beautiful pale apricot-colored flowers. "Are those roses?"
"They look like roses but they're ranunculus. Stunning, aren't they?" She picked them up, holding them close to her face as she wiggled her pale eyebrows. "They symbolize attractiveness and charm.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“The bee buzzed past again, flying in spirals toward the water. I followed it with my gaze, hoping it didn't plunge into the pool, as I didn't think bees could swim. It turned out I needn't have worried, as its fuzzy yellow body simply skimmed the water's surface. As I stared at the bee, it seemed to me its yellow bands began to glow brightly.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“The buzzing beneath my feet intensified as I neared the small pool of water. This had to be the gazing pool I'd heard about. Sheltered by tall, skinny evergreens and shrubs that held heavy clusters of small, delicate white flowers, it was shaded by the canopy of an old live oak tree that had moss growing at the base of its trunk.
Curiosity drew me in. Faint ripples pulsed along the water's surface as the small pool burbled gently, peacefully, as if I relieved to be unburdened of its long-held secret about Bee. I studied the burbling, wondering what caused it, because it didn't appear that anyone had placed a running hose beneath its surface. There was no equipment at all. Just clear water.
A knee-high mossy stone wall enclosed the pool, and ferns grew along its foundation, nestled snugly, their fronds rustling in the warm breeze. Suddenly I felt the urge to sit and stare into the water, and I absently smiled, thinking the gazing pool had been appropriately named.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I quickly shifted my gaze to the wallpaper, where it skimmed across the bright flowers and mischievous rabbits and landed on one of the bees in the print. I swear I saw its wings flutter. I reached out to touch it only to realize the bee was warm under my fingertip.
"Do you like the wallpaper?" Cora Bee asked. "Some people think it's too busy, too colorful, too much."
I turned to face Cora Bee. "It's not any of that. It's perfect."
Though her eyes were tired, haunted, she smiled. "I think you'll fit in around here just fine, Emme."
And I smiled, too, because I knew she wasn't lying.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I wished I could read the personalities of young children more easily, but because the early years were all about formation, true personalities didn't start showing up until nine or ten years of age.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“This neighborhood was special, buzzing with charm, but not everyone could feel it. From flowers that sometimes bloomed out of season to the barely perceptible tremors underfoot to the gazing pool. Especially the gazing pool. Although almost everyone had heard tales of what the gazing pool had to offer, not everyone who sat on its stone ledge experienced its enchantment. It seemed to reveal itself only to those who truly felt a connection to nature.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“I've been able to see colors around people and objects my whole life long. Through my eyes, colors drifted around people, like softly falling snow, offering glimpses of personalities. Floaters, I called them. It had taken me years to figure out the language of the colors, their meaning. Take Alice, for example. Orange floated around her, telling me of her playful, energetic personality.
But after my car accident, other colors, secondary colors, had become sharper, clearer, louder. They were emotional colors and were nearly impossible to ignore. After Mabel had knocked me down, around Alice there had been sparks of dark plum. Remorse.
"Were you able to see her personality?" Glory asked, her thin eyebrows raised high.
Only close family knew how I could see color---it was too hard, too strange, to explain to others. However, my abilities weren't the least bit odd to Glory, who knew where to plant a flower seed simply by looking at it, or to my mother, who had never been lost a day in her life because she instinctively knew which direction to go. We came from a long line of people who had enhanced intuitions connected to nature.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane

“Doesn't it seem like the thin green stems won't be strong enough to hold its heavy flower cluster? But it is stronger than it looks. See all the tiny white flowers? There has to be at least a hundred individual flowers in every cluster, each with four petals, and some are even tinted with pale-pink dots, like they're trying to set themselves apart from the others. They're so pretty it's hard to believe they're even real. They're hydrangeas and are believed to represent heartfelt feelings, persistence, and thankfulness for being accepted.”
― Heather Webber, In the Middle of Hickory Lane