He Touched The Rough Crucifix That Lay

You Are Mine, Always, If Ye Will It Or No, If Ye Want Me Or Nay. Mine, And I Willna Let Ye Go

That's For Calling Your Father A Fool. It May Be True, But It's Disrespectful. Brian Fraser To Teenage Jamie

Conflict And Character Are The Heart Of Good Fiction, And Good Mystery Has Both Of Those In Spades.

I Wept Bitterly, Surrendering Momentarily To My Fear And Heartbroken Confusion, But Slowly I Began To Quiet A Bit, As Jamie Stroked My Neck And Back, Offering Me The Comfort Of His Broad, Warm Chest. My Sobs Lessened And I Began To Calm Myself, Leaning Tiredly Into The Curve Of His Shoulder. No Wonder He Was So Good With Horses, I Thought Blearily, Feeling His Fingers Rubbing Gently Behind My Ears, Listening To The Soothing, Incomprehensible Speech. If I Were A Horse, I'd Let Him Ride Me Anywhere.

If She Was Broken, She Would Slash Him With Her Jagged Edges, Reckless As A Drunkard With A Shattered Bottle.