“Something dropped on her shoulder, but even as she screamed, her heart stopping midbeat, the next oncoming branch swept the tarantula away. Aww! Ick! She manically brushed her shoulder with her free hand, every inch of her covered in goose bumps. "When running from people who're trying to kill you," Walker advised as he kept dragging her, "it's better to stay quiet. Generally speaking.”

“He smiled. "I bet the paper ran something about you once your hiring was confirmed. A new cop is big news in a small town. People were probably admonished to make you feel at home." She shook her head with some amusement. "I would have felt more at home if they shot at me,.”

“He kissed her dizzy, then lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waisst as he kissed his way down her neck. "Make love to me," she whispered. "Like I'm a full-grown woman." He pulled back to look at her. "As opposed to...?”

“She turned on the radio. Christmas music filled the car. She turned it off with a groan. "It's not going to turn you into an elf if you listen," he promised and liked the smile that played at the corner of her lips, wiggling the small mole that kept drawing his attention. She glanced at him. "Do you believe in Christmas?" "I do," he said without hesitation. "Even after all you've seen and done overseas?" "Especially because of that...”

“A dangerous glint came into his eyes. "Gabi, if I ever show up in your bedroom in the middle of the nigh, believe me, it won't be to give you a morality lesson." She felt the promise of that through her body down to her toes. But she said, "If anyone showed up in my bedroom in the middle of the night, I'm likely to shoot them." He laughed as he shook his head at her. "Of course, you would.”

“I learned from a tough Philly cop, Carmen Morales. She taught me the rules." "What rules?" "Rule #1: Trust no one. Rule #2: Miss nothing. Rule #3: Reveal nothing. Rule #4: Question everything. Rule #5: Eye on the clock. Rule #6: Get lucky. Rule #7: Trust your instincts. "Good rules to live by. The army has rules too." "I bet.”

“It's all messed up," she said. "What is?" he asked quietly from behind her. "Us." "We're doing okay." "I didn't set out to trap you or anything." Keith had accused her of that a hundred times. "I don't feel trapped." "Why?" "I'm a simple guy. I have a beautiful woman in my arms. What's there to complain about?" "I'm hardly beautiful. I look like an eggplant." "Purple is my favorite color." "There's a really annoying dinosaur you might want to watch with Justin over breakfast." But she smiled into the darkness.”

“He glanced around, his eyes widening a little when he looked toward her bedroom. She winced, but resisted the urge to jump and close the door. He was staring at the poster above her bed, an image of Annie Oakley with the quote "I ain't afraid to love a man. I ain't afraid to shoot him either.”

“Have you found your Christmas spirit yet? he asked as they drove by Broslin Square. The decorations were out of control. "This place would make Liberace feel underdressed.”

“Something dropped on her shoulder, but even as she screamed, her heart stopping midbeat, the next oncoming branch swept the tarantula away. Aww! Ick! She manically brushed her shoulder with her free hand, every inch of her covered in goose bumps. "When running from people who're trying to kill you," Walker advised as he kept dragging her, "it's better to stay quiet. Generally speaking.”

“She wasn't entirely sure if she was being rescued or kidnapped.”