“He listened like a cactus drinks the rain—every word a precious drop in a world frugal with wonder.” ― Laini Taylor, Strange the Dreamer

 “Ready?” he asked. He motioned for her to look to the sky.

She’d been on enough long walks with her father to know it was time to open her mind. Their times in nature usually held a secret surprise. It could be anything, really—a rainbow touching the snow or heart-shaped shade cast by a pair of trees. Anything. Today, the gift was being outside the second it started to snow.

“Ooh, Daddy! Look, it’s like a salt shaker!” She stuck her tongue out for the newborn snowflakes.

Blake followed her lead. Snow tasted sweeter with Emme around.”

― Debra Anastasia, Return to Poughkeepsie