As he held me close, my heart beating in time to his, I knew that whenever we decided to tell the girls Jack was their father, they might not understand. It would probably take time for them to adjust to this new reality. I wasn’t even sure what I would say. But sometimes the words don’t matter, I realized as I stood with Jack, as he stood with me, saying nothing but telling me everything I would ever need to know.
I thought of my parents again, finally resting across the water from me, of the seeds on Kimmy’s farm sprouting in the darkness, of my grandchildren sleeping upstairs.
And I knew for sure that, sometimes, the truest things in life, the ones that mean the most, can’t be explained in words.
It reassured me to remember that, oh so often, the truth is found in the beauty of the silence.
acknowledgments
I have always been in awe of the sacrifices soldiers make and of the ways in which those left behind carry on while they are away. Writing this book, envisioning what it must be like for a military wife to continue on with her life during the worst of the worst, and hearing stories from actual military wives along the way, was one of the most gratifying parts of writing this novel. I want to thank all the members of our armed forces and their spouses, first and foremost, for the sacrifices you make for our safety. This story is out of my imagination and any mistakes are mine and mine alone, but I have to thank my friend Army Brigadier General and author A.J. Tata for talking me through some of the finer points of military life.
Lauren McKenna, I think you are perhaps the finest editor in all the world. Thank you for your time and attention to this novel and for your help in making my first series as strong as it could possibly be. Sara Quaranta, Marla Daniels, Abby Zidle, Jen Long, Jen Bergstrom, Diana Velasquez, Theresa Dooley, Michelle Podberezniak, and everyone at Gallery Books, thank you for all you have done to make this novel come to life. I’ve never been more convinced that launching a book is like raising a child: It takes a village.
Kathie Bennett, thank you for your vision for my career and your determination to make it happen. You have made me believe in myself. Susie Zerenda, thank you for sharing the gift of your words and for tirelessly touting my novels.
Bob Diforio, thank you for shepherding this book into the world and for your advice, support, and guidance.
I am eternally grateful to the bloggers, reporters, reviewers, and book angels in my life. There are too many to name here, but Jenny O’Regan, I wanted to give you a special thank-you. You were the very first person to email me to ask to help when news of my first novel broke, and that did and still does mean everything to me. Deirdre Parker Smith, not only did you guide me through my very first newspaper internship, but you have been such a cheerleader for me and have gone above and beyond at every turn. Stephanie Gray, Jessica Sorentino, and Stacey Armand, it is new bookish friends like you that keep this journey fresh and fun. Nicole McManus, from My Sister’s Books to Aries Girl to Sasee, you have given my books so much love wherever you go, and I am grateful. Andrea Katz, thanks for your listening ear, your good advice, and for generally being a rock star. Kristy Barrett, you are always a ray of sunshine right when I need one. And Susan Roberts, Susan Walters Peterson, and Jenny Belk, you were my first early readers and remain some of my most supportive. I wouldn’t be here without you.
My design blogger girls, there are too many of you to name here, but, literally, you launched my career. Hands down. Thank you for your enthusiasm, your support, and for sharing your readers and your corners of the internet with me year after year. I love you all so much and am in awe of your generosity!
From the time I was a little girl, independent bookstores have been some of my favorite places on earth, and I have to thank all of them around the country, especially the SIBA stores, for being such cheerleaders for me. South Main Book Co., The Country Bookshop, Litchfield Books, Buxton Books, Fiction Addiction, Dee Gees, Park Road Books, The Bookshelf, BookTowne, FoxTale, Books Unlimited, Downtown Books, Duck’s Cottage, and Avid Book Shop, thank you for making the Southern Charm tour such a huge success. The Pat Conroy Center and East Carolina University, thanks for launching this one. It is such an honor for me to be a part of all the good you do!
Beaufort Linen Company and Neuse Sports Shop, thank you for being the most amazing booksellers in towns where we, sadly, don’t have a bookstore. You guys rock!
Sabina Hitchen, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: You’re a big handful of brilliant glitter and your enthusiasm and wonderful ideas are always just what I need!
Macie Flynn, thank you for all your help this year with a million different things. I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Tamara Welch, you are one of those book angels I was talking about, and I don’t know what I would do without you! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with me.
It isn’t often that we get to meet our heroes in real-life and even less often that they become our friends. Mary Alice Monroe, I am so honored to count you among mine, and I can’t thank you enough for your beautiful endorsement of this book.
My Tall Poppy Writer friends, I hope you know this, but each and every one of you makes this experience so much fun. I am so blessed to have you!
I absolutely could not do
