Acknowledgments

It is by the Grace of God that I moved to Virginia on His word and discovered the story of Mary Lumpkin. I am grateful for every step of this journey. Imani, Monique, Kaya, and Xola Moody, thank you for embarking upon the Richmond Slave Trail with us where the nugget of this story was planted. To my lovely family and friends, I appreciate you all. My father, Tyrone Murray, for reading every page with gusto and pride. My mother, Nancy Murray, for your unwavering love, and Francine Murray for your support. My wonderful in-laws, Paula Johnson, Glenn Johnson Sr., and Pacita Perera for lovingly cheering me on. My favorite sibs: Tauja, Nadiyah, and Talib Murray for always having my back, and my cousin Elisa Garbett for sharing Vinnie Brown with me along with our family tree. To all the Belles, with a special thanks to Claudia and Anne for being my guiding light, and Ashkira for allowing me to return the favor. To my early readers who urged me to keep writing this story: Mary Patterson of the Little Bookshop; Robin Farmer, Samantha Willis, and Toni Bonita. To Kimbilio and all my fellows. All the book clubs and readers who still love good fiction and spread the word for authors like me.

My A-team: Wendy Sherman for never giving up on me, and Cherise Fisher for being my backbone. I could not imagine writing without you. Editor extraordinaire Dawn Davis: I’m in awe of your magic and working with you has been a dream come true. Thanks also to the wonderful team at Simon & Schuster for having my best interest at heart: Leila Siddiqui, Brianna Scharfenberg, Carly Loman, Chelcee Johns, Lashanda Anakwah, Chonise Bass—you remind me of a younger me, and to everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to lift this book up. Shelby Sinclair, thanks for your keen eye and vast knowledge of our history. My children, Miles, Zora, and Lena Johnson: everything I do is for you. And my beloved husband, Glenn, who on that beautiful fall day pushed me to visualize my machine, and here we are. Thank you for being my rock, and my first pair of ears when my novels are just a sensation in my gut. After twenty-five years, we are just getting started.

Lastly, but certainly not least, thank you, dear reader, for picking up this novel and trusting me to feed your soul with what I hope is a good story. Your unwavering support fuels me to show up on the page.