Christy Baca, who unknowingly suggested this story.
My husband, Curt, who is patient and kind and generous and loving. I am blessed to have you in my life and in my corner.
My kids —Jack, Ashleigh, Matthew, Rebekah, Bradley, and Annaliese. As much as I love writing novels, you guys are far and away my greatest creations.
My mom, who always finds ways to make my life better.
My best friend and the other half of my writing brain, Ariel Lawhon.
The Writers and Sisters in Christ: Jenny B. Jones, Cara Putman, Cindy Thomson, Kit Wilkinson, Nicole O’Dell, and Kim Cash Tate.
The belles of Southern Belle View: Lisa Wingate, Rachel Hauck, Beth Webb Hart, and Shellie Tomlinson.
Kathy Patrick and Wanda Jewell, who opened the door and welcomed me in.
Jonathan Clements, who applauds from the balcony.
Crazy writers like me who take joy in doing this and help me remember my own: Karen Zacharias, Judy Christie, Kim Wright, Carla Stewart, Mary DeMuth, Nicole Seitz, Christa Allan, and Susan Meissner.
My IRL friends, who laugh with me and root for me: Jill Dean, Lisa Shea, Jen Tolbert, Missy Johnston, Lisa Whittle, Shari Braendel, Kim Young, April Mangum, Rachel Olsen, Karen Ehman, Zoe Elmore, Paige McKinney, and Nancy Malcor.
The on-location folks in Sunset Beach, North Carolina: Thom Seaman, the sculptor; the Carroll family, who own the real Time in a Bottle, for letting me use their house’s name; Lisa Massey, the chief of police; and Pat Wilson, who gave me a spot on the shelf at Pelican Books, my favorite bookstore in the world.
My story consultant, Nicci Jordan Hubert.
My agent, Esther Fedorkevich.
The folks at Zondervan: Sue Brower, Alicia Mey, Don Gates, Michelle Lenger, Jennifer VerHage, Heather Adams, Katie Beth Broaddus, Becky Philpott, Ben Greenhoe, Joyce Ondersma, Jackie Aldridge, and Tonya Osterhouse.
The Artist, who painted me pictures all along the way and supplied the words to describe them.