Acknowledgments

Before this novel was a real story, it was simply an idea. And there are two important people who championed it at the very earliest stages. First, Elisabeth Weed, my dear literary agent: I thank you, always, for believing in me, for being so incredibly good at what you do and just plain lovely to work with. You are the best in the business, truly. Next, Denise Roy, my editor, now on our fifth book together, you steered me back to this novel when I found myself lost in a sea of ideas. Without your gentle nudges, this story wouldn’t be here. And without your immaculate editing, it wouldn’t be the novel it is. Especially touching was your ability to feel the emotions of my characters and draw from your own life in our editorial conversations. Hats off to you and all you do for me and my books.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful behind-the-scenes people who do such excellent work on behalf of my novels. I’m talking about you, Jenny Meyer, foreign agent extraordinaire; Shane King; Dana Murphy; and the always amazing Dana Borowitz. Also, all the fabulous folks at Plume: Phil Budnick, Liz Keenan, Milena Brown, Ashley Pattison, Kym Surridge, Kate Napolitano, Jaya Miceli—thank you all so much. (And a special thanks to Liz, who trekked all the way from New York to Seattle to spend a rainy day with me touring the places that inspired my novels and hanging on the houseboat.)

A special thanks to all of the critics, book bloggers, and booksellers whom I’ve come to know over the years. I’m endlessly grateful for your enthusiasm and kindness to me.

To my family and friends, as always, thanks for your unceasing support, love, and friendship. I have read that writers are a teeny bit cuckoo (truly; I’m afraid studies prove this), and I commend you for always being there for me, even when I’m in the throes of a first draft, or revising the next, or talking nonstop about the new idea that’s haunting me—especially longtime friend Sally Farhat Kassab; fiction writer and partner in crime Camille Noe Pagán; Natalie Quick, who always reminds me of the importance of forgiveness; the lovely Wendi Parriera and Lisa Bach; and so many others. Also, my family, much love to you: Terry and Karen Mitchell, and you, too, Josh, Jessica, and Josiah.

And I must thank the various people who were lovely to me (knowingly or unknowingly) as I wrote this novel, including the kind Beth Farrell (it all began aboard your charming houseboat!), Gayla Field, Jason Werle, Jeri Callahan, and so many more.

Music was incredibly important to my writing process for this book, especially the voice of Karen Carpenter singing “Rainy Days and Mondays,” as well as the diverse musical talents of Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny (the song “Make Peace” was put on repeat during the writing of this novel), Frank Sinatra, Shirley Horn, James Taylor, David Gray, Sarah McLachlan, and so many others.

In addition, I must share my gratitude with the incredible, kind, good, and warm houseboat community of Seattle’s Lake Union, especially those on the dock who put up with my rambunctious boys with grace and understanding, the neighbors who smiled at us on quiet foggy mornings, and those who waved from their decks while we paddled by.

Finally, to my boys, Carson, Russell, and Colby: We had fun on the houseboat, didn’t we? Your curiosity and playfulness inspired me, and I will always remember our time on the lake together. The ducks were so well fed during our stay there. And dear Jason, my husband, best friend, generous optimist, and superdad: The truest love in the pages of this novel is a reflection of my love for you. xo