◊
I wonder how many authors would admit their first novel would have been doomed to rest in peace had they known the arduous path leading to publication. Being both blessed and cursed to believe in myself and follow my dreams, I had no option but to finish what I had begun.
I owe my perseverance to my parents and grandparents who enriched my life with their values and taught me there are no limits to what you can accomplish. I believed you.
To my brother, Stephen, from the eyes of heaven, I hope you recognize your integrity and profound wisdom in my lead character, your namesake.
To my loving husband, Michael, although you did gently inquire about my progress, your supremely generous nature and belief in my talent provided me with the opportunity and the space to finish One If.
To my sons, Jeffrey and David, you are the epitome of the best of my characters—and you know exactly which ones I mean.
To Judi, Courtney, and Jaime— you are my women and the wind beneath my wings. And in this case, wings were part of the plan!
Professionally, to my forever colleague, Lou, I curse you and thank you simultaneously for planting the seed for this book no matter how I kicked and screamed down the path.
To my editors and professional associates—Teresa, Katrina, Paula, Brent, and the Pound Ridge Author Society, specifically, Nancy and Paula—without your support this book wouldn’t have come to fruition.
Equally important, I thank my first readers for their honest feedback. Theresa, Shiv, Sammi, Lisa, Emma, you were my green light, and then some.