You might say this is an unexpected story. For years I dreamed of telling Shelby and AJ’s story, and I hoped to tell Brett’s too. But I never expected, never thought, never ever considered telling Amy’s.
But friends insisted. So thank you to Carol Anne Giaquinto, Joy Van Tassel, and Mandy Zema for caring about Amy during her dark times and pushing me into listening to her tale. I hope you love her love story.
My deepest gratitude also goes to these fine people who answered a multitude of questions on a wide range of topics: Tina Yeager, therapist and life coach; Mark Mynheir, novelist and law enforcement investigator; Leanna Lindsay Hollis for farming and gardening info; Cathy Gambill for farming info and for sharing her personal story of a barn fire; Alan Hale, Ft. Worth firefighter; Teresa McDanel, who’s married to a cowboy and also the mom of one; Dr. Stephen Galloway, my favorite veterinarian; Gayelynn Oyler, my equine expert; Natalie Snodgrass and Jennifer Zarifeh Major, my tea-brewing experts; and to everyone on Facebook who took time to answer my odd and crazy questions. (Any details I got wrong are on me.)
My special thanks to novelist Naomi Rawlings for her invaluable feedback when this series was a one-story draft; fashion whiz Mandy Zema for creating Pinterest wardrobe boards for each of the series’ heroines; novelist Patricia Bradley for asking the right questions when I got stuck in a corner; author (and daughter) Bethany Jett for listening to me read the final draft as we drove to a writers conference; and to my sister Hebe Alexander, who courageously endured my writerly angst as the deadline grew closer and a resolution was nowhere in sight.
As always, I am so appreciative of my lovely agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, and my amazing team at Revell: Vicki Crumpton, Kristin Kornoelje, Michele Misiak, Karen Steele, Hannah Brinks, and Cheryl Van Andel. Each of you holds a special place in my heart.
Huge thanks and a heartfelt hug to each person on my Misty Willow Team. You are invaluable in your support, encouragement, and resourcefulness. Thank you so much.
My deepest love as always to Bethany, Jillian, Nate, and their families.
And thanks to my heavenly Father for the gift of unexpected stories.