acknowledgements

This story was not easy to write.

It took nine years to nurture and grow from an idea and a few hasty but emotional paragraphs . . . to the work you now hold in your hands. Nine years of thinking, writing, editing, and hoping. As you can imagine, nine years of work means nine years of support. There were many, many days where I just had to put it down. Without the support of a long list of amazing people I’m not sure I would have ever gotten up the courage to see it through. I’m sure I’ll miss someone, so if you’ve helped me in any way, please know that I am grateful.

To the military spouses of Greenwood, NS, you may not know it, but a long time ago I started writing words down because of you. You were brave and strong, and made me think of the fears of every military spouse. The first words came from you. And to the hundreds, maybe thousands of military spouses I’ve met and talked with since that time, your stories and courage kept the spark alive in my mind.

To my original online critique group: Tina Moss, Yelena Casale, Kristi Jenkins, and Jen Duffy, thank you for reading my drivel and not telling me how bad it really was.

A second thank you to Tina, for pushing me to submit to just one more agent after years of rejections . . . the one agent that counted.

To Jennifer Mishler and Frances Black of Literary Counsel. You two are amazing! From fantasy YA to a deep, raw adult fiction, you didn’t even bat an eye when I sent you Dependent—Best. Agents. Ever.

To Christopher Loke at Jolly Fish Press, who loved Dependent from the start, to Kirk Cunningham and all of the team at JFP: thank you for making this story sing.

To the many folks who read Dependent as it grew into this novel: Tracy, Rachel, Jacquie, and my sister Kathy, thank you for sharing your thoughts. And to the many others who supported the idea of Dependent before they read a word. Whether military or civilian, family, friend or fan, your support has been invaluable.

To my parents, who never stopped believing in me. I am blessed to call you Mom and Dad.

To my children, who deal with dust rhinos, boxed food and frazzled mom on a daily basis, thank you for just being you. You are unique, intelligent and amazing. I love you.

To Vicki Morrison, thank you just doesn’t seem enough. You knew the worth of Dependent before I did, before you even read it. Thank you for pushing me to finish it.

And to Tom, who read it first. In a world with so few happy endings, I am always and eternally grateful you are mine.