It seems a fitting place to be here in Garden City Beach, South Carolina, looking out on the Murrells Inlet Marsh in early August, writing acknowledgments for a book that found its inspiration in this place only two short years ago. I have just finished reading the galleys for The Fireman's Wife, the last chance I will have to touch the lives of Cassie and Peck. It will be up to them now to go out into the world to tell their story. My job is finished.
Looking back on this journey, I have traveled far and wide to gather in Pecks and Cassie's lives. From the low country of South Carolina to the high peak of Whiteside Mountain outside Highlands, North Carolina, I have traversed the geography of their lives, meeting folks who were able to add authenticity to their story through a strong sense of place. Without the help of these lovely people, Peck and Cassie's story would not have been possible. I am indebted to them all.
In Garden City Beach, there are the usual suspects, the ladies at Seawatch Inn at the Landing, the place where I wrote most of Pecks life. Renata Beebe, Kim Saunders, Kim Herriot, and Virginia Blake have always provided a quiet, lovely space for my story telling to come alive, not to mention the homemade cookies to nibble on. In addition, Paula and Wade Nichols, longtime residents of Garden City Beach, treated me to a lovely dinner in Mur-rell's Inlet, where they were able to confirm my suspicions about the marsh and surrounding geography during the 1970s. It was a warm and enjoyable evening with new good friends.
Carolyn and Bob Riordan are very special. They opened their lovely mountain home to me on numerous occasions, so I could learn about Cassie's life, the land she traversed as a child, the college where she would dream of going one day until that fateful summer of 1954 when she visited the low country of South Carolina. This book would not exist without Awassa.
To backtrack in 2007 to a time that is completely gone from the mountains required some conversations with those who have lived in the coves and towns all their lives, or long enough at least to know where all the bodies are buried. I was lucky enough to find several people in and around Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina, who opened their homes, allowing a total stranger the chance to “pick their brains” about a lost time and place. My thanks go out first to Suzannne Roweton, whom I met along Whiteside Cove Road. She offered to introduce me to the “caretaker” of the land that I wanted to hike, land that would help me understand Cassie better. That caretaker was Suzanne's father! Kenneth and Linda Smoak allowed me (and my dog!) into their home so I could learn about the country in and around Whiteside Cove. Kenneth invited me to hike on private land where Cassie's father would have walked during his visits to Whiteside Mountain. The next day I made the six-hour trek that would reveal much about Cassie's life and help me to create authenticity in her existence. The hospitality shown by Kenneth and Linda Smoak and Suzanne and Kenneth Roweton helped me feel that this place I have always visited is now part of my home.
Debra Rogers of Ashburn Real Estate was gracious enough to sit with me for an afternoon, offering her impressions of Highlands, North Carolina, back in the 1970s, and when I needed to go back further, I was blessed to meet Sue Potts from the Highlands Historical Society. She stayed with me until early evening one cold February day after I had been out traipsing around the mountains alone and uncertain about what I was looking for. A lifetime resident of Highlands, Sue sat and told me wonderful stories, some of which found their way into this book, albeit altered or fictionalized to make them part of Cassie's life before she met Peck.
I would be remiss not to mention my good friend Bit Holton, who helped me navigate through the legal issues of real estate law in the 1970s. He helped me devise the devious plot John Boyd Carter brings to bear on Meemaw and Cassie. Bit is one of my closest childhood friends who, along with his wife, Kim, have remained dear to me even as the years have grown between us.
There are those in Atlanta who have stuck with me over the years. George and Jayne Cavagnaro, Andy and Shelley Rogers, John (Goose) and Kelly Hetzel have always been loving and kind in their support of my writing. Debra Marlow and Barbara Antley are two women who have read my early drafts and always supported me with kindness and love toward my work.
At Georgia Perimeter College, I want to thank our president, Dr. Anthony Tricoli, for the vision and direction he has set for our college and his understanding of my place in it. Rob Jenkins, the director of the Writers Institute, who has been my most ardent supporter during the writing of this book—thank you, Rob. And Pamela Parker, who has been there from the start and continues to this day to support my writing, you have always been ready to read and critique my work. Thank you.
Without Stella Connell's love for my work, this book would never have been published. And without Jane von Mehren's belief in Cassie and Peck, I wouldn't have been blessed with Robin Rolewicz, who saw the story even before I did! I am thankful to Millicent Bennett, who, as my editor, worked unendingly to make this book shine for Ballantine. And last but certainly not least, my agent, Amy Hughes, who saw the story when it was raw and fresh and still knew what it could be. You took a chance, and for that I am indebted to you.
Finally, to my parents, who stand deep in age and wisdom. You have been steadfast in your love and belief in me. God bless you.
I don't know what will happen to The Fireman's Wife, but I know that the journey is over. The lives of these characters and the real people I have met along the way have been woven into a rich tapestry that is now a part of my life for always. I can let Cassie and Peck move out into the world knowing that they are ready to go, that their lives are complete, their story finished. It is up to others now to decide what will become of Cassie and Peck, good people with a story they would like to tell you.
August 2008