Loretta Nyhan
I’ll Be Seeing You, a book about the power of friendship, would not exist without the generous spirits and open hearts of my friends listed below:
To my fantastic agent, Joanna Volpe, the miracle worker, who always knows how to take a sad song and make it better. You’re the greatest, Jo! Huge thanks to Nancy Coffey, Kathleen Ortiz and the incredibly smart, hard-working team at New Leaf Literary and Media Representation.
To the talented Erika Imranyi, the best editor two writers could possibly hope for, whose sharp eye and kind heart truly brought this novel to where it needed to be. I can’t imagine Rita and Glory’s story in anyone else’s hands. Thanks also to Leonore Waldrip, and the entire team at Harlequin MIRA.
To my early readers and writer buddies: the kindly assassin Kelly Vaiciulis, my walking partner Kathleen Bleck, Jenny Kales, Mike Callero, Erin Nyhan, Anna Maria Koch and photographer extraordinaire Alexa Frangos—thanks for your wisdom and good advice.
To my LGP ladies, especially my book club, Baby’s Got Paperback, for their kind support, and for welcoming me with open arms. Thanks also to the Terry Family, especially Margaux, for her enthusiasm.
To all my New Leaf agency sisters, who cheered me on from the start, especially Erica O’Rourke, Holly Bodger, Kody Keplinger and Amy Lukavics. The Team Volpe retreat needs to happen, and soon.
To the patron saints of novenas and prosecco, Lisa and Laura Roecker, who always held me up from afar—I’m forever grateful.
To Jean Lawlor, who never laughed when I added Cherry Coke to my beer, and always partnered up with me for square dancing in gym class. Thank heavens for Wendy’s salad bar, circa 1984.
To my wonderful in-laws, Tom and Maureen Nyhan, and the rest of the Nyhan clan, especially Mike, Dan, Ann, Seamus, Liam, Erin and Alex Sinvare. I am a lucky girl to have married into such an amazing family.
Special thanks to my brother, Steve Roach, his wife, Lori, my godson, Liam, my brother-in-law, Brent Georgi, my nephew, Alex, and my sister, Joyce, who knows me better than anyone, and still loves me. Thanks, my sista.
To my parents, Henry and Maxine Roach, who have always supported me, even when they probably thought I was a little crazy. They’ve given me the most important thing parents can give a child—the knowledge that she is loved. I can’t thank them enough.
To the three great loves of my life, my heroes, Tom, Dan and Jack, who have brought me so much joy.
And to Suzy. Oh, Suzy. Someday we will meet, and I’ll take your hand and never let go. Thank you, my friend. For everything.
Suzanne Hayes
I’d like to send my sincerest thanks to my husband, William, and my three daughters, Rosy, Tess and Grace, for being so patient and for cheering me on.
And to the readers of the many incarnations of this project: Jan Nichols, Michelle Esposito, my mother-in-law, Margaret Palmieri, and my great-aunt, Rita Palmieri.
To my agent, Anne Bohner, who changed my life.
To our amazing editor, Erika Imranyi—what can I say? Your vision for this novel was mightier than mine, and it carried me through. A great editor is an artist, and you, my friend, are indeed great. Thanks, also, to the ever fearless Leonore Waldrip, and the entire Harlequin team, whose tireless efforts brought this book into fruition.
To my mother, Theresa Cooper, and to my grandmother, Fay Barile. Two independent women, so stubborn and so beautiful, this is really for you.
To both my fathers, Robert Mele and James Sterling Cooper. Sometimes there are no words....
And, of course, to my writing partner, Loretta Nyhan. Oh, friend. Though I have yet to meet you (upon the writing of this note), you are the keeper of my heart, and the friend I dreamed about when I was a little girl. Without you, this novel wouldn’t exist—but more important, I wouldn’t know you, which would be the greatest tragedy of all. Thank you.