My fictional characters always draw breath from the real world. I’d like to thank those people in my world who so graciously give of themselves. This story would not have been written without them.
Thank you:
Leila McGrath, for inspiring the essence of Lia; and Lynn and Janet Fyfe of the Orion Pharmacy, Orion, Illinois, for creating Lia’s store and expertise.
Martha Nieto, for giving Isabel an incomparable heritage; and Myrna Strasser of WDLM radio station, for animating Isabel’s career.
Sue Laue, for your passion for journalism I caught years ago and passed on to Tony; and Juanita Arellanos and Pastor John Jairo Cano of Colombia, for rescuing Tony.
Michael Skelton, for the Valley Oaks map, without which I would have become lost; and Tracy Charlesworth, for your excellent critiquing and the hours of brainstorming.
Chip MacGregor, agent, and Kim Moore, editor, for your unfailing enthusiasm and direction.
And, as ever, Elizabeth, Christopher, and Tim, for being there.
