I had never been in love before Abby, and no one had even piqued my interest since. My life was the woman standing before me, and the family we’d made together.
Abby opened the box, and looked up at me, tears in her eyes. “You always know just what to get. It’s perfect,” she said, her graceful fingers touching the three birthstones of our children. She slipped it on her right ring finger, holding out her hand to admire her new bauble.
“Not as good as you getting me a promotion. They’re going to know what you did, you know, and it’s going to get complicated.”
“It always seems to with us,” she said, unaffected.
I took a deep breath, and shut the bedroom door behind me. Even though we’d put each other through hell, we’d found heaven. Maybe that was more than a couple of sinners deserved, but I wasn’t going to complain.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I HAVE TO START BY THANKING MY INCREDIBLE HUSBAND, Jeff. Without fail he has offered his support and encouragement, and has kept the children happy and busy so mommy can work. I wouldn’t be able to do this without him, and I truly mean that. He takes care of me so completely, I literally just have to sit in my office and write. My husband possesses seemingly endless patience and understanding that I wish I had just a fraction of. He loves me on my worst days, and refuses to let me believe there is anything I can’t do. Thank you for loving me so perfectly that I can funnel that into my writing to let others experience a little bit of what you’ve given me. I’m so lucky to have you.
My two sweet girls, who let mommy work for hours into the night without complaining so that I could meet my first real deadline on time, and to the most handsome man in the world, my son, for waiting until I typed “The End” to make his appearance into the world.
Beth Petrie, my most treasured friend, who is the closest thing to a sister I could have. Three years ago she said I could finish a novel during X-ray school with two kids and a job. She said I would accomplish everything I wanted to, and she’s still saying it. I’ve said this a million times, but I’ll say it again: if it weren’t for Beth, I wouldn’t have written a single word of Beautiful Disaster, or Providence, or any of my other novels. It did not occur to me to write a novel until she said, “Do it. Go sit down at your computer right now and start typing.” She is the sole reason I have traveled down this magical path that has freed me in so many ways. She has saved me in even more ways than that. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Rebecca Watson, my film and literary agent, for her hard work and dedication, for taking me on when I was still an up-and-coming author, and to E L James for introducing us.
Abbi Glines, my sweet friend and fellow writer, who took a look at Walking Disaster in its infancy and assured me that yes, I was doing the male POV right.
Colleen Hoover, Tammara Webber, and Elizabeth Reinhardt, for making my editor’s job a bit easier. You teach me something almost every day, whether it’s writing, my career, or life lessons.
The women of FP, my writers group, and on some days my rock and salvation. I cannot say enough how much your friendship means to me. You have been with me through every up-and-down, disappointment, and celebration this year. Your advice is invaluable, and your encouragement has gotten me through so many rough days.
Nicole Williams, my friend and fellow writer. Thank you for being so gracious and kind. The way you handle every aspect of your career is an inspiration to me, and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for you.
Tina Bridges, RN and former hospice angel. When I needed answers to some very tough questions, she didn’t hesitate to let me dig as deep and dark as I needed to get to the unpleasant truth about death and dying. You are an amazing person for helping so many children get through unimaginable loss. I applaud you for your courage and compassion.
Foreign literary agents and staff of the Intercontinental Literary Agency. Everything you’ve accomplished has been so far beyond the spectrum of what I could have done for myself. Thank you so much for bringing my book to more than twenty countries in as many languages!
Maryse Black, book blogger, genius, supermodel, and friend. You have brought Travis to so many wonderful people who love him almost as much as you do. No wonder he loves you so much. I’ve watched your blog grow from something fun to a force of nature, and I’m so glad we began our journeys around the same time. It’s amazing to see where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’ll go!
I’d also like to thank my editor Amy Tannenbaum for not only loving and believing in this unconventional love story as much as I do, but for being such a joy to work with, and making the entire transition to traditional publishing so positive.