To those who have offered help and encouragement along the way: Kyle Lindskog, from the time we were children, the best friend a girl could have; Jeannie Berwick, for years of laughter, adventure, and good counsel; Juan Alonso, for his artistry and soulfulness; Monica Prevost, for sharing the stories, old and new; Maura Hayes, for her free spirit; Marcellina Tylee, for her creative flair and friendship; the Doran and Barbieri clans, including my dear sisters, Tessa Effland and Robbi Anderson; parents, Bob and Michelle Doran, Kay Barbieri, Jan McAvoy, and Letty Pericin; the members of the Red Shoes Gardening Society, Jeannie, Tina Albro, and Korina Layne-Jones; Bob and Paula Rohr, Carol Carlson, Grace Van Zandt, the Fridays at Vic’s crew—Kit Bakke, Mary Guterson, Randy Sue Coburn, Garth Stein, and especially Stephanie Kallos, for her kindness and support, and Jennie Shortridge, who was so generous with her time, reading early drafts and offering sage advice and reassurance when I needed it most. Special thanks to Sara Nickerson, for being such an excellent reader and friend; J. J. Cariaso-Hughes, for making me look good; my miracle worker of an agent, Emma Sweeney, for her unwavering belief in and passion for this book; her associates, Justine Wenger and Eva Talmadge, for connecting the dots; and Jennifer Barth, for helping me find the heart of the story and being the best editor a writer could ask for.

And with love to Mark, Sian, Connor, and Sera, most of all. Every day begins with you.