Monica Wood, for the supportive talks and email exchanges. And for writing about Mainers so beautifully.

Cathie Pelletier, for writing such beautiful books about northern Maine. And for your energy and kindness.

Susan Lovell and Michael Borrelli, for being there from the beginning and for reminding me that Almost, Maine is a special place.

Kathy McCafferty and Dave Mason, for bringing Almost, Maine to life so beautifully so many times. And for believing in me and places like Almost, Maine.

Jack Thomas, for the unending support.

Jenn Guare, for always asking how it was going and for talking about books.

Anne Blanchard, for introducing me to Antoine de Saint Exupery.

Liz Fitzpatrick, for all the love.

Mary Bonney, for putting up with our fractured conversations. And for all the good thinking you do.

Louise and Greg Hamlin, for giving me a place to stay when I headed north. (I wrote the prologue at your old house!)

Kim Kiehn, for all the inspiring photos and quotes and texts and pep talks.

Elyse Kiehn, for taking me seriously and for being so thoughtful and fun and kind.

Mindy Wolfe, for picking up when I’d call. And for making me feel better when I was low.

Beth Synnott, for helping me keep my chin up always. And for reminding me that it’s almost always all good.

Noelle Umback, for the company and for reminding me to think of the final stretch as an extended finals period.

Kate Reinders, for helping me remember to keep perspective and that there’s so much to feel good about.

Emily Skinner, for the meals and the pep talks.

Launa Schweizer, for an extremely valuable pep talk.

Aislinn Frantz, for reading a chapter and making an important cut and for checking in.

Joe Hall for guiding me in my research.

Caroline Kinsolving, for saving me when I was drowning in this thing.

Haleh Roshan Stillwell, for the talks.

Annie Brabazon, for checking in on me from time to time.

Betsy Hogg and Kathy Hogg, for letting me know you were there if I needed you.

David Bakis, my new Maine friend, for being so interested in this thing. Rest in peace, my friend.

Tor Hyams and Lisa St. Lou, for helping me make an important cut and for telling me it was all going to be okay.

Alyssa Manning, for sending along all the germane articles. And for checking in often.

Vera Mihailovich, for being there always. And for caring so deeply. And for your great mind and great heart.

Isaac, Henry, and Ruth Cariani, for all the love. You made me want to make this book as good as I could. Because I want you to like it.

Jeff Cariani, for checking in and encouraging me and telling me to stop whining. And for your model work ethic. And for keeping me in a good headspace.

Paul and Sheila Cariani, for moving to northern Maine when I was a kid. And for being honest and true always. And for all the love and support. And for telling me to just get this thing done.