My beautiful daughter Savannah read the manuscript while pursuing a master’s degree, which is above and beyond any call of duty. Thank you, baby!

I am very thankful also to my original advance reader, my mother, Patricia Poucher. Everything I write, I write for my mom. I joke that I’m still trying to make things she’ll hang on the refrigerator―and she actually asked for this book’s author photo page to hang on her refrigerator, which made my heart sing all day.

My cousin, Amanda Winfield, is a completely dedicated nurse to her elderly patients. She shared fascinating (often hilarious) stories and even allowed me to shadow her at work, where I learned a lot and witnessed the beauty of her kindness. Mandy and so many nurses like her are love and compassion personified.

Thank you to my dad, Bob Poucher, for expert answers to questions on a variety of topics I researched for this book, from automobiles to telephones.

Kristin Gause is not only a dear friend, she’s a fabulous banking consultant. She has a namesake character in this book, like the real Kris, but not as cool.

Thank you to many wonderful residents of Anniston, Alabama for helping me bring the 1940s and 1950s to life. I love my hometown and her gracious people.

I am grateful to John Ferrell, owner of Mary Mac’s Tea Room, for his story guidance and for serving the best soul food in Atlanta. It’s a real and delightful place, folks. You should eat there at least once in your life! The same is true of the elegant and much-loved Classic On Noble in Anniston. Both restaurants are fabulous, and if you visit, please tell them I sent you with my highest recommendation.

Finally, thank you Jay, Jason, and Savannah for your endless patience, support, love and understanding. Writers can be slightly irritable, self-absorbed, preoccupied, and diva-ish. Not me, of course.

And thank you, cherished reader. Always.

Other books by Beth Duke:

Delaney’s People: A Novel in Small Stories

Don’t Shoot Your Mule

Beth Duke is the recipient of short story awards on two continents and is eyeing the other five. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and literary digests.

IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU is her third novel.

She lives in the mountains of her native Alabama with her husband, one real dog, one ornamental dog,

and a flock of fluffy pet chickens.

She loves reading, writing, and not arithmetic.

Baking is a hobby, with semi-pro cupcakes and

amateur macarons a specialty.

And puns—the worse, the better.

Travel is her other favorite thing,

along with joining book clubs for discussion.

Author photo by Savannah Duke

Florence, Italy, New Year’s Eve 2017