“It’s time,” Griff said. He was trying to be strong but he didn’t feel that way.

But when he looked up, they were there. Somehow, they all knew. Adam had sent the remaining guests and the band away; Kelly had already made some calls.

Standing before them were Adam and Kelly, Cait and Coop, and Forey. There were no tears. They would come later.

Adam put his arms around Miguel to help him up. Friends, enemies, adversaries and now united by grief.

The women managed to get Vera out.

Outside the tent was a silent, unlit ambulance, with two men and a woman waiting to take Vera away.

Miguel started to get inside with her, one last trip with his wife, but he halted, then turned to his daughter. His face with its bleak eyes was furious. “You aren’t going to sacrifice as your mother and I did. You aren’t going to give up your own life because we all need you so much. I want you to go see the things your mother did and write about them. And while you’re doing that, I want you to figure out who you are and what you want in life. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, I do,” Michaela said.

He looked at Griff. “Take care of her.”

“Yes, sir, I will. With all my heart.”

Miguel got in the ambulance and the doors shut behind him.

It was the end and it was the beginning.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’d like to thank the many people who helped me with this book and told me about the glories of Kansas, and there are many.

Hope and Chance Lickteig. Hope drove me around Princeton and Richmond and told me wonderful stories. Murders, haunted houses, things found in the trash. It was incredible! Thank you.

Bud and Shelly Welch of the Welch Brothers Farm. More stories! My favorite. Shelly showed me family photos, and Bud and I had a good talk about growing marijuana.

Marcia Servatius was my go-to when I needed a quick answer about what was in Ottawa in 1972. Her memory was astonishing. Terry and Nancy White helped me with the history of Ottawa in the seventies and nineties. Thank you.

Thanks to Franklin County Historical Society Archives Center for the historical documents and references that were invaluable.

Most of all, I’d like to thank Laurie Tyner. No question was too frivolous, nothing stumped her. She and her wonderful husband took me out to Kansas barbecue, and I agree that it’s the best in the world. And thanks to dear Annelise for being the prettiest and smartest baby ever!

Thank you all very much! Your generosity and kindness helped me to write a true account of how great Kansas is. And the Chiefs won! Hooray!

Excerpt

Fall in love time and time again with yet another heartfelt, dual timeline novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux

My Heart Will Find You