Cover

Title Page

Dedication

To the group of ladies whose Zoom visits uplifted every moment of a wacky year with their spirit and prayers: Kathryn Haydn, Lori Helms, Anita Hertford, Catherine Liberto, Mary Clare Sabol, Karen Tompkins, and Regina Yitbarek

And to my aunt Melissa Wittman, who, from book one, has told everyone she’s ever met that her niece is an author. That kind of love and support is a treasure, as is she.

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Acknowledgments

I wrote this book from the small house we’d bought as not-too-far-off empty nesters, only to have coffee shops and libraries close down with the rest of the world. My adult children came home for the duration, and solitude became an endangered species.

So first, I am thankful to my family for allowing me the space and grace to sometimes be an impersonable writer as I cranked out word counts and met deadlines. I know you’re rejoicing as much as I am that my usual hangouts have reopened.

Thank you to my agent, Jill Marsal, who first visited with me about this story and for being an unparalleled guide in my writing.

I so appreciate my editor, Madeleine Colavita, whose collaboration and visits were essential in the creation of this story. Someday we will meet in person and swap embroidery-nerd stories. For now, photos.

To the ladies of Megunticook Market, especially Rachel Green and Jaci Russ, who sustained me through several writing pushes with their creations. And to the ladies of Buttery Baking House in Virginia, who pivoted and persevered in trying times and kept me well-stocked in pastries. My waistline does not thank you, but I do.

Thank you to Valerie Arthur, Susan Schlimme, Elise Metzger, and Joyce Hoggard, whose sidewalk happy hours and other socially distanced get-togethers were such sustaining highlights to me.

To Ashley Peebles. An instant forever friend. Thank you for your garage and most especially for your dependably positive outlook. Someday I’m going to write a Southern book and dedicate it to you.

Thank you to my aunt Cheryl Remmert, who gave me a place of respite for a generous amount of time this year. It was bliss.

Thank you to Rochelle Weinstein, who embodies every dear quality that a beloved friend should have. Becoming a writer was worth it just to have you brought into my life. Together with Lisa Barr, we are Dots, Duds, and Goober.

I cannot possibly thank all of the amazing Bookstagrammers and book world friends who show their love and support all the time. But to name a very few—the women of My Book Friends (join us on Facebook!)—Andrea Katz, Suzy Leopold, Marisa Gothie, Terry Pearson, Jen Sherman, Travel With a Book, Bookapotamus, Ann Marie Nieves, Wonder Woman Bookish, Zibby Owens, Dell Gray, Joy Jordan Lake, Eileen Moskowitz Palma, and Ken and Judy Rodriguez.