“I’m wearing a tie, Mom,” he said, smiling. “If I wasn’t okay, I’d be wearing like…sweats or something.”
Clay laughed. “Kyle practically planned all of this.”
“You did?” she asked.
“I want you to be happy, Mom.”
She kissed her son’s head. “I am happy, sweetheart. You’ve both made me so happy.” And for the first time in what felt like so long, it was utterly and completely true.
Acknowledgments
This book was full of love and loss, heartache and bliss. It was such a special book for me to write because it felt real and honest. I hope that if you, like Peighton, Todd, Frank, Clay, or Kyle, are struggling with something—be it the death of someone close to you, admitting who you are, keeping a secret that’s eating away at you, or something else entirely—I can only hope this book brought you peace. I hope Peighton’s story brought you hope. A better day is coming.
Peighton has been my favorite character (so far) to write because she was so genuine in her love and affection for everyone close to her. I’m surrounded by so many ‘Peighton’s’ every day & they all deserve so much more than a paragraph in a book:
To husband and daughter: thank you for letting me do what I love. Thank you for supporting me no matter how crazy my ideas, for loving me through my late-night writing binges, and for forgiving me when I snap at you for interrupting a great paragraph. I love you both more than you will ever know.
To the rest of my family, my “book club”: thank you for loving me, reading my books, and supporting me in all that I do. Ya’ll are the best and I’m thankful you’re stuck with me.
To my Twisted Readers Street Team: thank you for making every day fun! Your support in everything I do makes it all worth it. I love being able to laugh with you guys and bounce ideas around our safe space. None of this would be possible without you. I hope you loved this book as much as I do.
To Alexis Smith, Isabel Smith, and Sarah Williams—fans and friends who won a chance to make an appearance in this book. Alexis, you helped keep Peighton grounded. You were her closest female friend. Izzy, you were family to everyone—the true mother of the story. Your character was sassy and fun to write. I enjoyed bringing her to life. Sarah, your character is the reason Clay and Peighton met. Her story, though most of it isn’t told, was very important to this story. I hope you each loved your characters as much as I loved to write them.
To McCall Buckingham: thank you for helping to make Clay and the other officers credible.
To Joy Westerfield: for helping me name Pawley’s Corner as well as SecureHome Security and for always being there when I need my next idea.
To Kaitie Woolard: thanks for helping me perfect the blurb and always providing me with a lengthy book report.
To my beta readers and review team: Ya’ll make every bit of this worth it. I don’t know what I’d do without your encouragement. Your kind words make my day and I’m so glad I have you in my corner.
To my ridiculously talented cover designer and formatter: KA Ware with Bite Me Graphic Design. You put the bow on top of my story—and what a spectacular bow it is! Thank you for helping to make my book look the best that it can.
To my amazing editor, Toni Rakestraw: thank you for whipping my book into shape! Without you, I’d be embarrassed to see what this story would’ve looked like. Your encouragement, thoroughness, and insights were invaluable.
To the FBI, for never coming after me no matter how many times I google “How long will a dead body last before it starts to stink”.
To the amazing ladies who spread the word about my work shamelessly: Holly, Gemma, Tara, Alexis, Brittany, Misty, Isabel, Danielle, Annamarie, Christina, Gwen, Laurie, Patti, Sandra, Anji, Shelly, Tracy Ann, Janise, Crystal, Sarah (x2) and so many others!
To Brittany, my insanely talented PA, what in the world would I do without you? Your support and expertise has meant the world to me during this release! I’m so glad I was able to add you as part of my team this year. Thank you for being my partner-in-crime through this amazing journey!
To anyone and everyone who bought this book and read my story—thank you. From the bottom of my slightly cold, full of dangerous plot twists heart: thank you. Your support means so much to me. If you’ve read my previous works, thank you for continuing to support me. I hope this book was everything you could’ve hoped for and nothing you expected. And if I’m new to you, I hope this one has you hopping aboard the Kiersten-train. (Seriously—come to the dark side, we have wine!)
If I have forgotten anyone (and I’m sure I have), please know it wasn’t intentional. I love each and every person who has helped me along this crazy journey. I have the best people in my corner and I’m so grateful for all of you!