A-Splendid-Ruin(104)

“What you’re suggesting is scandalous, Mr. LaRosa,” I teased in my most snobbish voice, and then I laughed. I couldn’t help it; I couldn’t contain my happiness. “Where shall we go first? The horse races? I’ve never been. Or perhaps we could spend a few months together at Del Monte—I hear it’s beautiful. We could start with Sundays at Coppa’s, don’t you think?”

He grinned. “I have a feeling San Francisco has no idea what having a Van Berckyl in its midst really means.”

“A Kimble,” I corrected. “It’s about time a truly modern woman stirred things up a bit, don’t you think? Life is short. No need for it to be boring too.”

Beyond, the orchestra played and the crowd talked, and their laughter carried on the wisping cigarette smoke twining about the beads falling like rain, and gathered in the flickering light of the lamps that seemed to set the gold bunting afire. Fire and smoke and rain. Where we stood, the fog thickened, enveloping us in its embrace.

“Shall we go back inside?” Dante asked.

“I suppose we must,” I said.

I took his arm, and stepped into the ballroom, and like the city herself, was remade.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


Many, many thanks are due to my agent, Danielle Egan-Miller, as well as Ellie Roth and Mariana Fisher and the rest of the team at Browne & Miller, for helping me work my way through this project, from inception onward. I could not have done this one without you, Danielle. Also eternal thanks to the editors who guided my steps: Jodi Warshaw, whose faith inspires confidence and who intrinsically understands the bones of a story, and Heather Lazare, whose suggestions I never doubt will make the book better, and who I trust completely to help me work things through and make the right decisions, which is a gift. To everyone at Lake Union Publishing—you are, as always, wonderful to work with, and I value your efforts more than you can possibly know. So many things go into making a book shine, from copyediting to cover design to artist to interior design to marketing and promotion and sales—thank you to all of you for your work on A Splendid Ruin.

Again, to my partner in friendship and writing lo these many years, Kristin Hannah, who keeps me from jumping off bridges and driving into traffic (metaphorically), I cannot express the depths of my love and gratitude; you know how I feel. To Suzanne Selfors, thank you for walks and tea and toast and hanging out and honesty and compassion. To Jena MacPherson, Melinda McRae, Liz Osborne, and Sharon Thomas, for being my sounding board for far too long, thank you, thank you.

I’ve been privileged to walk this path with many other talented authors who have become dear friends and who have generously provided advice, commiseration, celebration, and support through many brunches, lunches, teas, cocktails, dinners, and retreats over the years. There are too many to list, but you know who you are. I could not have asked for better companions on this journey. Thank you.

To my huge and beautiful family—my anchor in every storm—I love you.

Finally, to my husband, Kany, and my wise, beautiful, and courageous daughters, Maggie and Cleo: the center holds because of you.