The Cousins(93)

“Perfect,” Milly says, straightening her shoulders. “You’ll have accepted Brown’s offer by then, and as you can see”—she sweeps a hand across her chest—“I’m preparing my celebratory wardrobe.”

Someone taps my shoulder, and I turn before I can see Aubrey’s reaction. “Postcard for you,” Enzo says, handing it to me.

“Really?” I ask, bemused. I never get mail. “Thanks.” The front of the postcard shows the New York City skyline, and I immediately think of Milly. I tug on a lock of her hair and ask, “Did you send me a postcard?”

She swats me away, eyes on her phone. “Hold on a sec. I’m in recruiting mode.”

I flip the postcard, scanning my name and Empire’s address. It’s not Milly’s neat, loopy handwriting. The words are all cramped together, reminding me of the note we got from Mildred when we first arrived on Gull Cove Island, telling us she’d been called away to Boston. Although I guess it was actually Theresa who wrote that. Or Paula.

Holy hell. Paula. Dark horse Paula. The woman nobody would miss.

All of the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I glance at Milly. She’s still deep in conversation with Aubrey, so I shift my eyes down and read the note.



Jonah,





I hear that you, Milly, and Aubrey are doing well, and I am glad. Truly.


I bear you no ill will, and while I suppose it is fanciful to imagine that you and your “cousins” might reciprocate that sentiment, I hope it is the case.


From one imposter to another, I’d like to give you some words of advice: keep your parents far away from Anders Story’s new venture. I have a strong suspicion that it will one day, as they say, go up in flames.





Family first, always.





P.





Publishing is an industry full of change, but I’ve been fortunate to work with an incredible team for four books straight. I’m so grateful for the ongoing support, and to everyone who made The Cousins such a joy to create.

Endless thanks to Rosemary Stimola and Allison Remcheck for your careful guidance of my career, and for always pushing me in the best ways possible. Thank you also to Pete Ryan, Erica Rand Silverman, and Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio.

Thank you, Krista Marino, editor extraordinaire, for your uncanny ability to see directly into the heart of every book I write. After four books with you, I’m a much better writer, but one who still relies on your sharp eye, keen insight, and unflagging support to inspire me to dig deeper. I’m so proud of what we create together.

The entire team at Random House Children’s Books and Delacorte Press is truly amazing, from the strong leadership to the thoughtful planning of marketing, publicity, design, production, sales, and more. Thank you to Barbara Marcus, Beverly Horowitz, and Judith Haut for giving my books the best home I could ask for, and to the team that brings them to life: Monica Jean, Kathy Dunn, Dominique Cimina, Kate Keating, Elizabeth Ward, Jules Kelly, Kelly McGauley, Jenn Inzetta, Adrienne Weintraub, Felicia Frazier, Becky Green, Enid Chaban, Kimberly Langus, Kerry Milliron, Colleen Fellingham, Heather Hughes, Alison Impey, Kenneth Crossland, Martha Rago, Tracy Heydweiller, Linda Palladino, and Denise DeGennaro. Thanks also to Kelly Gildea of Penguin Random House Audio & Listening Library for brilliant production of my audio books.



I’m fortunate to work with many outstanding international publishers. Penguin UK has allowed me to meet and work with so many talented people, including Holly Harris, Francesca Dow, Ruth Knowles, Amanda Punter, Harriet Venn, Simon Armstrong, Gemma Rostill, Ben Hughes, and Kat Baker. This year I was able to visit more of my international publishers than ever before and I’m thankful for the hospitality of Christian Bach and Kaya Hoff of Carlsen Puls in Denmark; Nicola Bartels, Susanne Krebs, Birte Hecker, Julia Decker, and Verena Otto of Random House Germany; and Susanne Diependaal, Jessie Kuup, and Arienne Huisman of Van Goor in the Netherlands.

I’m indebted to Jason Dravis, my tireless film agent, and to the agents who help my books find homes around the world: Clementine Gaisman and Alice Natali of Intercontinental Literary Agency, Bastian Schlueck and Friederike Belder at Thomas Schlueck Agency, and Charlotte Bodman at Rights People.

Thanks to Erin Hahn and Meredith Ireland for your thoughtful feedback and your friendship, and to the wonderful YA community for all the energy and passion you bring to kidlit. I’m grateful for all of you, from the amazing authors I’ve had the good fortune to meet both online and in person, to the bloggers, educators, librarians, festival volunteers, and booksellers. And especially the readers, who make it all possible.



The setting in The Cousins was inspired by the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, both of which I’ve visited many times as a child and an adult. I’m grateful for the hospitality I’ve always experienced there, and hope the residents don’t mind that I created a fictional sibling for your beautiful homes.

Finally, thank you to my family, both Medailleu and McManus, for all your support. Lots of love to my son, Jack, and, in keeping with the theme of this book, to all of his cousins: James, Cassie, Mary, Nick, Michael, Max, Bri, Kelsey, Ian, Drew, Zachary, Aiden, Shalyn, Gabriela, Carolina, and Erik.