He could see the entire dock now. When Courtney came in, he’d make Doc Emerald give up his seat for her—there’d be no complainers at this table.
“James, what do you think about that hurricane coming up the coast?” The Irreverend asked, to fill the silence. “Gonna hit us?”
Between the breakwater’s jagged top edge and Bird Island, the Homer’s two white bumps appeared at last. “Ah! Thar she blows!” James heard Mayor Frank say, inside his head. She was right on time, desprite his worry.
James tore his eyes away from the welcome sight to lock eyes with the shaggy-haired preacher. “You know,” he said slowly, “those weathermen seem to get it right about as often as I win the lottery. . .”
Acknowledgments
THE IDEA FOR this book first came to me ten years ago; thank goodness I didn’t know how many drafts it would take to see it through to its best self. Over that decade, I’ve had help from a wide range of people. Late to the party but absolutely key to the process is my agent, April Eberhardt, whose enthusiasm and energy for “quiet” books was a fresh inspiration. Editor Kate Racculia identified the “beam” of the story; she also suggested little tweaks to several scenes that led to big revelations. Brooke Warner and Lauren Wise at She Writes Press guided me through a new approach to publishing, and Sharon Bially and Emily Adams from BookSavvy helped me spread the word.
Early readers gave feedback on drafts that I now wish I hadn’t shown to anyone else—but their comments helped me see what was most important or didn’t make sense. Thanks especially to Kim Couranz (who read two separate versions), Roberta Gately, Laurie Cronin, J.B. Chicoine, and “the other” Carol Cronin (who also generously offered one of her incredible paintings as cover art). Nick and Kathy Newman and Doug Logan read what I thought was the “final” version; I can only hope you enjoyed all those unnecessary goose chases and distracting extra characters. Alice C. Early also read the manuscript twice, and each time her valuable comments helped me see what was really necessary to the story.
The Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island was a great place to learn about the indigenous peoples of this area, both past and present. Like the rest of the book, any mistakes are all mine.
The most important thank you of all goes to my husband Paul. He read three different drafts over five years, and both his knowledge of diesels and all those idle telling remarks about specific characters were crucial to carving out the story. He also sailed me out to the exact spot in Rhode Island Sound where Brenton Island belongs, which led to an important realization about how many bridges you could actually see from the Inn’s widow’s walk. He’s both my biggest fan and my best critic, and this story would not be nearly as good without his support and feedback.
Brenton Islanders are already plotting their next appearance, so stay tuned (and sign up for updates on my blog). The place is so real to me now, I keep expecting to spot the ferry on its daily runs to Newport.
—Carol Newman Cronin
About the Author
CAROL NEWMAN CRONIN is an award-winning writer and editor, a world champion sailor, and an Olympian. In 2004, she crowned a lifetime of competitive achievement by winning two races for the USA at the Olympics in Athens—the homework needed to finish her third novel. She was a member of the elite US Sailing Team from 2001–2007 and more recently won the 2018 Snipe Women’s Worlds.
Carol works out of her home office in Jamestown, Rhode Island, where she and her husband spend as much time on the water as possible. In 2015 and 2018, Boating Writers International recognized her editorial skills with awards at their annual writing contest. All of her novels share three common elements: a coastal setting, boats, and a happy ending. She also posts weekly on a blog called Where Books Meet Boats; you can subscribe at carolnewmancronin.com.
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SELECTED TITLES FROM SHE WRITES PRESS
She Writes Press is an independent publishing company founded to serve women writers everywhere. Visit us at www.shewritespress.com.
The Moon Always Rising by Alice C. Early $16.95, 978-1-63152-683-1
When Eleanor “Els” Gordon’s life cracks apart, she exiles herself to a derelict plantation house on the Caribbean island of Nevis—and discovers, with the help of her resident ghost, that only through love and forgiveness can she untangle years-old family secrets and set herself free to love again.
Eden by Jeanne Blasberg $16.95, 978-1-63152-188-1
As her children and grandchildren assemble for Fourth of July weekend at Eden, the Meister family’s grand summer cottage on the Rhode Island shore, Becca decides it’s time to introduce the daughter she gave up for adoption fifty years ago.
A Drop In The Ocean: A Novel by Jenni Ogden $16.95, 978-1-63152-026-6
When middle-aged Anna Fergusson’s research lab is abruptly closed, she flees Boston to an island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef—where, amongst the seabirds, nesting turtles, and eccentric islanders, she finds a family and learns some bittersweet lessons about love.
Arboria Park by Kate Tyler Wall $16.95, 978-1631521676
Stacy Halloran’s life has always been centered on her beloved neighborhood, a 1950s-era housing development called Arboria Park—so when a massive highway project threatens the Park in the 2000s, she steps up to the task of trying to save it.
True Stories at the Smoky View by Jill McCroskey Coupe $16.95, 978-1-63152-051-8
The lives of a librarian and a ten-year-old boy are changed forever when they become stranded by a blizzard in a Tennessee motel and join forces in a very personal search for justice.
Anchor Out by Barbara Sapienza $16.95, 978-1631521652
Quirky Frances Pia was a feminist Catholic nun, artist, and beloved sister and mother until she fell from grace—but now, done nursing her aching mood swings offshore in a thirty-foot sailboat, she is ready to paint her way toward forgiveness.
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