Sweet Misfortune: A Novel (26 page)

Small tears started to form at the corner of Sophie’s eyes. “And when were you planning on giving it to me?”

Garrett winked. “Well, according to you on our first date, a truly romantic man will do whatever it takes to win a lady’s heart. So I was getting all geared up to crash your wedding. It was all planned out in my head. I was going to march right up to the front like they do in the movies and read my list. Then, assuming Alex hadn’t already taken a punch at me, I was going to profess my undying love.”

She stretched to kiss him again. “And then we’d ride off into the sunset?”

“Yeah,” he said softly, before kissing her back. “Something like that.”

“I’m glad to know you’re still a hopeless romantic,” she joked.

“Hopeful romantic,” he corrected. “There is a difference.”

W
ITH GARRETT BY
her side, Sophie read his list of happiness, and smiled.

Garrett read Jacob’s letter, and cried.

Then they embraced and ate the last few pieces of the new Misfortune Cookies, grateful to share every bittersweet bite.

Acknowledgments

I
’M GOING TO LEVEL WITH YOU: WRITING ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
stresses me out. Even as I type this, my blood pressure is spiking. I’m pretty sure this anxiety is directly related to my certainty that whatever I say will be woefully inadequate—the words
thank
you
simply don’t capture the full measure of what I feel for those who have helped with this and previous books.

Since there’s no way I could possibly say everything I want to every person who deserves a nod for their contributions, I’ve chosen instead to try something, er, a little different. Haiku! (No, not a sneeze. It’s poetry.) I’m certainly no poet (as you’ll soon see), but putting my thoughts and feelings into this format was way more fun, and considerably less stressful, than crafting boring old sentences. So without further adieu, I’d like to thank the following individuals and groups for everything they’ve done to help me as a writer…

Haiku! (Gesundheit)

Rebecca my wife—

True sounding board and Muse of

Infinite love, Life.

C. Boys, Editor—

Why so insightful and nice

With words and advice?

Joyce Hart—Joys and Heart.

You, gentle agent of mine,

We’ve signed on the line.

A publishing Zen—

Rolf Zettersten, leader, friend.

Thank you once again.

The great Hachette team,

Sales, edits, art, marketing—

Talents, some unseen.

Sharp eyes reading quick:

Gram, Mom, Kacie, Becca, Jen—

Family with red pens.

For guidance often

Jason Wright delivers well.

Oh, and writes too well.

My children, all five—

Lots of noise in little home,

I’ll miss you when grown.

For everyone else

Who reads my books (and enjoys):

Friends, thanks as always!

Wanted: Happiness

Lasting happiness only,
please. Nothing that
fleets. Please send sug-
gestions to
happiness@
kevinamilne.com

As one might expect, after receiving so many responses to the newspaper ad, Sophie Jones eventually had to change her PO box number. However, those closest to her know that she is still keenly interested in learning what other people view as true, lasting happiness. To that end, Kevin Milne is collecting suggestions on her behalf. If you would like to share what happiness is to you, send an email to
[email protected]
. Kevin will periodically post his favorite responses to his blog (
http://kevinamilne.blogspot.com
).