The Good Goodbye (41 page)
Authors: Carla Buckley
We had sat on that narrow window ledge, the ground far beneath us. Heat from the flames behind us burned our backs and shoulders. She had grabbed my hand and looked me right in the eyes, orange light playing across her beautiful face smudged with ash and tears.
I love you, Arden,
she’d said. I said it right back.
I love you, Rory.
I’m glad those were the last words she ever heard.
Really. It was a good goodbye.
For my brother, Harley, with all my love
Acknowledgments
I am deeply grateful to my brilliant editor and friend, Kate Miciak, and to everyone at Penguin Random House—dream makers and magicians all—who breathed life into this story: Marietta Anastassatos, Gina Centrello, Kelly Chian, Susan Corcoran, Toby Louisa Ernst, Jennifer Hershey, Kim Hovey, Libby McGuire, Julia Maguire, Cindy Murray, and Allyson Pearl. I am so very lucky to be working with each and every one of you.
Thanks to my amazing literary agent, Dorian Karchmar, and to the rest of my extraordinary team at William Morris Endeavor: Alicia Gordon, Tracy Fisher, and Cathryn Summerhayes.
Thanks, also, to:
Alan Siqueiros, MD, Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow at UNC-Chapel Hill, who gave generously of his time and energy to help me build the complex medical world my characters entered. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
Kim Floresca, co-executive chef of the beautiful, fabulous [One] Restaurant in Chapel Hill, who gave me a glimpse beyond the glitter into the real working life of a chef.
Marghi Fauss, aunt of my heart, who taught me how to make bread from air, and Bryan Nelson, who helped me brainstorm scary business crises.
My gifted sister, Liese Schwarz, for profound insight when I needed it most. I’m so glad you put yourself within driving distance, always answer the phone no matter what, and remember what Barbie doll hair smells like.
My “sister” in Canada, Chevy Stevens, who lives too far away but is always there when I need you, despite distance and time difference. Someday, we
are
going to live on the same side of the world, even if I have to kidnap you.
My dear friend Jenny Milchman for so generously sharing your book tour, your wonderful family, and your wisdom with me.
My husband and soulmate, Tim, for being the center that holds, and to Jillian, Jonathon, and Jocelyn, who light up all the dark corners.
BY CARLA BUCKLEY
The Things That Keep Us Here
Invisible
The Deepest Secret
The Good Goodbye
About the Author
C
ARLA
B
UCKLEY
was born in Washington, D.C. She has worked as an assistant press secretary for a U.S. senator, an analyst with the Smithsonian Institution, and a technical writer for a defense contractor. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, an environmental scientist, and their three children. She is the internationally bestselling author of
The Good Goodbye, The Deepest Secret, Invisible,
and
The Things That Keep Us Here,
which was nominated for the Ohioana Book Award for fiction and a Thriller Award as best first novel. She is currently at work on her next novel.
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