Steal the North: A Novel (38 page)

Heartfelt thanks to Erica McLane, for her wisdom, humor, and guidance during the long hours spent reading and revising by the woodstove at her parents’ farm on the Sacramento River. Deep gratitude to my wonderful agent, Lisa Grubka, for her early belief and tireless work. Huge thanks to Julie Miesionczek, my terrific editor, for her passion and stamina, and for her ability to add grace and cut bullshit. Thanks also to Amber Qureshi, for her enthusiasm for the book, and to the entire Viking team for taking a chance on me. To my beginning creative writing teacher, Catherine Fraga. And special thanks to my mentor of many years, and now my dear friend, Carole Simmons Oles. I’m sorry I gave up poetry, Carole. Thanks to Sharon May, for a decade of exchanging work and friendship. Much gratitude to the editors who have published my short stories, in particular Tom Jenks and Carol Edgarian at
Narrative Magazine
.

Thanks to my husband, Carl, for all the years stretching back to the day an eighteen-year-old waitress from Washington met a twenty-one-year-old airman from West Virginia. To my daughter, Austin, for coming so early into my life and for teaching me as much as I hope I’ve taught you. To my son, Luke: I always wanted a brother, but instead I got you. Sorry about the Irish freckles, kid. Thank you to my dad, for everything, but mostly for
not
being like the father in this novel. Mom, I still miss you after all these years. To my older sister, Angie, whose generous spirit keeps me in awe. To Jenny, my younger sister, with whom I have laughed more than with any other person. To my brother-in-law, Tony, for the fish stories. To Paula, my baby sister, for sharing my love of British heroines. To Margo, my sister-in-law from The Netherlands, but really my sister. To my beloved aunts, Mary and Jerri.

To Narcissa Whitman, for riding sidesaddle across the Rocky Mountains and establishing the first pioneer home in the Pacific Northwest. To Chief Moses, on whose ancestral land I was born and raised. I’m indebted to the following nonfiction writers whose work taught me about home: Robert H. Ruby, John A. Brown, Blaine Harden, and Andrew P. Duffin. To the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: may you find in Reuben a tribute to your enduring spirit and continued commitment as caretakers of the land.

Finally, thank you to the California fireman who years ago went back in for a barefoot, frantic writer’s computer.