“A bridge to cross at some other time,” she whispered under her breath as she dismissed the could-be’s and maybe’s from her mind. The ups and downs of the recent past quickly dissipated into the cool Italian air, replaced by the excitement of the pure potentiality of her future. She certainly hoped that John and Sharon would find their way back to each other and view their years ahead with the same kind of magical anticipation. And maybe, once tempers cooled and grudges melted, she and Candace could eventually get their friendship back on track.
Melanie walked back into the room and woke Will with a sweet sprinkle of kisses. “Wake up, sleepyhead. Venice awaits.”
“It’s waited this long. It can wait a while longer,” Will declared as he hungrily pulled his wife back between the sheets.
If you’d like to learn more about the Box Project or are interested in becoming a mentor contact the following organizations:
The Box Project Inc.
P.O. Box 435
87 East Street
Plainville, CT 06062
1-800-268-9928
www.boxproject.org
America’s Promise—The Alliance for Youth
909 N. Washington Street
Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-4500
www.americaspromise.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
To find a local chapter near you visit their website at www.bbbsa.org.
Acknowledgments
God has allowed me the privilege of sharing my life with some amazing human beings. I love them and also love who I am when I’m with them. For this, my gratitude is boundless.
Craig, Austin, and Eva, thank you for loving me unconditionally through this life. Know that everything is possible for me because of the laughter and zest you bring to my daily existence.
To my brothers and sister, thanks for your support and for giving me such an exceptional brood of nieces and nephews: Christina, Brooke, Ashley, Michael, Benjamin, Gillian, Veronica, Kylle, Deja, and Alex. From each of you I know to expect good things. Paco, my pride overflows. I applaud all of your vigor and courage as you and your father dutifully serve our country in Iraq. And my terrific godchildren—Roya, Aubree, Tatiana, and Ryan—it is a pleasure watching you blossom.
Thank you Judi, Joyce, and Jonathan for all of your encouragement through the years.
I am also fortunate to have a second family of friends who touch my heart time and time again: Marie Dutton Brown, Patrik Henry Bass, Francesca Neilson, Beverly Hemmings, Cynthia Bagby, Dianna Clarkson, Benita Perkins, Cliff and Gina Strain, the always fabulous Mothers Off Duty and M.O.D. mentees, thank you for your unfailing support. Ameenah Poole, please know that though I have worn the title “mentor” these past ten years, you are the true teacher. I am so proud of you!
Thank you, Alisa Scott, for your medical guidance and Gilles Depardon for your friendship and architectural insight. Curb Gardner, you made my house beautiful and also gave my main character a career. Whitney LaRoche, thanks for your “vision” and love. Ted Bell, your talent touches my soul. Thanks for gracing my pages with your delicious poetry. Claire Wilson, thank you for always keeping the light on in the window. Patti Brown-Christenson, Cheryl Washington, Cheryl Crawford, Nina Cooper, and Gale Monk—the ladies lunch panel of experts—I appreciate your truthful insights. And many thanks to my legal eagles, Susan M. Bryant, Esq., and Francine Thornton Boone, Esq.
A huge thank you to Carrie Feron at Avon Books for picking up this ball and running with it and to Selina McLemore for her always cheerful assistance.
I am so grateful to the many book clubs that read my work and spread the word, as well as the independent booksellers who continue to support me, particularly Robin Green-Cary of Sibayne, Maleta McPherson of Heritage Books and More, Ruth Bridges of Atlantic Bookpost, and Blanche Richardson of Marcus Books.
And finally to you, the reader, may you enjoy this journey with peace in your heart and sunshine on your face.
About the Author
Lori BryantWOOLRIDGE is a fifteen-year veteran of the television broadcast business and the recipient of an Emmy Award for individual achievement in writing. She is the author of the bestselling novel Read Between the Lies and a contributing author to several top anthologies, including the award-winning Gumbo: A Celebration of African-American Writing. She lives in South Orange, New Jersey, with her husband and two children. Visit her website at www.loribryantwoolridge.com.
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Copyright
HITTS & MRS. Copyright © 2004 by Lori BryantWoolridge. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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