“No, darling. His name is Pete,” Nora said. “He’s Aubrey’s son.” She looked to her hostess. “Do you have a powder room I could use?”
Levi answered. “This way.” He guided Nora toward the kitchen, glancing back at Aubrey and Pete.
Pete remained pinned to the door, his skin surpassing ghostly white. “Pete?” Aubrey moved toward him. “What’s going on?” He never took his eyes off the girl, who was absorbed in her china-faced doll. Only briefly did she glance at mother and son, her smile quick and curious as a secret.
Like a rigid wire, breaths plucked from her son’s chest.
“Pete.” Aubrey said it louder, a demand that his heart keep beating, that he put into words the terror on his face.
“In the war, the girl . . . Esme. I felt . . . it’s, um . . . it’s hard to explain.”
Aubrey’s cheeks warmed. “We kind of understand how you felt about her.”
“What I couldn’t say was, in that other life, I loved her. What I couldn’t tell you is . . .” Pete’s horrified gaze ticked toward his mother. “I also killed her.”
And as he spoke, as her son confessed to murder, Aubrey felt the world tilt a little harder on its axis.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Truthfully, I think about the acknowledgment page of a book long before I’ve earned one. Foretold is no exception. I had my running list while crashing into the prologue and delivering the draft of this book to my agent, Susan Ginsburg. Her opinion as a reader is as important to me as everything she does as a literary agent. Thank you, Susan, for being fabulous at both. Thanks to Stacy Testa as well; it continues to be my privilege to be a part of Writers House.
This is my third novel with editor Alison Dasho. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she was on board with this story from the moment I said the name Zeke Dublin to her. Thanks, Alison, for your many efforts throughout the book publication process. This is also my third book with developmental editor Charlotte Herscher. If a good editor is worth their weight in gold, Charlotte is the whole treasure chest. She has become the perfect ear to my words, and I am appreciative of the opportunity she affords me: the chance to write a better book. Much gratitude to everyone at Montlake Romance, in particular Anh Schluep and Jessica Poore.
Write about ghosts long enough, and eventually you end up talking to the undertaker. Fortunately, one of the friendliest, most genuine people in my little New England town happens to be one. Funeral director Jim Ginley possesses a wealth of curious knowledge. It might not be everyday conversation, but it sure comes in handy if your story necessitates facts inherent to the dead. I am truly grateful to have had such an accessible resource. Also, thank you to Walt Sosnowski, retired NYPD sergeant, for verifying facts from his expert point of view. Many thanks to Dr. Melisa Holmes, who, when not serving as “the ear most likely to listen to me whine,” assisted with a variety of medical details. Many thanks to my sister, Christine Lemp. She’s good at many things that I am not and was quick to come up with the early research needed to develop Peter St John’s story—plot points I had to get right in this book before even beginning to pen the final installment of the Ghost Gifts trilogy.
I wrote Foretold on a tight timeline. I could not have accomplished this without the dedicated effort of my critique partner, Karin Gillespie. She kept me focused, on schedule, and rooted for me the entire way. Thanks also to authors Kendra Elliot, Kristina McMorris, and Barbara Claypole White. In past books, I’ve noted the Wednesday-night critique group. I’d like to thank them by name on this go-round, a fine group of writers who have become good friends: Margo Ball, Jocelyn Bates, Kathy Ginley, Cheryl Martin, and Sheri Oppe.
Ghost Gifts was a Kindle First. It gave my book the chance to connect with readers who otherwise might never have crossed paths with Aubrey, Levi, and company. When I wrote the book, I never imagined it would receive such a positive response; I never thought I’d write about ghosts again. I suppose Foretold proves that you never really can tell the future. Thank you, wonderful readers, for wanting more of Aubrey Ellis’s story. I am thrilled, excited, and humbled to bring it to you. Over the years, from Beautiful Disaster to Unstrung and now on to Foretold, I’ve gained a gracious and willing range of first readers whose encouragement is critical and friendship invaluable. I am most grateful for their continued support.
Lastly, writers spend a lot of time wringing their hands—over plots, over deadlines, over reviews and book sales, over the fact that there’s been no milk in the house for three days. It’s a short list of people that I can drop a dime or line to when these things become overwhelming: Melisa Holmes, Karin Gillespie, Barbara Claypole White, and Steve Bennett. You’re all awesome.
I always end my acknowledgment page with the people at home—Matt, Megan, Jamie, and Grant—because they also do the things noted above, without malice, plus they have to run out for the milk.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2010 Paul Vicario
Laura Spinella is the author of the #1 Kindle bestseller Ghost Gifts, as well as the highly acclaimed Unstrung and award-winning novel Beautiful Disaster. She also writes the Clairmont Series novels under the pen name L.J. Wilson. She consistently receives reader and industry praise for her multifaceted characters, emotional complexity, and intriguing story lines. Foretold is the second book in her Ghost Gifts trilogy; the third and final installment is slated for release in 2018.
Spinella lives with her family near Boston, where she can always be found writing her next novel. She enjoys hearing from readers and chatting with book clubs. Visit her at www.lauraspinella.net.
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