Page 167 of Homecoming

“How’s Kirby?” Dan asked after her brother went to grab a beer from the cooler.

“He’s doing okay.” She filled him in on her dad’s plan for the company.

“Sounds like a great plan that keeps the company in the family and ensures a smooth transition into the next generation.”

“I agree.”

Kara snuggled into his embrace to watch the fireworks as a feeling of true contentment settled over her. She’d come home, faced her demons and found they’d lost some of their claws in the years she’d been gone. Time had a way of marching forward and leaving the past and its many lessons behind, but those lessons had made her stronger and wiser, and they’d led her to the life she was meant to lead with the man of her dreams.

“Do you feel ready to go home?” Dan asked.

“I can’t wait to get home—and I can’t wait to come back here.”

“I can’t wait for all of it. Every single day with you and Dylan.”

“Me either.”

“Then what do you say we ask Slim to pick us up in the morning?”

“I’m with you, Counselor. All the way.”

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Thank you for reading HOMECOMING!I loved writing this book about Kara and Dan’s trip to Maine and the chance to delve into the Ballard family dynamics while righting some past wrongs along the way. It was fun to showcase Dan’s special talents for getting to the truth and finding the right people to help him.

As I’ve mentioned, Downeast is NOT going to become another series. I decided while writing this book that I cannot take on the commitment to another series right now with three others at various stages. I reserve the right to revisit this world in the future if inspiration strikes, but for now, there’re no plans to continue this story, even if we may see some of these characters on Gansett Island in the future. I have a LOT on my plate already with the First Family, Wild Widows and Gansett Island Seriesstill going strong and another series chomping at the bit to be written. Not to mention I’m planning a new Quantum book for 2025. I never want to promise more than I can deliver, thus the decision to keep Downeast to this book and the Dan & Kara Prequel novel.

Join the Homecoming Reader Group at www.facebook.com/groups/homecomingreaders/ to discuss this new story with spoilers allowed and the Downeast Group at www.facebook.com/groups/downeastreaders for any future updates in this world.

Many thanks to the team that supports me behind the scenes: Julie Cupp, Lisa Cafferty, Jean Mello, Nikki Haley, Ashley Lopes, and Emily Force. Thank you to my editors Linda Ingmanson and Joyce Lamb, as well as my A Team Beta readers Anne Woodall and Kara Conrad. Thank you to my author friend and former attorney Sawyer Bennett, who helped with some legal details to keep that part of the story as authentic as possible.

I recruited some of Gansett Island readers as well as readers who live in Maine to help out with a few details and beta reads. Thank you to: Holly, Janet, Jennifer, Jen, Deb, Karen, Irene, Jean, Jill, Juliane, Marianne, Bethany and Amy.

I read and enjoyed “How to Catch a Lobster in Down East Maine” by Christina Lemieux Oragano, “Downeast” by Gigi Georges, which gave insight into the area as well as the lobstering tradition.

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