The Do-Over (40 page)

She closed the gap between them and put her arms around his neck. Pressing the smiling daisies of her cardigan to his chest, she held her breath until he brought it full circle. His hands gripped her waist, strong, and they held each other with more intensity than they ever had.

She felt his breath in her hair as he whispered. “I always have and always will love Mara Jane Mulligan.”

She laughed, in relief and promise. “If the Mulligans don’t get a do-over, who does?”

She felt him nod, their heads bobbing together with the motion.

Logan’s voice floated across the yard. “Mom, Dad? Hey, I’m gonna go over to Evan’s.”

“Go ahead,” Dan’s voice cracked, and Mara Jane Mulligan smiled. They would all go ahead.

My writing has always been a family endeavor. Thank you, Thom, for helping me become the writer I always wanted to be. Ava and Grace, you celebrated right beside me from the first draft on. My dad, John Dunne, named after a poet, understands the need to create. My mom, Audrey, told me at the end of her life, “Go write. It’s important.” My sisters Cindy and Diane and nieces Emilie, Ana, Amanda, and Eileen cheer me on in this great family of women. Bookgroup, more spectacular women in my life, whose fun and faith in me has pulled me up more than once: Allison McCarthy, Ann Waltz, Jennifer Rogge, Judy Palmer, Julie Stetter, Lucy Smith, Mary Jane Fenex, Sarah Pocker, Sonya Milheim, and Tina Lerum.

And a special thanks to the teachers, official and “un” who taught me exactly what I needed at the exact moment I needed it. Dewey Hartman, who believed first. Dennis Foley, my mentor and friend. The Authors of the Flathead and the Flathead River Writers Conference. Roxanne McHenry, e-publishing expert. Jennie Dunham and Dick Shepherd. The Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Kristin Howard, Christine Schimpff, Julie Sherrick, Mary Lloyd, Jean Paschke, Robyn Krogstad, and the University of Montana.

This is for the hundreds of writers I’ve had the joy of learning from every day that I’ve taught at Flathead Valley Community College.

 

Kathy began her career in journalism and later transitioned to the University of Montana and completed an MFA in Creative Writing. For the past eighteen years, her enthusiasm and educational skills provide students great learning opportunities in her current role as adjunct English instructor at Flathead Valley Community College.

Kathy is a tireless writer. Her novels and screenplays have been finalists in numerous competitions, including “The Unsuitable Café” earning first place in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest.

You can read more about Kathy Dunnhoff and her work at
www.KathyDunnehoff.com