Читать онлайн «Cryer's Cross»
Автор Лайза Макманн
Annotation
The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on… until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear…and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating…and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly — and deadly — local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.
For Kennedy
Many thanks:
To my daughter, Kennedy, for all the incredibly tough challenges she’s endured with her OCD, and for letting me share some of it in hopes that others might understand or find some comfort. I’m really proud of you, kiddo.
To my son, Kilian, for being one of my first readers, and for his discerning artist’s eye. Also for being the front.
To my amazing husband, Matt, my biggest supporter, who constantly picks up the slack without complaint when I’m traveling or on deadline, and who reads everything I write, even when it’s rough, and helps me make it better.
To the White House Boys for telling their story and inspiring part of this one.
To Kendall Kovalik, for whom the main character is named, and her lovely mom who donated so generously to Project Book Babe to make it happen.
To Dave Gritter and Lindy Flanigan for your help with all the soccer stuff.
To June and Karl DeJonge for knowing so much about potato farms in Montana.
To Deke Snow for carrying my luggage to my room in Rochester and for being generally awesome in all ways.
To my agent, Michael Bourret, for the encouragement, the thoughtfulness, the never-ending hard work, and the laughs. You are one amazing person. I am so grateful for everything you have done for me.
To my editor, Jennifer Klonsky, who jumped on my extremely primitive idea for this book before I even knew it was an idea, and to the entire team at Simon Pulse for all you do for me and for my books. You guys are incredible and I love you and appreciate you so much.
To all the AYT actors I’ve met over the years — you have been such awesome readers and spreaders of the book love. Thanks for telling your friends! And always remember that I am your biggest fan.
When it is over, We breathe and ache like old oak, like peeling birch. One of Our lost souls set free.
