Talking Eyes

Dedication

To my mother, who taught me that great people are made of passion, and then proved it by becoming the most passionate teacher I will ever have. Every word in this book was painted on my heart by you first. I did not write this alone; I only finally wrote down what you already gave me.

To the two Elizabeths, one who raised me with a devotion I am still learning to deserve, and one who found me with her eyes and has never fully let go since. You did not just share a name. You shared the work of building me into a man capable of love, patient enough to wait for it, and brave enough to finally say so.

And to Ashley, my guardian angel, for a quiet, steady kind of protection I have felt at every turn of this story, whether or not I always knew to call it by your name. Some people walk beside you. Others watch over you from somewhere you cannot always see. I have been fortunate enough to be loved by both kinds.

This book was written with love. It is given the same way.