After all of the hullabaloo died down, a couple of things happened. Darryl offered to buy part of the river from Bunny but she refused. And although Mrs. Bailey White told Bunny she could move into her old Victorian house, Bunny declined, preferring to live in her fishing shack. When Darryl offered to buy a different section—the part that included the Negro settlement—that got on Bunny’s last good nerve, and she threatened to shoot him if he set one foot anywhere on her property. The night heron chicks, Liz and Lamar, survived. Robbie-Lee continued to thrive in New York City. He began studying acting with a famous teacher. He even got an understudy role in a play, and although it wasn’t on Broadway, we were ecstatically happy for him. Maybe this would be his big chance. Priscilla continued to get straight As at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, and there were hints that she had met someone special. She came home as often as she could to see the baby as well as her grandma, whose health had begun to decline. Jackie still had regular arguments with Ted about all the time he was spending on the road while trying to launch Wild Blue Yonder Airways. The business continued to be rocky, and Ted didn’t help matters when he misspoke at a Chamber of Commerce event in Tampa. “We have a dozen frights, er, flights, a day,” he said. The audience burst out laughing. For a while, people referred to Mr. Toomb’s pride and joy as White Knuckle Airways. Jackie and Plain Jane continued their plans to start a home for young, unwed mothers at Mrs. Bailey White’s house. I could see trouble on the horizon already; there’d been a heated discussion about what the residence would be called, with Jackie insisting on the Collier County Home for Exc eptional Girls. We never did find out who vandalized the Welcome to Dreamsville billboards with paint. Not that it mattered. Perhaps it really was the ghost of Seminole Joe. Some folks thought it was Judd Hart, but I never believed that. My money was on Mrs. Bailey White. Darryl got into some trouble when authorities asked him to explain where and how he got the idea that he could build Dreamsville Estates on what was, in fact, Bunny’s land. Darryl claimed to have bought the land from a fellow in Kentucky who, as it turned out, didn’t exist, but charges against Darryl never materialized. Meanwhile, Darryl began work on a different development, this one called Pirate’s Landing. He convinced the state to build the roads but after losing in court to Bunny, he lost his Basking Ridge, New Jersey, investors, along with the fiancée—kinfolk, we learned later, of our mayor’s wife. The abandoned roads of his new development eventually became an ideal landing strip—for drug smugglers coming to the U. S. from Central America. Way to go, Darryl. I went back to Jackson on a late November day with barely a dime left in my pocket. I’d been gone three months and didn’t expect anyone to forgive me for being gone so long. To my surprise, my job at the library and my room at Mrs. Conroy’s waited for me. I worked at the library long enough to pay Mrs. Conroy the money I owed, plus a little extra on account of her being patient with me. I wrote a brand-new short story called “The Book Club” and showed it to Miss Welty in her garden. This time she not only liked it, she suggested that I write more. When it was time to say good-bye to Jackson, my new friends implored me to stay, but this much was clear to me: I belonged in Collier County. I wanted to say farewell to 1964, and welcome 1965, by singing “Auld Lang Syne” with my book-club friends. I had always known Naples was home but now I understood my de ep attachment. Of course, nothing would be the same, knowing what I now did about Mama and myself. My life had changed; I had changed. There was no going back but taking st eps toward the future was necessary, even if it sometimes felt like running barefoot in de ep sand. I had learned that dreams have a life of their own, propelling us onward even when they don’t come true or are realized in unexpected ways. Now there would be time
for new dreams, though, and I had a feeling that Mama, up in heaven, would have liked that. Mama used to say, Open your heart to the future, Dora. You can either be afraid of what’s to come, or embrace it, come what may. I was so glad I could still hear her voice. Back at home, near the mangroves, the herons, and the turtles, and sle eping soundly in my little cottage by the sea, I would start the next chapter of my life. This new beginning would, no doubt, include writing and storytelling. Only now, thanks to my recent journey, and the encouragement of Miss Welty, I had the confidence to value my own experiences. My stories were my own, and I would tell the stories I was meant to tell. Come what may. Acknowledgments I am overwhelmed with gratitude to thousands of readers, including book clubs across America and beyond, whose love and enthusiasm for my first novel, Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society, inspired me to write this sequel. I am humbled and de eply moved by the support of each and every one of you. Both books are works of historical fiction inspired by my long-ago experiences as a fledgling newspaper r eporter in Florida. Thank you to the people of the great Sunshine State, especially in Hillsborough and Volusia Counties, where a key part of my life was launched. And, of course, thank you to the people of Collier County, where my wonderful and devoted husband, Blair, grew up. It’s safe to say that this book and its predecessor would not exist if not for Blair, whose stories from life in Naples in the 1960 s captivated my heart and imagination. Collier County folk who have been enormously helpful include Robin De Mattia, Sandy Linneman and the Friends of the Collier County Library, the staff of Sunshine Booksellers on Marco Island, the librarians and staff of the Collier County Library System, and the volunteers at the Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City. I must thank my parents, Dorothy S. and Lee H. Hill, Jr., for encouraging me to become a writer. I would be nothing without my parents. Thank you for (among other things) reading to me as a child; putting up with me when I was a highly annoying teenager; paying for my college education; and teaching me (to quote my old friends, the Delany Sisters) to reach high! Thanks also to my brother Lee, a race-car driver; my brother Jonathan, a cultural anthropologist; and my sister, Helen, a musician and elementary school teacher. I have learned a lot from each of you. Thank you, also, for my nieces and n ephews, who are my joy! Professionally speaking, I am very grateful to Carolyn Reidy, president and CEO of Simon & Schuster, Inc.; and Judith Curr, executive vice president, publisher, and founder of Atria Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.), for unwavering support and enthusiasm. My editor, Sarah Cantin, is a gem, with whom I look forward to many future adventures. Thank you, Sarah, for editorial insight, which brought out the best in me as a writer. More than any other publisher with whom I have worked, the staff of Atria Books works as a team. I would like to thank the production, marketing, publicity, and sales staff. Your talent and dedication are de eply appreciated. Together, we have created something special. Very sincere thanks to my longtime agent, Mel Berger at William Morris Endeavor, who is not only the best literary agent in the business but also a very funny guy and a great friend. I must also thank my dear friend and longtime publishing attorney, John R. Firestone, of Pavia & Harcourt in New York. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Kathy L. Murphy, founder of the Pulpwood Queens, the largest book club in the known universe with more than six hundred chapters. Kathy is a whirlwind of book-loving enthusiasm. All are welcome at her unique, annual authors-and-readers retreat called Girlfriend Weekend held each January in Texas. I have visited many
book clubs in person or via Skype/Facetime. The list is very long so I will just mention a few: the Stonebridge Book Club, Kensington Book Club, Harborside Gardens Book Club, Olde Cypress Book Club, and “The Runaways” Book Club, all of Naples, Florida. Elsewhere in Florida: “The Book Ends” of Pinellas County, the Glen Lakes/Weeki Wachee Book Club, the “Caloosa Readers” of Fort Myers, and the Everglades City Book Club. Other book clubs I’ve enjoyed include groups in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Columbia, South Carolina; Woodbridge, New Jersey; Wall Township, New Jersey; Baldwinsville, New York; and Tyler, Texas, home of the “Tyler Well Read Roses.” I must thank nine women novelists with whom I share a phenomenal group blog, Southern Belle View Daily: Lisa Wingate, Julie Perkins Cantrell, Denise Hildreth Jones, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Nicole Seitz, Jolina Petersheim, Eva Marie Everson, and Rachel Hauck. Thank you for welcoming me to the porch! Last (but never least), thanks to the members of my local writers group, the Sisterhood of Atomic Engineers: Pat, Caren, Janet, Audrey (who kindly read this manuscript and provided insight), Gwen, Denise, Joanne, Lillian, Nina, Frances, Jen, Kim, Leah, Kris, and our emerita member, Jo. Y’all ke ep me sane! Thank you for sharing the milestones, both good and bad, in this writer’s life. Miss Dreamsville and the Lost Heiress of Collier County AMY HILL HEARTH An Atria Paperback Readers Club Guide Introduction It’s late summer 1964, and members of the Collier County Women’s Literary Society are shocked to learn that a large development is planned for the edge of the Everglades along a stretch of tidal river that is cherished by several members of the book club, including Dora Witherspoon, the book’s narrator. The development also threatens Gun Rack Village, a hideaway in the swamp where the residents include book club member Robbie-Lee Simpson’s mother, Dolores, a recluse whose life re volves around her small fishing shack. In her first novel, Hearth explored what life was like for outsiders or “misfits” in a small, isolated community in southwest Florida in 1962. By forming a book club, they band together and thrive. In this sequel, Hearth addresses how our identities are closely tied to the places we call home, and the stresses and conflicts that arise when great change is on the horizon. It is also a story of how long-held secrets, once revealed, can have unexpected consequences. Questions and Topics for Discussion 1. Secrets can shape our lives in peculiar ways. Do you believe that ke eping a secret is sometimes necessary, or is revealing the truth always the right thing to do? 2. Book club member Priscilla is away from her baby, attending college in another part of the state so that she and her child will have a better future. This is an enormous sacrifice and Priscilla is conflicted. (page 152) Do you think she is making the right choice? If you were in her shoes, would you make the same decision? 3. Hearth explores the different treatment that an unmarried woman could expect to experience upon finding herself with an unplanned pregnancy. (page 62) What did it mean for a poor teen compared to one who came from a family with resources?
4. The tension between Northern and Southern states is illuminated by the experiences of Jackie and her husband, Ted, who are from Boston. Jackie, in particular, makes many misst eps while adjusting to life below the Mason-Dixon Line. Do you think the “North-South Divide” has improved or grown worse since the 1960 s, and why? 5. In a post–9/11 era with Homeland Security, would Judd’s Cold War experiments with volatile chemicals and rockets be interpreted differently? Would Ted be allowed to privately settle the matter with his son? How have both political views and parental roles changed in fifty years? 6. Were there any historical facts about Florida that surprised you? Were you aware that Florida was a Confederate state during the Civil War and that the KKK was very active in the state into the 1960 s? 7. Society tends to judge women like Dolores very harshly. Often, a stripper or “exotic dancer” is viewed as a simplistic, stereotypical character. Hearth, however, shows Dolores as a complex human being, an overlooked or “invisible” person worthy of our attention. Should Dolores’s past life be considered in court as a way of judging the veracity of her testimony? 8. There are several ardent fans of the actress Elizabeth Taylor in the book. Are you a “Liz” fan? Have you ever watched any of her movies? Which of her movie roles was your favorite? Can you name an actress on a par with her today in terms of influence and iconic stature? 9. The Everglades region could be said to be a main character of the novel. Did the book change the way you “see” that part of the country? 10. Throughout history there have been many debates over the idea that real estate actually can be owned. At various times and places real estate was owned: by individuals, by corporations, by kings, in common, or by the state. Some view real estate as entirely owned by an individual, who has the right to preserve, develop, or destroy it (and whatever lives on it). Some see real estate as being held in trust for future generations, regardless of who currently owns it. This debate is woven into the fabric of the book. As you read it, where in the debate did you find yourself to be? 11. How should society decide whether to allow development of places like the Everglades? Does the kind of development change the equation? How much economic benefit does there need to be to outweigh individual property rights versus ecological benefits, such as oxygen production, water conservation, and species protection? 12. Some people (like Jackie) welcome change. Others (like Dora) fear it. Which do you think describes you? 13. Seminole Joe is Collier County’s boogeyman. The conc ept of a ghost who seeks revenge is commonplace in many cultures. Can you think of an example of a famous boogeyman? Did your hometown have a boogeyman? What was he called? 14. Jackie creates confusion by wearing mourning clothes for an unusual reason. Were you aware of the strict societal rules about wearing black, and for how long, after a death? What was expected of you during that time in the culture in which you grew up? How has that changed today?
15. Dora “got to thinking how strange it is to be alive in this world. It’s not like anyone asks to be born; you just arrive whether you like it or not. You’ve got no say whatsoever in who your parents are.” How much of our lives is a result of circumstances over which we have no control? Does destiny, or free will, determine our lives? Enhance Your Book Club 1. Visit Amy Hill Hearth’s website at www. amyhillhearth. com to learn more about the author and to read her essay “Why I Write.” Contact her through the link on her website and invite her to “Skype” or “Facetime” with your book club. 2. Play some of the music mentioned in the novel, including “Another Saturday Night” (Sam Cooke), “Where Did Our Love Go?” (The Supremes), “The House of the Rising Sun” (Eric Burdon/The Animals), “Everybody Loves Somebody” (Dean Martin), “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (The Beatles), “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Ray Orbison), “You Don’t Own Me” (Lesley Gore), and “Peggy Sue” (Buddy Holly). 3. Pr epare and share food and drink mentioned in the novel, such as Jell-O wine, pineapple upside-down cake, Collier County cheese grits, Mrs. Bailey White’s Died and Gone to Heaven Cake, and Boston Coolers. Visit www. amyhillhearth. com for recipes! 4. Pick one of the books that the Collier County Women’s Literary Society reads (or plans to read) in the sequel, such as To the Lighthouse, Cross Creek, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, and A Moveable Feast. 5. Dora Witherspoon talks to her pet snapping turtles. Dolores Simpson chats with a heron she calls Peggy Sue. Have you ever found yourself talking to “critters” as if they were human? Have you ever given a wild creature a name? BLAIR A. HEARTH AMY HILL HEARTH is the author of Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society, and the author or coauthor of seven nonfiction books including Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years, the New York Times bestseller and Broadway play. Hearth, a former writer for the New York Times, began her career as a r eporter at a small daily newspaper in Florida, where she met her future husband, Blair (a Collier County native). The couple now live in the greater New York area. MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT Simonand Schuster. com authors. simonandschuster. com/Amy-Hill-Hearth Facebook. com/Atria Books @Atria Books ALSO BY AMY HILL HEARTH Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years The Delany Sisters’ Book of Everyday Wisdom On My Own at 107: Reflections on Life Without Bessie In a World Gone Mad The Delany Sisters Reach High “Strong Medicine” Speaks: A Native American Elder Has Her Say Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women’s Literary Society We hope you enjoyed reading this Atria Books e Book. Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Atria Books and Simon & Schuster.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP or visit us online to sign up at e Book News. Simonand Schuster. com An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 www. Simonand Schuster. com This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2015 by Amy Hill Hearth Cover Design by Studio Takoma Cover Photographs by Shutterstock All rights reserved, including the right to r eproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Atria Books Subsidiary Rights D epartment, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. First Atria Paperback edition S eptember 2015 and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or business@simonandschuster. com. The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www. simonspeakers. com. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hearth, Amy Hill, date. Miss Dreamsville and the lost heiress of Collier County : a novel / Amy Hill Hearth.—First Atria Paperback edition. pages ; cm 1. Life change events—Fiction. 2. Literature—Societies, etc.—Fiction. 3. Florida—Intellectual life —Fiction. I. Title. PS3608. E274 M58 2015 813'.6—dc23 2014040719 ISBN 978-1-4767-6574-7 ISBN 978-1-4767-6575-4 (ebook)