Ada's Rules (34 page)

I want to especially thank my husband, David Steele Ewing, for loving every ounce of me, lost or found.

In the time I was writing this book I was most often fed by Burger-Up, a wonderful farm-to-table restaurant in my neighborhood. I want to thank Miranda and all our bright young friends, musicians, artists, photographers, writers, chefs, and plain joyful livers who have brought so much optimism and so much care to this project. I also want to thank Margot and the staff at my favorite place in the world to eat brunch, Margot Café and Bar. I have been eating at Margot for a decade, almost all my novel-writing life. That is a very good thing. It is also a very good thing that new good places and tastes arrive. For our family, City House has become a well-loved institution. Sitting with Tandy at his chef's bar is a pure food pleasure. Eating in Nashville
is nowhere more adventuresome than at the Catbird Seat. Josh and the Goldbergs create exquisite bites that delight the tongue and feed the eye. What to say about Randy Rayburn's Sunset Grill—well, that's where we spent Easter Sunday this year. That tells a lot. Over two decades of dining at Sunset I can't begin to remember all the joys, losses, and new joys I have celebrated and mourned in the shelter of Randy's foodspace. The person who dines out with David and me more often than any other person is Godmommy Lea. Lea is the miracle: a fit black foodie. Lord we all love her so.

While I was writing this book, my daughter was living and teaching down in the Mississippi Delta. We owe a debt of gratitude to our Delta Circle, the people with roots in that place who have been such supportive friends to my sweet girl: Dr. Edwards, Elizabeth, Hiram, Julia, Mary McKay, Maudie, Lang, Melissa, Nick, Ruthie, and Yvette.

And I thank my daughter. Ada's daughters follow Ada to fitland. If I get to fitland it will be because I followed in the strong footsteps of Caroline Randall Williams. She is the sugar in the plum.

Alice Randall was born in Detroit, grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Harvard. She is the author of the
New York Times
bestseller
The Wind Done Gone
,
Pushkin and the Queen of Spades
, and
Rebel Yell.
She is also an award-winning country songwriter. Randall lives with her husband in Nashville and is currently writer-in-residence at Vanderbilt University. Like Ada, she's done battle with her weight. And, like Ada, she's a proud member of the Links, Incorporated.

The Wind Done Gone
Pushkin and the Queen of Spades
Rebel Yell

Copyright © 2012 by Alice Randall

Electronic edition published in May 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address Bloomsbury USA, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. This book is also not intended to provide specific nutritional or medical advice for any individual. Before making significant changes in diet, consult a qualified professional.

Published by Bloomsbury USA, New York

Grateful acknowledgment is made for permission to reprint the following
previously published material: “If You're Going Through Hell
(Before the Devil Even Knows),” © 2006 Gravitron Music (SESAC),
Whadayafed Music (SASAC), 66.67. A division of Carnival Music Company.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Randall, Alice.
Ada's rules : a sexy skinny novel / Alice Randall.—1st U.S. ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-6081-9840-5 (e-book)
I. Title.
PS3568.A486A65 2012
813'.54—dc23
2011038692

First U.S. Edition 2012

www.bloomsburyusa.com