Theresa Osborne

Theresa Osborne is a columnist for the Boston Times. Theresa is recently divorced and raising her twelve-year-old son on her own, except for the occasional visits he makes to his father in California. Theresa is lonely and finds it difficult to date because most men are not eager to date a woman with a child. When the novel begins, Theresa is on vacation with her friend and editor, Deanna. During a jog on the beach, Theresa finds a bottle with a message closed inside. Theresa's life will soon change upon reading this letter, a letter that expresses a man's deep devotion to a lover he has lost. When the letter is published, Theresa comes across two other letters that this same man has sent to his dead wife. Theresa decides she wants to meet the man capable of writing such a letter.

When Theresa flies to Wilmington...