I'm one of those people who tend to have long friendships. To give you an example, one of my dearest friends is Diane DeGooyer. We grew up across the street from one another in Yakima, Washington and went through 12 years of school together. We're still the best of friends. Jane Berghoff McMahon, my best friend all through high school and beyond, is another example. We still get together as often as our schedules will allow.
When it came to creating the “Cedar Cove” series it seemed a natural extension of my own life to give Olivia a lifelong friend, and so I created Grace, played beautifully by Teryl Rothery. Grace is a combination of Diane and Jane and me, filled with character and conviction, wit and charm. (I could say the charming part came from me but that would be a fib.) Like what happened to Olivia, Grace is suddenly single and who better to see her through the path ahead than her dearest friend in life, Olivia Lockhart. As often happens, when one thing happens to one it also happens to the other. Love is in the air for Olivia and encouraged by her friend, Grace meets her match in rancher and horse breeder, Cliff Harting. But remember, the road to romance is often filled with ruts, dead ends and leaky faucets. Never fear; it will all be explained in this episode. For more from Debbie, visit her website!