Acknowledgements

Some time ago I put out a call on the Women Writing the West listserv and asked for a critique partner specifically from Texas. My idea was that only a Texan could properly check the language of my Texan characters, along with the veracity of scenes that take place in that state. Little did I know that this request would lead to a friendship I now treasure. And so, my deepest thanks to fellow author and tiny Texan, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell. I’m still tryin’ to keep it between the ditches, darlin’.

Karen, in turn, put me in touch with Mark Moseley, Certified Professional in Rangeland Management, from Helotes, Texas. Mark was a huge help with various technical aspects of the manuscript, and then some non-technical aspects, too. My sincere thanks to him.

Any mistakes, on any of these features, are mine alone and my responsibility.

While the creation of a story and characters is the author’s trade, it never ceases to amaze me how the repositioning of a clause, the addition or deletion of a phrase or word—not to forget correct punctuation—greatly improves the story. For these enhancements I am greatly indebted to my editor, Stacy D. Holmes.

And finally, where would I be without my best traveling partner—or perhaps I should say, ‘pardner’—my daughter, Cristal? Not only did she accompany me on a trip to Hill Country, Texas, but she did all the driving to Luckenbach, Bandera, and Fredericksburg. Sweetheart, you’re the Lone Star in my life.