Welcome back to the light, partners! We were certain you wouldn’t escape the deep, dark perils that awaited you, but here you stand, undefeated and as strong as ever. Now come on over to the campfire, kick off your boots, rest up your pony, and let the authors say a few final words. We’ve got a whole heap of folks to thank before this here book closes, and we’d like to start with:
Our agent extraordinaire, Brooks Sherman, who told us long ago to keep steady eyes on the long path to publishing this series. Brooks, thank you for believing we could do that, and for trusting that we could cross the finish line. Simply put: You’re the best. The same can be said for our amazing team at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, remarkable folks like:
The great Brian Geffen, our brilliant editor and fearless leader of the Lost Causes. Brian, you’re one of the finest cowboys to ever ride in the saddle, and we’re mighty thankful for your friendship and your dedication to Keech’s story. Ditto for the incomparable Morgan Rath, our publicist and first-class trail captain, as well as the magnificent Christian Trimmer, editorial director at Henry Holt. We also thank the exceptional Liz Dresner, best book designer this side of the Mississippi, along with Mark Podesta, Katie Halata, and our marvelous Macmillan School and Library team. Friends, for keeping your faith in a pair of old buckaroos, we tip our hats to you. As well as to the wonderful:
Alexandria Neonakis, our interior art and cover illustrator, who has brought the world of the Lost Causes into such breathtaking view. Alex, we’re so grateful to have had your imagination and talent on our team.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the folks at the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center and Language Department in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Director Addie Hudgins, cultural specialist Jennifer Tiger, cultural specialist Harrison Hudgins, and anyone else at the Osage Heritage Center who assisted on the cultural content of the Lost Causes series—we thank you endlessly for your guidance, assistance, and friendship.
Next, we offer our “much obliged” to Ibeawuchi Travis Uzoegwu, for your patient, eagle-eyed reading of Quinn Revels throughout the series and the excellent notes you provided our team. When you gave advice, Ibe, we paid close attention. Thank you for taking the time to read our novels and providing your extensive knowledge and insights.
We also thank Dr. Beckie Bigler and Reinaldo Sanchez for your amazing assistance and input on the Spanish content of the series. The same goes for Marianne Caron for your kind support with regard to French words and phrases. And a special thanks to our Pawnee contact for a much-needed cultural perspective of Pawnee interactions on the Santa Fe Trail in 1856.
Brad says: Well, Louis, I reckon that just might do it! We best skedaddle.
Louis says: Not so fast, partner. Let me take the reins for a spell. I want to thank my wife, Kimberly, and the pups for being so understanding about my long writing hours and for listening to me work through ideas. Also, a massive thanks to my folks, who continue to be the best, and to my siblings, who make a mighty cool pack. Thanks as well to my wonderful in-laws for all your support, and to my rambunctious nieces and nephews for making me laugh like you do. And a special appreciation to the good folk at Lewis-Clark State College, especially for the support I’ve received from my chair, Martin Gibbs, and the creative-writing faculty. And to all my students who’ve read the Lost Causes books, I hope you follow my lead and write some rip-roaring adventures of your own. Finally, I’d like to thank my partner, Brad, who has remained my most loyal companion through this process. Thanks, pard.
Brad blushes. Aw shucks, Lou, same goes to ya! You’re the best trailmate a fella could ask for. Now let me take those reins a moment; I reckon I’ve got a few folks to thank myself. I’ll start with:
My amazing wife, Alisha, and stepdaughter, Chloe. You both are my world, and I dedicate every month, hour, and second of writing this series to you. I also send my love and appreciation to my mother, Babs, and stepdad, Joe, for always believing in me and pushing me across the finish line, as well as my pa, Jerry, and my siblings, Missy, Pam, and Greg. I’d also like to thank my friend Brandon Hobson for his continual encouragements and brainstorming sessions over coffee at The Perk. And I’d be terribly remiss if I didn’t tip my hat to the various bookstore friends and colleagues I’ve met on the trail in Oklahoma—folks like Roger and Pat Mullins of Bliss Books & Bindery in Stillwater; Tara Smith and Jerry Brace and all my friends at Brace Books & More in Ponca City; Joe and Nan Hight and Shelbee King at Best of Books in Edmond; Jeff Martin and Pat Cawiezell and all the good folk at Magic City Books in Tulsa; and, of course, all my exceptional friends at the Woodland Plaza Barnes and Noble in Tulsa. Thank you all for supporting Keech’s journey and for sharing the Lost Causes with so many readers.
I also offer a bundle of gratitude to my ever-supportive colleagues at Fire Protection Publications. And a very special shout-out to my debut group, the Electric Eighteens, an outstanding passel of authors who are changing the world one sentence at a time. I also thank the tremendous middle-school librarians and teachers I’ve met while taking Keech and his crew on the book trail. That goes double for Jennifer Leonard and her eighth-grade English students at Rensselaer Jr./Sr. High School in Rensselaer, New York. Thank you so much, friends, for welcoming this Oklahoma writer into your classroom and letting me serve for a time as your #KidsNeedMentors author.
Louis says: That’s a dandy list, Brad! Anybody else to thank before we scoot?
Brad says: I couldn’t allow this here book to close before I thank my best friends, Jim Patterson, Michael Armstrong, and Eric Vaughan, for always standing tall with me through sunshine and cloud. Jim, though you left this world far too early, your magnificent spirit endures. Neither death nor illness nor outlaws nor cursed relics can ever stop the power of our friendship. I love you, brother.
At long last, we come to YOU, amazing reader. As we’ve said before, we couldn’t have accomplished any of this without you and your imagination. May you and your pony find all the greenest grasses, may you ride the calmest trails, and may you drink the coolest water. As you gallop on down the path, remember to be good to one another, spread love and compassion to everyone you meet, and live each day with courage. Ride tall in the saddle, friends, and be well.