Acknowledgments

What a crazy journey this second book has been. And just like the first, I had loads of help along the path. There’s no way to sufficiently thank each of you, but I’d like to at least take this speck of ink and try.

To Don, for your constant encouragement and for propping me up while I learned to navigate publishing deadlines. Thank you most of all for loving me and liking me … even when I’m an unlovable, frazzled wreck.

To my kids: Jessica, Drew, Dene, Jillian, and Janae. And my kids-in-law: Colton and Kelsea. Thank you for your support during all the craziness. I apologize for the times I was a writer first and a mother second.

To Marci for taking on the role of first reader. What would this book have become without your eyes on the manuscript? Eww, I can’t even imagine.

To Mom and Dad for sharing your expertise on all things Caprock and verbally traveling across Texas with me the past year. Let’s do it again soon.

To Ron McWhorter for details regarding diamondback rattlesnakes and the Sweetwater Round-up. If not for you, I would have made many, many embarrassing mistakes. I probably still did, but if so, they are my mistakes and not yours.

To my Facebook friends who serve as a wealth of knowledge for random research questions. Thank you for assuring me Tyler’s wreck could happen in the real world. And for helping me dress Fawn in designer brands I’ve never heard of. And for putting Susan behind the wheel of an Audi, which suits her so much better than an SUV. You guys are way more fun than an encyclopedia, and you know everything.

To my agent, Jessica Kirkland, for gently pointing out the lameness of my first draft. You literally made this story what it is, and I love seeing your fingerprints throughout its pages. I can’t imagine ever writing a book without you.

To my developmental editor, Jamie Chavez, for convincing me Justified was not dreadful, and for doing everything in your power to make it better. If we ever meet in the real world, I’m going to give you a bear hug. Then a fist bump. Then a high five. Maybe even an air kiss.

To my copyeditor, Jennifer Lonas, for cleaning up the loose ends. If not for you, Rowdy’s eyes would have changed color midstory and Labor Day would have been late in September. I’m amazed at the way you keep track of details across all three books. I can’t even do that, and I wrote them.

And, of course, to all the folks at David C Cook who brought Fawn Blaylock to life. Ingrid Beck, for helping me through the flurry of publishing stages. Amy Konyndyk, for creating another beautiful cover. Helen Macdonald, for making sure the manuscript was spotless. Darren Terpstra, Karla Colonnieves, Lisa Beech, and Jeane Wynn, for getting it out there. And to Karen Athen, Nick Lee, and all the other marketing, editing, and production people whom I’ve never met and therefore never had the chance to annoy. You guys are the ones who actually make the magic.