A huge thank-you to Jared Rogerson, who allowed me to use his song in this book, and whose experience as a professional bareback rider shines through in all of his music. You can find him and “Ninety or Nothin’” at JaredRogerson.com.
To my amazing editor, Mary Altman, who gently but firmly reins in my infatuations with subplots and minor characters, delightful as they may be, and the art department at Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me to indulge my pathological need for authenticity with this cover. And to my fabulous agent, Holly Root, without whom I would never have gotten to work with this wonderful team.
Thank you to Richard and Dale Bird and Three Forks Saddlery (via my sister Lola) for lending us equipment for the photo shoot, and to Beau Michael for providing both the chaps and the inspiration for the scene in Reckless in Texas in which Violet and Joe meet for the first time. For Beau and everyone else who is or has been a rodeo kid—Beni Sanchez is all of us.
A big pat on the back to my invaluable readers, Janet and June for their brutal honesty, but also for being there to tell me that no, the book doesn’t suck. Just these few parts.
To Tanya Hancock, who, over a few beers at a rodeo, shared her experiences as a young widow, the final pieces that brought Tori into focus for me.
And as always, kudos to my husband, my son, and my parents for giving me the time and space to work when I need to and tolerating my frequent bouts of writer brain, during which I have forgotten everything from the tractor parts I was supposed to pick up in town to the fact that I have a child, let alone that he requires feeding on a semiregular basis.
And finally, here’s to all the women like me and Shawnee and Tori who are proud to say that they Rope Like a Girl. May you do the same, in all aspects of your life.