The Characters

The vibrant young woman who loved life as a great adventure — until her parents took Adam away.

“Sophie Degarrin knew exactly what this summer would be.…”

The returning veteran, the world champion roper, the man who never loved anyone else.

“I have to, Sophie. I love you too much not to go.…”

Sophie’s mother. The architect of heartbreak who spends twenty years wondering if she was wrong.

“It is a La Conquistadora treasure and here it will safely st…”

The Tennessee cowboy who found arrowheads and died young. The novel’s ghost.

“It’s only tricky, Miss Louisa, if you stay caught.…”

The ranch manager. Loves the land, loves his daughter, destroys both their happiness.

“The Stillmores have found a buyer. We’ll have until spring.”

Sophie and Joe’s son. He goes to his mother’s ranch and never learns the secret.

“Now that was better than getting laid.”

The man who married Sophie knowing she loved someone else. The novel’s quiet hero.

“I got a rare and wonderful woman who was madly in love with someone else.”

Degarrin’s sister. Sophie’s sanctuary.

The foreman. Runs the wagon. Says what needs saying.

“That’s not letting a man go, Mike. That’s leaving him for dead.”

Kyle’s best friend. The outsider who sees everything clearly.

“Because she always does.”

Chuck wagon cook. The best cobbler and sourdough biscuits in the whole world.

“Launchee! Launchee!”

Cook and housekeeper at Casa Blanca. The kitchen is her kingdom.

“I am the only reason you were not as fat as a killing hog. But do I get any thanks?”

Windmill man and blacksmith. Near genius.

“I was just sitting here wishing I had someone new to talk to.”

Sophie’s best friend. Rides better than half the crew.

“Sophie is the only one with a shot at Adam Connor, and it’s one she better not take.”

Young cowboy. Married Kitten. Will exaggerate any story until corrected.

“I had a good time, Senor Ignacio.”

1969 cowboy. Permanently amused. Architect of mischief.

“Nobody out here does that, Jason. You just stand up in your stirrups and take care of your business. The horse doesn’t care.”

Red-faced cowboy who never needs an excuse to run a horse.

“This damned nag has been mistreating me this last hour!”

Blacksmith and cowboy. His great-great-grandfather left an Alabama plantation after the Civil War.

“Who was this Danny, anyway?”

Young cowboy, gifted roper. Cheerfully breaks the rules.

“I’m going to miss this old place. I had the time of my life.”

Rufina’s baby brother. The cream in his coffee is non-negotiable.

“You have cream for the coffee?”

Fifteen. Toby’s granddaughter. Barrel racing champion.

“Maybe Baby, we’ll win tonight.”

Kyle’s girlfriend. Will follow Kyle anywhere.

“I love you so much, Kyle, that if you ever leave me, I’m going with you.”

Toby’s daughter, Sophie’s friend. Quick, mischievous.

Former La Conquistadora hand. Keeps the 1946 photographs on his walls.

“To the best of times.”

Old cowboy. Near seventy. Has spent a lifetime riding ranges.

“Kyle, take a good look at me. I’m near seventy years old. You’re seventeen. We are doing the exact same job for just about the same pay.”

Sophie’s college friend. Gives the honest advice.

“If you’re going to have to spend your life without him, at least don’t do it alone.”