Winds of Wyoming (A Kate Neilson Novel) (43 page)

“Funny how your mom never mentioned having a theme song.”

Home, home on the range …

Laura joined them and, together, the Duncan family circled the room laughing, singing and linking arms with friend upon friend. They danced out the door, across the porch and into the pumpkin glow of the magnificent harvest moon cresting the mountain.

The band stopped playing, but the revelers, followed by Tramp barking his approval, continued to weave with the wind through the swaying trees.

Buffalo gal, won’t you come out tonight,

come out tonight, come out tonight?

Buffalo gal, won’t you come out tonight

and dance by the light of the moon.

Dedication

Winds of Wyoming is dedicated to the memory of my parents, Carrol and Lawrence Carey, who grew up on Wyoming homesteads and taught me to love God, family and Wyoming—and to the memory of Myrtle Smith, a dear friend who shared her sweet spirit with the world for 102 years, and who also shared my delight in the lilting western meadowlark songs that ring across Wyoming prairies.

Acknowledgements

A number of gracious individuals encouraged and assisted me while I composed and recomposed Winds of Wyoming. I am deeply grateful for the input provided by those who sludged through part or all of my early drafts of the story: Becky Dobson Carey, Peter Leavell, Sherrie Lord, Alissa Lyles, Brady Lyles, Steve Lyles, Amanda Martin, Robin Papaleka and Patricia Watkins. Much, much credit for a cohesive story goes to Chris White, courageous StoneHouse editor. His determination to iron out the wrinkles was just what my manuscript needed. Alissa, Brady, Peter and Steve also graciously provided final proofs of the story. As Peter says, it takes a team!

I also appreciate the support provided by fellow writing group members in Wyoming, Arizona and Idaho throughout the years I’ve been writing. Their insights and friendship through the hair-pulling process of transferring thoughts from brain to computer have been invaluable. Connie Flynn and Linda Style, bootcampfornovelists.com teachers and mentors, provided excellent instruction and guidance. Numerous writing-conference instructors and writing-contest judges have also taught me much.

Many thanks to wordsmiths Kris Neely, founder of West Valley Writers Workshop in Arizona, and Angela Ruth Strong, founder of Idahope Christian Fiction Writers, for creating supportive writing groups and for their unflagging backing of my own wordsmithing.

Thanks also to Dana at the Terry Bison Ranch near Cheyenne, Wyoming, for patiently answering my many questions and to the American Bison Association for providing additional helpful information.

My amazing parents-in-law, Nelly and Finis Lyles, are unwavering cheerleaders for their family. They tenaciously uphold each member and encourage our every endeavor. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your love and for your interest in my interests, including writing.

Most of all, I thank God for his direction and inspiration through his Word and Presence, and my dear, sweet husband, Steve, for his steadfast belief in my abilities. He not only stands by my side but tolerates my long hours at the computer and helps me search for just the right word when I’m stuck. I love you, sweetheart!

The residents and volunteers I’ve met in various prisons and support ministries deserve special recognition, though they’re too numerous to mention names. I’m awed by the brave souls who allow prison to become a stepping stone toward a new life in Christ and by those who walk alongside them.

Four excellent faith-based programs with which I’ve had firsthand experience are: Freedom Fellowship, Fort Collins, Colorado; Along Side Ministries, Phoenix, Arizona; City Light Home for Women and Children, Boise, Idaho; and Chrysalis Women’s Transitional Living, Boise, Idaho. May God continue to bless organizations and individuals dedicated to shining God’s healing light into hurting hearts.

About the Author

Though
Winds of Wyoming
is her first novel, Rebecca Carey Lyles began her writing and editing career years ago, working mostly with nonfiction articles and books. Recent stories have appeared in fiction and nonfiction compilations, including “One Touch from the Maker” and “Escape from the Prison System,” both published by Puckett Browne Publishing, and “Intrigue: Stories of Suspense,” published by StoneHouse Ink. She lives with her husband in beautiful Idaho, which shares a border with her home state, wonderful Wyoming. Visit the author online at
http://www.beckylyles.com
.

All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.

StoneHouse Ink 2011

StoneHouse Ink

Boise ID 83713

http://www.stonehouseink.net

First eBook Edition: 2011

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Cover design by Fuji Aamabreorn

Published in the United States of America

STONEHOUSE INK

Table of Contents

Acclaim for Winds of Wyoming

Title Page

"Every Saint has a past ..."