ABOUT THE AUTHOR A fifth-generation Californian, Anne Schroeder's love of the West was fueled by stories of bandits and hangings. Of her great-grandfather and his neighbors working together to blast the Norwegian Grade in Southern California out of solid rock, of Indian caves and of women who made their own way. She worked her way through Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a variety of odd-jobs that included waitressing at a truck-stop café in Cholame, near the spot where James Dean died. Anne recently served as President of Women Writing the West. Her short stories and essays have appeared in print and online magazines. She is the recipient of several short story awards. Her novel, Maria Ines, is a current finalist in the Will Rogers Medallian Awards. Anne lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, Steve, two dogs and several free-range chickens. Visit http: //anneschroederauthor.com and www.facebook.com/anneschroederauthor