In the open grasslands of the American West, travelers often see the Western Meadowlark perched on weathered fence posts sharing its song with anyone who stops to listen. Whenever I am out riding or doing chores around the barn and I hear the Meadowlark’s flute-like melody, I stop for a moment to admire the bird. A medium-sized, yellow-breasted bird with white flanks streaked in black, Meadowlarks are the state birds in six western states. For me, they are part of being out in the open spaces of the West. They are the musical background and as constant as the sound of the wind through the grass.
My love of this bird inspired me to create the fictional town of Meadowlark, Colorado, in a cozy mystery novel I am writing. Most of the story takes place nearby at Aspen Grove Ranch, a horse boarding barn and working ranch located just east of Colorado’s Front Range foothills. Recently widowed Lacey Hendricks is Aspen Grove’s barn manager and lives on site in a refurbished historic log cabin with her young daughter, Bettina, and their Australian Shepherd, Wyatt.
On an icy February day, someone in Lacey’s close circle is killed. Suspicion falls on her and her long-time friend, Aponi Jeffries. Lacey rushes to find the killer before she and Aponi are arrested. With the help of clue-finding Wyatt and her ex-rodeo cowgirl great aunt, Lizzie, Lacey follows the killer’s trail. Will she find them before they strike again? Or will Lacey be their next victim?
The story features life on a working cattle ranch and immerses readers in the daily work of managing a horse boarding barn. There are winter storms, melting chinook winds, and sunsets that turn the foothills all shades of purple and gray.
Please visit my blog again for updates on this work in progress. Thanks for reading!
