A Novel set in 1880s Texas

Dudford Washburn can see nothing but misery in his future. Deserted by an unhappy wife, he's given up on decent women. His uncle Ponder is going senile; his cowhands are arthritic, and he's worried his nephews are going to turn into two old grouchy bachelors just like himself and Ponder. Even his beloved dog is viewed by others as either a big pest or fodder for the next barbeque. But then Dud finds a treasure map, and everything changes.

 Dudford Washburn

Dud didn't take the treasure map too seriously until a mysterious accident made him reexamine all the possibilities.

 Ponder Washburn

Ponder thought the treasure hunt nothing more than Dud's excuse to wallow foolishly in the arms of prostitutes.

 Boyd Callahan

Straight-talking Boyd agreed with his uncle on almost everything, except when it came to women.

 Jesse Callahan

Jesse's quiet demeanor hid a propensity for elaborate and witty practical jokes, even when it involved his uncle.

 Ev Reid

Ev's shady reputation caused alarm, but Dud refused to act because Ev had once been friends with his brothers.

 Mary Powell

Once the belle of San Antonio, Mary paid little attention to Dud back then, but now she wants him - badly.

 Iris Talbot

A sweet young woman, Iris had many talents - one of them totally unexpected.

 Lon Talbot

Lon had the kind of looks women swooned over, but he knew nothing of ranching and took his frustrations out on his wife.

 Benjamin

A cowboy of mixed blood, Benjamin detested Lon and believed a man should beat his wife to make her happy, not to make her sad.

 Ugor & Zizi Darst

Ugor respected Dud, valuing his friendship, but Zizi was more in awe of Ponder.

 The Darst Boys

Franz "Frank" felt the responsibilities of the oldest son intensely.

Miklos "Mike" hero-worshipped Boyd and Jesse, but loved Ponder.

Dud thought of Kristof "Kit" as his shadow and much more important than buried treasure.

Babied by his mother, Gaspar "Gabby" nevertheless did his best for his family - and for Dud.

 Felix O'Brien

As justice of the peace and unofficial mayor of Tie Town, Felix had a lot explaining to do when Dud demanded to know why he stuck to him like hair on a hide.

 Elizabeth Harrison

A beauty inundated with suitors - Boyd's standoffishness succeeded in driving Elizabeth to distraction. Playing hard-to-get had been Jesse's suggestion.

 Annabelle Harrison

A luscious eighteen-year-old with the mind of a little girl, Annabelle became much more important in the treasure hunt than Dud at first thought possible.

 Seth Thompson

The very worst type of nouveau riche rancher, Seth Thompson got as close to the line as possible to win - but he crossed it with Dud one too many times.

 Thompson's Cowhand

Thompson's tight-lipped cowhand silently desired Iris, but Dud questioned why he worked for such an asshole.

 Lottie

Dud once did Lottie, the greedy owner of the Gilded Lily Saloon, a favor he would have preferred to forget.

 Johnny

As Lottie's much younger paramour, Johnny was abusive and a bad gambler, but he did what he was told.

 Suzette

Suzette, the tantalizing and mysterious can-can dancer at The Gilded Lily Saloon, had a reputation in her private life as an iceberg, but Dud believed otherwise.

 Rashtah

Suzette's maid and only friend, Rashtah hated Lottie but used her for all she could get.