Encounter by Jane Yolen

Encounter by Jane Yolen

Teo Haroun and the other lawyers in his firm look forward (in varying degrees) to the retreat at the Sherman Ranch in northern New Mexico. The boss has laid down some rules: no phones, no computers, no communication with the outside world. That makes them uneasy, but the corporate team-building exercises are necessary for his firm to survive its inner sniping and turmoil.and to protect the secrets they hold.

Inez Suela and 30 other Mexicans have paid a coyote hundreds of pesos to take them across the border into the United States where they hope to make a better life. The crowded truck heads north into New Mexico to meet their local driver, the occupants unaware that a freak March snowstorm is waiting in its path.

Jake Patrin, the caretaker of the ranch fights demons of his own as he struggles daily with addiction. Working far from the city on the lonely ranch where he hosts those who rent the facility is his protection and solace. But he's about to lose the only peace he's been able to grasp.

Davi Pilar, eager to make some fast money and appease a couple loan sharks, agrees to pick up a truckload of St. Louis-bound illegals. He drives to New Mexico unaware that the woman who rejected him years ago is one of the poor souls on the truck.

The intersection of these people, the collision of their cultures, the revelation of their secrets. All of these things lead to violence, death, and even redemption in their New Mexico encounter.

SALLY LLOYD-JONES is the author of How to Be a Baby and other publications.