“I read the first two chapters of One Step Over The Border in my “Easy Bake Oven” (better known as my car) on the side of the highway outside of Wells, Nevada , while waiting patiently for a two truck to help me with my exploded tire. This was Day 2 of 3 days of adventures on my way from Montana to California . Now the insurance gal had the audacity to ask me if I was in a safe place. I assured her I was fine as long as no serial killers decided to stop by for a visit or no one veered off the road in my direction, but I also assured her I had Stephen Bly's new book so all was not lost!” Connie Sue

Dear Mr. Hap,

This past March our family went to visit Williamsburg.  Being a part of a large group we were offered a special discounted gift certificate at a small out of the way Mexican restaurant. (I cannot recall the name but can find it if you think we have located your missing girl. There are very few Mexican restaurants in Virginia.)  It was your average Mexican restaurant, sombreros on the walls, a neon green light shaped like a Tequila bottle in the window and several large screens TV's showing a Mexican soccer team brutally beating the French. The food was plentiful and spicy to the extreme (something that my brother and his buddy thoroughly enjoyed!) but it was the woman at the cash register that caught my eye. She stood behind the scratched up counter scribbling on a coffee stained travel brochure. Her long hair fell over her shoulders and spilled onto the countertop and I noticed that whenever the bell above the door rang, she would raise her big dark eyes with a hint of a smile only to lower them in disappointment. When I went to pay our bill, she broke into a radiant smile and began speaking to me in fluent Spanish. She must have thought I looked Hispanic but, since I have quite a limited Spanish vocabulary, she soon saw her mistake. With a dejected shrug of her thin shoulders she took my card and completed the transaction, thanking me for my business and hoping that I would come back again in broken English.

I do not know why she made such a lasting impression in my mind, I suppose that something about her reminded me of a lost and lonely little girl, nor can I explain what your Juanita would be doing so far from home but she certainly seemed to be expecting someone- you, perhaps- to walk in at any moment. Unfortunately, I cannot be sure about the very distinctive mole you mention in your description, since her hair was loose and covered her neck. She was wearing a rather unique ring though. It was silver with two running horses etched in the band and a small turquoise stone in the center.
Sincerely,
Christina, Grants Pass,Oregon

Hap,
My co-workers and I would like you to send us one of you free finding my Juanita kits. We found one of your stickers in our bathrooms here at the motel where we work.
Front desk gals, Winnemucca, Nevada

Hap
We have a Juanita Fishback in our small town. Do you suppose she is the Juanita you are looking for???? HA
Mikie, Kahoka, Missouri

Hap,
I would like to find out more about your Juanita. I know a couple ladies down in the Hatch Valley, New Mexico. Not only can you see the rambling Rio Grande from the valley, Hatch is the chili capital of the world. Your long haired beauty could well be living just down
from my Grandpappies and let me tell you, the Juanita's around here have a lot of fire and spice.
A.K., Redmond, Oregon

Hap,
Okay, so maybe in Youngstown, Ohio the chances of finding your Juanita are slim, but you never know.  Just today I heard a lady at the YMCA step machine say the last time her muscles ached that much she was learning to ride a horse as a young girl out west. So in case Juanita went from ranch life to literal steel country, count me in.  Best wishes to you.
Julie, Boardman, Ohio

Matamoros, Mexico
Yo, Hap! You need to check out this cantina. It's called La Luz de La Luna.There is a Juanita here that will knock your socks off. I ain't kiddin'. She's unforgettable. You get down this way, you have to take a look. Tell Laramie howdy. I drawed good in San Angelo, so I reckon I'll be payin' back that loan in the next couple of weeks.
Cody - Loredo, Texas

Mr. Bowman,
While I was in Maria's Hair Apparent getting my nails done last Tuesday, I heard all about your quest to find a lost sweetheart. Oh, such a romantic story. I've enclosed a picture of my daughter. I realize she doesn't exactly fit the description of your Juanita, (the picture is blurry, she's thinner than it looks). Stacy is a very sensitive and thoughtful daughter. She's 29, never been married. In fact, she hardly ever dates (but heaven knows I've tried.) I suppose we've raised her too well, she just doesn't seem to want to leave mom and dad. If you'd stop by while you're in the area, I'll make sure she is up and about. (She works nights at the animal shelter.)
Thank you very much, and I look forward to meeting you myself.
Barbara McAllen - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hap (your name is awesome!)
I think you looking for a lost girlfriend is like, so totally cool! WOW! I wish a boyfriend would look for me. Not Trevor, of course. But I mean someone nice like you. Listen, I had an idea . . . I know a lot of girls in New Mexico who live along the Rio Grande and I could help you look. My name's not Juanita, and I'm a blonde but . . . I look much, much older than 16. (You know what I mean?) I have a birthmark . . . sort of in the shape of butterfly (if you squint your eyes.) It's on my shoulder and some guys think it's like a tattoo, but it isn't . . . honestly.
Anyway, my parents are like, lost in space and I need a break from all their pickin rules. So, if you come to town we could meet at Bret's Burger Barn (the curly fries are incredible!) and like, if it worked out, I could go with you to find Juanita. I'll have my stuff with me.
I can hardly wait.
Terri Johnston (all my friends call me TJ) - El Paso, Texas

Bowman, that's the most pathetic story I ever heard. Get a life!
Stu Reynolds - Alpine, Texas

Hap Bowman,
I was in Wyoming in 1988. I'm 31. I used to live along the Rio Grande, near Del Rio. I'm the circulation manager for the newspaper. I have a mole under my right ear. So, everyone in the office said I should write to you. But to tell you the truth, I don't remember meeting you at all. I'm not even sure I want to meet you now. One lousy relationship in a lifetime is sufficient for me.
Juanita Gomez Hillman