Chronologically, this story takes place between “Rituals of the Season” and “Winter’s Child.” Marilyn Wallace, writing as Maggie Bruce, asked if I would contribute a story that featured some sort of craft for her anthology “Murder Most Crafty.” I thought perhaps Deborah could manage a grapevine wreath with a little help from her new sisters-in-law. The story itself was inspired by a real New Year’s Eve bonfire here on the farm when a cousin tried to burn some overly wet wood. I was tickled when my brother said, “Never saw gasoline so wet it wouldn’t burn,” and knew I’d use that sentence in a story sometime. They really did try to chase some lovers out of that lane and yes, they really did get mired down to the axle.