Joshua Hamilton was a young man in search of a new beginning and a better life. In 1879 he rode into Tascosa chasing his dream of wealth and love. In the vast horizons of the Texas Panhandle he encounters a cast of characters who impact his quest, such as the crass and sly Michael O'Rourke who owned the town's cafe, Doc Maddox who patched him up after he attempted to stop a horse thief, and Will the devil-may-care youngster rumored to be a killer. In his journey Josh's heart is captured by the beauty and innocence of Lottie, a prostitute whose soul has been scarred by the cruelties of her past. In this harsh land what will the future hold for a man seeking love and fortune? What sinister obstacles hide in the scrub prairie to thwart his efforts? Would his fate be found in love, riches, or in a single bullet?