Sam Jeffries' wife left him and then promptly up and died. Everyone believes he was to blame. Now, despite Ike Ramsey, who rules this part of western Colorado, Sam must save Ike's daughter-in-law from a hanging.
Sam, a grumpy ex-lawman, finds the fugitive Lorena and her mute son, Asa, in desperate need of help.
Lorena had married Ike's son, Hoag. As soon as he showed his true, brutal nature, she shot Hoag, took Asa, and ran. Sam knows that Ike and his harpy of a wife, Emma, won't stop until they've caught and punished Lorena. Sam is the only one who can protect them as they travel south to meet Lorena's family in Texas.
The three put in their lots with two old army scouts and a roguish gambler. As the group travels through the badlands, Sam will find out that he may have put his trust in the wrong people. As Ike, his vicious wife, sons, and hired guns dog them at every turn, Sam, Lorena, and Asa will all have to outwit and outrun their pursuers.