Originally published in 1935.

Cole Sanborn had never killed anybody who didn't need killing. Sprawled idly in a chair on the porch of the Jonesboro House, he appeared to be half-asleep, but if you looked closely, you would notice his hawk-like eyes glancing swiftly up and down the deserted, dusty road. The air was tense. Something was going to happen soon. Behind his chair, tacked to the wall, was a poster announcing a $1500.00 reward for the capture of a desperate train robber, whose description fitted Cole to a T. Mary Landis was desperate. She had inherited the Lazy B Ranch from her uncle, but her guardian, Chet Radbourne, had plans for her and her ranch. If she didn't do something quick, she would find herself forced to marry the despicable man. Her only hope was to marry someone else first while she was in town -- someone who could stand up to Chet Radbourne and his gunhands. Cole Sanborn would be that man. Cole already had a target on his back, and with his marriage to Mary, that target just got bigger. Radbourne sees this as a minor annoyance. If he can't get the marriage annulled, he can always marry the widow.