In Jane Iwan's compelling novel, Martin's journey through the American West reveals a tale of resilience and ambition. From a young age, Martin dreamt of becoming a lawyer, but life had other plans. Forced to work on his family's farm, he is later robbed in Chicago after selling the family's cattle.

With no money and a dangerous brother waiting at home, Martin climbs into a westbound boxcar, where he meets James, a man heading to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The two form an unbreakable bond, and while Martin works as a cowboy on Doc Matheson's ranch, his true passion remains law. He spends sleepless nights studying, determined to pursue his dream, but jealousy brews, and after barely surviving an attempt on his life, Martin flees to the Black Hills, where he befriends White Wolf, a Lakota Native.

As Martin's journey unfolds, he must balance his pursuit of justice with the turbulent challenges of the West. Set against the backdrop of the growing cattle industry and the encroachment on Native lands, Martin's story intertwines with those he meets along the way, testing his resolve and reshaping the course of his life in unexpected ways.