Nathan Crutcher sat straight in the saddle and took care of dangerous government business.  His current assignment was moving experimental weapons to the Rangers and western outposts.  When a couple of banks asked him to transport a load of currency, he took that mission on as well.  Figured he was headed in that direction anyhow.  One thing he still wasn't sure about was why he'd volunteered to shepherd six females and one obstinate woman headed in the same direction. They might end up being the death of him and Rebecca was pushing him to his limits.  Ones he'd set for himself and didn't intend to break. 

 Rebecca Hutchison, twenty-two and widowed, felt responsible for her Ma and sisters.  She'd do whatever was needed to keep them safe and headed West.  Even pretending to be married to get them on the wagon train if she had to.  She just hadn't counted on Nathen being the man who'd share the Conestoga with her.  From his black Stetson to his tooled black boots, she wanted nothing to do with him or his business.  So why had she placed a red-hawk feather in his hatband and spied on him in the saloon? Why had she lied for him?  Stood up for him to dangerous men? Maybe she'd figure that out if they all stayed alive long enough.