The story begins when a tall lanky stranger named Jake Slade travels north on horseback from the small border town of Millwood Texas where he'd been working as a deputy sheriff. Jake, now a lonely widower after losing his wife to an unfortunate illness. Seeking a new start in life, he accepted a position as sheriff in Grisom Texas. Grisom is located in the badlands of west Texas about a four-day ride from his former home in Millwood. But unlike Millwood, the town of Grisom was nothing but pure trouble.
A once quiet sleepy town now overrun with outlaws and gunfighters. Jake was the replacement for the former Sheriff named Wilbur Hayes. Hayes had been ruthlessly murdered by one or more persons still believed to be residing in Grisom. The townsfolk were scared for their own safety and well-being. Slade will hunt down the ones responsible for killing the sheriff and bring his killer or killers to justice and in doing so also return the town of Grisom to a decent law abiding community.
Upon his arrival in the community, he would find a café that was still open for business. Jake entered the café seeking some much needed nourishment and rest. What he finds is the café's owner and waitress Sarah McCullough. She's an attractive, single 27-old year woman, who'd never been married. She becomes what Jake had never dreamed possible. The second love of his life. He finds in her the inspiration, caring and motivation he needs to clean up this town.