Tyler Sinclair has lived too hard and long to be sentimental. But when he hears about the brave exploits of one Ethan Mandell, he just has to ride up to Sweetwater Pass and see for himself. Ethan Mandell could be Tyler's father, who left long before Tyler was born and may not even know he has a son. There is a strong family resemblance-a quick hand with a gun, and a respect for the law. The law doesn't get much respect up in Sweetwater though, with the Rollins and the Crocker freight companies at war with each other. U.S. deputy marshal Ethan Mandell, as the town's official tamer, plans to change all that, but rumor has it that Crocker's men are after him, too. Tyler doesn't know which side he's on until he is caught off guard by the stunning Celia Rollins, who recently lost her brother and her pa to Crocker bullets. Tyler teams up with Ethan, aiming to learn about his past, but the man isn't offering any information for free. As Sweetwater's new deputy sheriff, Tyler may have to pay a high price for his peace of mind.