While some recognized their duty and went to fight in the war between the North and South, others intended to make a profit by staying behind. As fifteen-year-old Amy grabbed Lance's sleeve she knew she was heading off a fight between him and four of the Keating boys. That night after the dance, Lance would be heading south to fight in the war for the Union Army, Amy figured he didn't need to start off fighting with four of the no-account Keating bunch. She had secretly loved Lance for some time. He knew he was going off to war and realized he may never make it back. Before he rode out, she blurted out her love for him. Lance recalled what his mother had taught them both; love happens when there is honesty and trust. He spoke of no promises for the future; he had no illusions, he was going to fight in a war, he may never return. While Lance is fighting a war with confederates and renegade Indians in the Territory of New Mexico, another battle is waging back home with those taking advantage of a weakened community. Lance becomes battle-tested and finds love in Maria, daughter at the Valesquez hacienda. With the war coming to an end, Lance begins to realize the lack of trust or honesty he has with Maria. He decides to make the long trek home to Wyoming and upon his arrival finds that his battles are not yet over. The small town he calls home is not the same as he left it. Along with the few good folks left in Buford, Lance will attempt to set things right and find the trust and honesty he has been seeking all along.