Incident at Copper Creek — Michael Senuta

United States Marshal Trace Hawthorne is assigned a difficult and harrowing task. He must escort a key witness across the state to testify against a ruthless land baron. Despite his knowledge of the land and his proficiency with a .45, he faces long odds. Amidst a background of treachery and betrayal, Hawthorne must contend with a small army of hired guns determined to stop him. Resorting to desperate measures in an effort to elude his pursuers and deliver his witness, Hawthorne decides to cross the desert. It is a decision not without doubt and regret, for the harshness and desolation of the land prove to be more formidable obstacles than those devised by men.

During his trek, Hawthorne encounters Lane Carter, a beautiful young woman who is directed by fate to accompany him. As Hawthorne struggles to complete his mission, he embarks on a path of self-realization, experiencing feelings for Lane that he has never felt before, and wrestles with the shadows of his past.