Jim Hardie was asked by Curly Brown, a past shotgun messenger, to stop by for a visit as they are old friends and worked together in the past. As Jim nears Curly's ranch a shot rings out but Jim is unharmed. He arrives to learn that Curly is dead; found shot by someone but the reason is unknown. Etta is determined to run the ranch by herself but it is too much for a lone woman with three young children plus she has much to learn. Jim, determined to find the killer, decides to stay and help her. The neighbor Paul Bravender who has tried to help Etta is worried that Jim suspects him so he brings out Sheriff Welk the next day but there is no evidence to find. Jim decides to take the family into town for a holiday and to spread the word he is staying to help Etta. He finds people lined up to buy the Brown ranch as it is prime land with water. He has set himself up as a target and it works faster than he expected.
—Anonymous