Kansas 1873: A depression grips the country. Rail lines stretching across the violent, ungoverned Indian Territory are targeted with shocking accuracy. Despite its early success, the Katy Railroad struggles to pay its workers, bankruptcy looms. But in the midst of all this unhappy news, it is an act of domestic violence that sets the town of Parsons ablaze with gossip and challenges Sheriff Frank Garrity to uncover the truth. When he does, it will shatter his notions about duty, justice…and love.

Everyone in town considers hotel owner Claire Daines a respectable, decent woman, until she shocks the entire town when she rushes into a saloon in her nightclothes to confess to an inebriated lawman: “Sheriff, I shot my husband.”

Is it an accident, as she claims? Or is it murder? When Claire flees town, Sheriff Frank Garrity follows, determined to unravel the widow’s subterfuge despite his soft spot for Claire. But the truth doesn’t produce justice. It only puts Frank in a more difficult position. He will have to betray her in order to protect her.

Claire doesn’t want Frank’s protection. She’s passionate in her devotion and driven by love. But when she takes the stand to confess, a surprising witness shows up, along with the train robber who has been sheltering him. Before Billy can testify, all hell breaks loose and a shot fells Claire.

The sheriff who has guarded his heart so persistently can no longer protect himself against another devastating loss.

Bestselling author E.E. Burke transports readers back in time to the wild and untamed era of steam railroads in this breathtaking historical romance that will keep you turning the pages to the very end.

National Readers’ Choice Awards finalist, 2016