Joe Bratt grew up like an unbroken mustang, and trouble has never bothered to move out of his way. He has had to claw and scratch through a life of hard knocks and daily struggles. Fortunately, these trials have taught him three things: fight when you must, never sit down to a fixed game of chance, and never, ever, get involved with a good woman. Joe holds true to his three rules until he meets up with Raylene Stanfield, a judge's well-educated daughter from the East. Joe has never met a more headstrong woman in his life, but he owes the lady, and he always pays his debts. Although running from the law and a hired killer, Joe takes on the chore of becoming the town judge--a job about which he knows practically nothing As usual, trouble is ready and waiting for Joe in Gold Butte. It's a town ruled by greed and power, with a sheriff who is more concerned with collecting taxes than making Gold Butte a safe place to live. Genuine judge or not, Joe determines to do what is right. . .even if it means taking on a passel of gunmen and maybe getting killed in the process