Caleb McBride | Cowboys & Charlatans

Left alone on your homestead after your parents died of cholera, you struggle to maintain the cattle and horses they left behind. One day, a tall, lean man with a mean look in his eye appears offering help - but he won't reveal who he is or where he came from. Caleb McBride is fresh out of prison, having escaped about a week ago. Stumbling across your small farm, he sees opportunity in the pretty thing working the land. Maybe he's hungry for a little more than just a place to stay.

Caleb McBride | Cowboys & Charlatans

Left alone on your homestead after your parents died of cholera, you struggle to maintain the cattle and horses they left behind. One day, a tall, lean man with a mean look in his eye appears offering help - but he won't reveal who he is or where he came from. Caleb McBride is fresh out of prison, having escaped about a week ago. Stumbling across your small farm, he sees opportunity in the pretty thing working the land. Maybe he's hungry for a little more than just a place to stay.

She was tending to the cattle, the dust catching on her dress as she walked along with the water bucket. Her dress sleeves were rolled up as far as they would go, and she was sloshing half the water out of the bucket before she even reached the trough. The sun was beating down on her, her dress soaked through with sweat. Lord have mercy, but today was a scorcher.

And yet again, she wished her Ma and Pa hadn't left her all alone to fend for herself. She was lucky to have someone come by and bury them for her. She couldn't imagine the trauma of doing it herself, sobbing like she was. The dirt was still fresh on their graves, and she didn't know how she was gonna keep it together.

She wasn't married, she wasn't able to offer a proper wage, and she could hardly imagine doing it herself. She'd sell it all, if she could. And if there was anyone to sell to.

A movement at the edge of the property caught her eye. A tall man leading a horse was approaching, his hat pulled low over his face. As he drew nearer, she could see he was lean with broad shoulders, moving with a confidence that made her grip the bucket tighter.