"Rand Stewart returned to Silver River after receiving word his father had died an accidental death, leaving him the Diamond S. The four years he had served in the Army had brought him a captaincy, given him a tough resilient body, and taught him how to handle dangerous situations. Now he just longed to settle down on his Idaho ranch and find the truth about his father's death -- which many were saying was no accident. No sooner had Rand stepped off the stage in Silver River than he was confronted by Sid Porter and two helpers. Rand made short work of them, but knew Sid would not let this public humiliation go unanswered. Sid was the meanest bully and the most treacherous killer in Silver River Valley and the foreman for C Bar Ranch, which lay opposite the Diamond S and was owned by Jess Carlin. Jess was a lifelong friend of Rand's, but there were things about Jess that concerned Rand. Why had he returned and started buying up all the land he had sold before Rand left for the Army? Why would he have a man like Sid Porter as his foreman? And why were people saying Jess might be responsible for the death of Rand's father? Suddenly, the dream of a peaceful and quiet ranch life evaporated. Rand is branded as a rustler and Jess's hay is burned. Caught in the crossfire of a range war and standing squarely in the path of a land-greedy killer, Rand is forced to fight not only for his own life and ranch but for the freedom of Silver River Valley."-- Provided by publisher.