It's 1860 on the American frontier. Talk of a civil war is brewing, and the Pony Express is born. Fifteen-year-old Beatrice Brannon, a peacekeeper and rule-follower, faces losing her family's most prized possessions: their land and their hard-won respect. She vows to save both, but earning fast money is nearly impossible for a girl in those parts. Bea's friend, Charlie Rye, has carved out a hardscrabble existence, surviving by his own rules until his father drains Charlie's reputation down to the dregs. He's desperate for a lifeline. When the Pony Express comes to town recruiting riders, Bea and Charlie consider it fate, but they'll need to break their familiar rules. Both in disguise, they venture out into a world filled with injustice and corruption. Even folks they'd trusted are playing crooked games. They'll need to keep hidden to stay ahead. But after some missteps, Bea and Charlie fall into the traps set by their enemies. It's going to take more than belief in nice principles to save their lives and everything they hold dear. It's going to take drastic action and a heart of grit.