In this continuing story that began with Chess Cates becoming an "Accidental Outlaw", the good sheriff has turned over his badge to his cousin, Clayton Purdue.  Chess, Kate, and his two children, Connor and Tara, are heading for the green isle of Ireland.  However, the trip to Ireland isn't all that is expected and brings a great deal of sorrow to them instead of joy.  Kate discovers astonishing things about her deceased first husband, Connor Riley O'Keefe, that all but kills the love she had for him.  Chess gets talked into helping out Connor's cousin, Burton Adair, and solve a 25-year old mystery, before any one else  is murdered because of it.

In the meantime, back in Green River, Sheriff Purdue suffers his own tragedy that ultimately leads him to near disaster involving his brother, Deputy Otis.  A former plantation owner's son arrives with a surprise in store for Udessa Markle, claiming to be her daughter's father. Has Turner Bayless truly turned a new leaf over...or is he still as loathesome as he ever was?  Soon, Otis, Clay, and several former slaves turn up missing...and nobody has a clue as to where they've gone.

When Chess and his family return from Ireland, he has no choice but to pin back on that tin sheriff's badge, buckle on that gunbelt, and find a way to get back to Green River during the wintertime.  He bravely faces nearly impossible obstacles, but meets them head on to save his family and friends.