Faith Ryan with the help of her siblings Abbie and Mason are working hard to keep their ranch going after the deaths of their parents. Life in Coyote Canyon is rather typical of life in the late 1800's. Ranch life is difficult when you consider all the obstacles to success including weather problems, economic worries, availability of trustworthy ranch hands and then let's not forget the unspoken concern over Indian raids and outlaws. But there is an important thread between the inhabitants of places like Coyote Canyon which is imperative for survival and civilization. Trent Marshall's life has been shaped by misfortune of a different kind. Pursuing revenge and justice for the brutal murder of his brother determined his path of a hired gun. He arrives in Coyote Canyon to receive his fee for the elimination of a violent gunman who had targeted stagecoaches. His intention to use the time for some rest and relaxation is cut short by Abbie's abduction by an Apache raiding party. When the initial search party comes up short the Ryan family decides to hire Trent to rescue their sister. Complications arise when Trent, who works solo, is instructed that Faith along with several hands will be coming along on the search. Trent quickly comes to realize that Faith is a distraction that is unwelcome at a time when his focus has to remain on finding Abbie and fast. Word is that women are being kidnapped and then sold into slavery. Even harsher is the reality that after captivity with the Apaches the women oft-times are better off dead then coming home to face what could be certain shame. Trent and his search party will move heaven and earth to make sure that doesn't happen to Abbie.

Bobbi Smith's HIRED GUN reminds us of a harsh time in the settlement of our country. Enemies abound and only the very lucky and resourceful survived. Settlers faced many hardships made even more difficult by their isolation. Justice was meted out when possible but often the criminals just disappeared to become someone else's problem. Men like Trent Marshall were revered for their tracking talents and yet feared for their gunmanship. It was a time when life predicated choices.