With his family in turmoil and fence-cutters destroying his farm, thirteen-year-old Jesse faces more than the stifling drought of 1883. Dwindling water supplies have driven desperate cattlemen to snip fences in order to water their herds—targeting Jesse’s farm several times. When a lone drifter arrives in town, he’s quickly hired to work the farm. It should be a relief to have the extra help, but Jesse suspects the man is more than just a hired hand and is determined to uncover his mysterious secret. The novel includes an author’s note and bibliography.