But when he sees the young son of his employer tricked into a gunfight with a professional gunman, he breaks the promise he made to himself to never use his guns again. A unique gem in a world that has seen unprecedented change, this poet, novelist, fiddler, noted folk artist and hoe-down square dance caller, still holds true to the strong values of an era long past. His mettle is tested as he fights for his new homeland and discovers that a romance that began as real-life chess grows into...

The damage worsened several years ago, and she was on dialysis for 3 1/2 years before having a transplant in October of 2005. She continued working while she was on dialysis, having to take two afternoons off each week. She hasn't specifically talked about it with her current students, but she knows some are aware of it. During her childhood, she developed a strep throat and the bacteria damaged her kidneys. She taught the third grade for many years, but one year she taught the sixth grade...