Celia Landrey is guiding her last walking-tour of the season in historic Pass Creek. Myriad tasks await her attention, such as planning her wedding to handsome cowboy real estate agent, Jake Flagg. Discovery of Smoke Allenby's bones wasn't on the agenda. But there they are, turned up in the removal project of an old underground fuel tank at Jolly Hoffman's service station. A situation Celia, town leader, can hardly ignore.

Before he abruptly disappeared 60 years previously, half the town was in love with the charismatic drifter named Smoke Allenby. Older folks in the community knew the charming lothario back then, but when it comes out that Allenby was murdered, they're not talking. What secrets do they hide? Are they protecting one of their own?

There are threats against Celia for her investigation, but she's determined to separate the innocent from the guilty - halt an eruption of serious trouble. She just wishes she knew whose skin she's trying to save.