Widowed, pregnant, and penniless, Marilee returns home to Cross Roads, New Mexico, only to find that her father has been dead for six months and that her mother hasn't been sober since. But Marilee's determined to make a good life for herself and her baby. Her first order of business: fix up the family's Wayside 66 Motor Court, now rundown and overrun by outlaws. It's dangerous with bootlegger Jeb Pierce around; he'd taken charge of the place and wants nothing to change. When his actions become frightening, Marilee finds an unexpected ally in another resident. Hank Sloan was a hell raiser for years but is now making something of himself. Together he and Marilee will face danger in the fight for their newfound dreams.