John Ryre was once a Texas lawman, a tough one. But, the harsh land brought about an early death to his wife, Elana, and while kneeling beside her grave, he made some promises to God. One promise was that he would not kill any more.
But, that's a tough promise to keep in a wild place like Texas. So, he decides to leave Texas and settle in a more peaceful environment, a place where he'd never have to kill again.
On the way out of Texas, he's jumped by two hardened gunmen and some men who rode with them. They sewed him into a cowhide and left him to die in the blistering heat with the promise that the hide would eventually hug him "tighter than your mama ever hugged you."
But, these men would learn they chose the wrong man to hurt. And, when they learned who he was, they remembered the stories of the White River gunman who it was told around campfires, could not be killed.
They'd have their chance to find out.
