At midnight seventeen-year-old Cora Cassidy gallops away from her abusive foster family on a modern Oregon ranch to illegally catch mustangs. She aims to be a famous writer and trainer. Though the desert is breathtaking, its way is hard. Cora learns how to survive and meets helpful strangers. But she also tangles with mustang poachers, battles a would-be rapist and faces blowback for her stubborn pride. And why does that Indian cowboy keep showing up? When she’s injured, two crusty sisters out deer-hunting take her to recuperate at their ranch. She learns what a loving home is like—until her darkest secrets emerge. A last desert run with an unexpected ally can bring Cora prison, death…or redemption.