In 1878, Kansas Red-a mysterious gunman, bounty hunter, and sometimes lawman-learns a young hot-head named Billy is looking for him. Kansas soon finds himself saving the boy from angry gamblers. The gunfight leaves both Kansas and Billy wounded.

Billy shows Kansas a dime novel with the gunman's face on it, and says his father, Sam Cassidy, sent him to find Kansas and convince him to come to the ranch to help. The dreaded outlaw Thorn Larson is on the loose and out for the kill. But by the time Kansas and Billy reach the Cassidy Ranch, they're too late. The men are dead, and three women-including Billy's mother, Carol-have been taken.

Forming a makeshift posse, Kansas, Billy, and Finnegan-a Black rancher who brings his pint-size attack dog, Bonnie, to sniff out the trail-track Larson and company over formidable mountain ranges. During the chase, Leslie, a beautiful Texas sharpshooter, escapes the outlaws with the help of the gang's Ute Indian guide, Charlie, and is found injured but recovers to join the posse. Almost immediately, sparks fly between Kansas and Leslie.

While trailing Larson, the posse saves a young federal marshal from hanging, and he joins them as they catch up with the outlaws. What follows is a wild gun battle with Larson and his gang that not only reveals hidden treasure but long-held family secrets.

The story is also a motion picture! The Desperate Riders, written by Lee Martin, produced and directed by Michael Feifer. Stars include Drew Waters, Trace Adkins, Tom Berenger, Vanessa Evigan, Sam Ashby, Victoria Pratt, Cowboy Troy, Rob Mayes, Brock O'Hurn and Peter Sherayko.