Fifteen years earlier, on Wyoming's Chalk River in 1875, Thomas Trafford arrives to establish his cattle ranch, along with his accountant and aide, David Melmont. But events take a sour turn when Melmont becomes involved in a horrific crime, which ultimately has an immense impact on the lives of both Eli and Cornelia.

As Eli aims to make penance for his actions 15 years ago, Trafford desperately tries to feed his herd with an immense hayrick, Marshall continues to deal with the fallout of Flynn's death and a fresh attack on Trafford's cattle, and Cornelia has a run-in with the businesswoman Black-Eyed Mog.