Send a White Rose

Bartholomew Durant has gained a reputation as a problem-solver while serving as a Federal Judge in the New Mexico territory. When an assassin nearly kills him he is forced to confront the possibility of being helpless and in need of help, instead of always helping and serving others. Bartholomew struggles with rebellion toward God and pride that makes him attack and drive away his friends. Leah Masters came to be considered as a possible match for the popular Judge Durant. She made a poor first impression but quickly proved herself to everyone except Robert Markham, Bart's best friend and the territorial marshal seeking to bring the judge's attacker to justice.
Randall Masters, Leah's brother, incurs Robert's wrath and makes himself a prime suspect with incomprehensible threats and rages against the judge, making it more difficult for both of them to win Robert's trust and respect and realize that he just may need their help to protect Judge Durant. An ongoing conflict between the Roman Catholic Church and the territorial government may be linked to Bartholomew's attack and Padre Diego may not be finished trying to deprive Santa Fe of its best problem-solver.

from Chapter Two
Bartholomew struggled to move,
but his limbs did not seem to belong to him. The sun climbed higher. His injuries throbbed with dull insistence.
"Help!" he groaned. It was faint, barely recognizable as a word.
"What? Another dead man?" The words were Spanish; the voice that of a small child, curious and unafraid.
"Por favor, niño, ayúdame," he said thickly. "Go to the city and bring help. "
"Oh, no, I cannot bring anybody here. They will find the things I took and papa will beat me again. "
"I promise no one will harm you if you bring help. Please, I may die if you don't. "
"You talk an awful lot for a gringo muerto. I have things to do. "
Bartholomew caught sight of a half-wild rose climber in the chapel garden. White roses.
"You -- you know la Señorita Alethia at the Orphanage? I am sure ... she would give you a sweet … if you ... pick the prettiest white rose on that bush over there and take it to her."
"It is a good thing I have my burro, or I would not go. It is a long way. I will be back later, but I will not have any more time to waste on you, dead man. I hope you will be quiet, like the other one is. "
Bartholomew did not answer, and the footsteps shuffled away.