Robin lives a hard, dried-out life in the desierto alto, New Mexico's high desert. But he also knows tenderness and love because of his traditional abuelos who raise him. And because of Cristina, a girl from the Laguna Pueblo who insists she will be a scientist. But just as Robin and Cristina start new lives far from home, they're ripped apart. Robin is arrested and sentenced to federal prison because he's fallen into one of his twin brother's schemes. And because someone has died. Now, seven years into Robin's prison sentence, someone is secretly trying to free Robin. Someone is working in the judge's chambers, risking everything for Robin and Cristina, even as the prosecutor and the judge become increasingly suspicious. All because once, in the desierto alto, Robin and Cristina saved this friend first.