Doc West

A roaming physician with a haunted past who uses medicine and wits to help Holysand. He treats Silver's arm and tends to the sick, while wrestling with guilt over a patient he killed while drunk. He vows never to drink or wield a scalpel again, seeking redemption through acts of mercy and quiet courage.

The town sheriff who upholds order amid feuds and criminal schemes. He earns respect by solving problems and by a practical, no-nonsense approach to justice. He also connects personal pain with resilience, as his back pain becomes a clue to the boots that haunt him.

A compassionate schoolteacher who anchors the community and cares for the sick. She aids West's sobriety and medical efforts, and their growing closeness culminates in a shared moment of affection. Her empathy helps heal fractures in Holysand's social fabric.

A hot-headed rancher torn by rivalry with Victor Baker and protective of his daughter Millie. His feud with Victor drives much of Holysand's turmoil, complicating friendships and family alliances. He embodies the stubborn, prideful core of frontier feud culture.

A brave, impressionable boy who is saved by West when a rattlesnake startles his horse. He is the catalyst for West's involvement in Holysand and becomes a link between Millie, Burt, and Jack as they form bonds. His loyalty to West grows as he learns to trust the doctor.

Nathan's daughter who rekindles old friendships with Burt and Jack and forms a budding romance. Her presence complicates loyalties and helps soften the town's feuds through youthful optimism. She represents the next generation seeking peace.

The scheming ranch hand who manipulates events, steals money, and sabotages others to fuel the feud. He hides a gun and pushes the town toward violence until his final confrontation with West reveals his true nature. He embodies greed and treachery.

Nathan's rival who inflames tensions over land and crops. His actions—burning a barn, cursing the peace, and challenging West—heighten the town's danger. He embodies the ruthless, opportunistic side of frontier arrogance.

The girl to whom West sends monthly money from Santa Fe; her mother’s death at West's hands haunts him and motivates his careful approach to surgery. West's ongoing concern for Estrella anchors his moral arc as the story closes with new calls for help.