A friendship germinates between two unlikely men on a quiet road in New Mexico. When Jack Collins invites Cameron Yellow Fox Arnfinn, tagged as Timco, to ride in his truck-along with a stray pooch they've dubbed Midnight-they can't predict what the future holds. Timco, following a hitch as a Code Talker with the Marines in World War II, has been traveling extensively, homing in on a return to the reservation. Half Navajo Indian, he's a man of many contradictions and numerous talents. Jack, an enigma, mourns the loss of his wife as he journeys the country. The two take refuge in the small New Mexico community of Estancia al Cabo.
Timco and Jack endear themselves to this community and join the archaeological efforts of Doc who has been assigned to excavate a long-lost pueblo. Timco is delegated as the intermediary between the hired indigenous Navajo people and the whites.
When winter closes down the digs, he remains at the ranch. After all, the ghosts that linger in the ancient pueblo surely are his ancient relatives. He's imbued with a sense of dedication to the task.