A childhood friend of US. Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens, Ava Crowder has had a hard life despite her young age and beauty. She is a sweet and determined woman, but very much caught in the abusive web of the Crowder family. Specifically, she was married to Bowman Crowder, but shot him after far too much physical and mental abuse. This act, though justified, doesn't wit well with the rest of the Crowder clan, including brother Boyd, a highly intelligent but nevertheless dangerous denizen of Harlan County.When Raylan returns to town, Ava admits she has always had something of a crush on him -- and a flirtation is launched. She appreciates being taken under Raylan's protection -- which, more and more, begins to extend beyond what's called for in his daily duties -- but is also fiercely resourceful herself. As Bowman discovered, Ava isn't afraid to push back when pushed too far. Far from a wallflower, she is smart, savvy and calculating.