Intelligent, educated, and religious, Lavinia Jefferson approaches her thirtieth birthday feeling unfulfilled and frustrated. When her pastor encourages her to put her feelings on paper, the result of her writing finds its way into the hands of a twice-widowed rancher, John Barkley Dawson, in a far-off and unsettled part of the country.

Lavinia leaves her secure and civilized life to experience love and adventure with J. B. in the daily challenges of marriage and motherhood. She learns firsthand about the vagaries of weather, hard work, outlaws (and in-laws), Indians, good friends, and bad...