Kade Blackburn, a reporter from Payson, Arizona, gets arrested in Camp Verde during the Ft. Verde Days celebration for punching a law officer in Boler’s bar. When he is released, he is hired by Owen Watkins, a rancher in Camp Verde. Kade falls in love with Abigail Watkins, Owen’s daughter. They endure a few tumultuous relations due to Owen’s wife, Corrine Watkins, who is an artist and wants to draw Kade without his clothes on. Kade also has to contend with Officer White because he also wants to court Abigail. Kade finally marries Abigail and settles in to work for her...

Kade Blackburn, his wife, Abby, and his family (numbering four kids) move to Chino Valley after his graduation in Flagstaff. He is a reporter for the Prescott paper. When Kade sues the Prescott police chief over a beating, the chief kidnaps his family to try to get Kade to rescind the lawsuit. The chief fires at Kade on Prescott courthouse grounds when he refuses to rescind the lawsuit. Kade, wounded, breaks the neck of the chief and manages to rescue his family. The rest of the police close ranks around the chief and won’t let Kade in to interview any more prisoners who’ve...