The last thing sheltered missionary Evelyn Gibbons wants upon arriving at the South Dakota reservation is to fall in love. Yet, from the moment she clashes with Black Hawk, the complicated man of the Sioux, she knows he’s everything she could ever want, and everything she can never have. Living in the hills with his young son, Black Hawk reveres the ways of his people and is determined to preserve Sioux traditions.

In this inspiring and deeply moving story of love, courage and endurance, a young woman on the run from the law sets off on a desperate journey of survival on the treacherous Oregon Trail. Terrified she’s wanted for the murder of her landlord, Grace is certain that, even though she acted in self-defense, no one will believe her. Quickly packing the few belongings she and her little brother Tom possess, they race to join the line of dusty wagons preparing to leave for Oregon.

Outrider Noah Ericson isn't Mercy Atkins' idea of a hotel guest, but the bank pays cash—a week in advance—for their stagecoach shotgun. She worries about how long she can get away with not replacing the hotel's battered roof and she never turns away a paying guest—even if he holsters a loaded weapon. Mercy's husband Haman disappeared, and she hides a shameful secret, running a decent boarding house while caring for her young son and elderly father. Haman's vicious brother Jehu circles like a vulture, determined to lay claim to Haman's stake.

Bear Claw is the respected great chief of the Apache nation. He vows to protect his people from harm at the hands of the white devil. Having witnessed the devastation of the Chiricahua clan, he swears to save his people from suffering the same fate. However, Bear Claw's sleep is troubled by visions of a beautiful white woman. He fears his life is about to take a drastic turn. The spirit world must be sending him a sign. He hopes that whatever is about to occur will not bring death and destruction to his beloved people.

Sterling Thayer's plan is ingenious. On Christmas Eve, he arranges to meet his twin brother. He plies him with drink, takes him captive, and assumes his identity. The uniform fits perfectly—no one has ever been able to tell them apart. From then on, he is Captain Grayson Thayer, tried-and-true Tory in the King's army. Sterling's scheme to infiltrate the high ranks of English officers is daring and dangerous, but more dangerous to him still is auburn-haired Reagan Llewellyn.