Sara has always dreamed of escaping Missouri and the hard homesteader's life that her parents have known, but now the luxury of dreaming was over. She has to leave or risk losing the respect of her parents and becoming the center of cruel gossip. Jake, her beau, had promised he would promptly send for her, but three months has come and gone, and Sara has not even received a note confirming his safe arrival in California. If only her dreams of leaving such a harsh life hadn't blinded her from seeing Jake as he really was. Now, waiting in the rain for the wagon train, she puts on her best smile as she makes up her mind to make the best life she can with Jake. Little does she know that her well-laid plans are about to take an unexpected turn when the ruggedly handsome wagon master, Pete McCain, takes off his wide-brimmed hat and smiles