Sue-Ellen Grayson travels by stagecoach to Fort Clark, Texas, to console Major Ethan Hartley, because her sister, Cassandra, jilted him. Her trip is fraught with danger, and she arrives penniless, without even a ticket to return home. She gets a job waitressing at the Brackettville Café.
At first, Ethan can’t stand the sight of Sue-Ellen. In looks, she reminds him of his lost love. Gradually, though, he begins to see her for the fine woman she is and to care about her. But will he realize that Sue Ellen is the one he loves, the one who has the makings of a career officer’s wife?