Amid the aftermath of the Civil War, Georgie O'Rourke, the last surviving member of her family, decides her only choice is to leave her beloved state of Tennessee by answering a mail-order bride advertisement. With only a few items of rag, like clothing, she travels the Southwest Trail by covered wagon to meet up with her groom in Texas. Captain Parker Eastman, formally of the Confederate Army, travels from his cattle ranch to the Southwest Trail to intercept a woman his mother hired as a companion. He soon finds out that Georgie traveled to Texas to become his wife.

Cora feels indebted to the man, Eddie, who saved her and her baby Esther. She travels on the Oregon Trail with him. He intimidates her and has her doing most of the work. He’s jealous, and she knows not to look in another man’s direction. An early snowstorm leaves her in danger of frostbite, and when Harrison Walsh carries her off to his wagon to be treated, Eddie becomes enraged and drops Cora’s trunk off at Harrison’s wagon. Harrison Walsh was happily married until three months ago, when his wife died.

The day Teagan Kavanagh proposed he was told to leave and never come back. That was before the Civil War. Now Teagan is puzzled as to why the Maguire cattle are on his ranch. He rides to their ranch and finds Gemma alone, living in a falling down house. He is further confused when she accuses him of buying her ranch and having her evicted. Gemma Maguire held on during the war, doing without, she paid off the mortgage on the ranch.

Mathew Jenkins feels isolated on his remote, rural ranch. Though he longs for a family, women in mining country are scarcer than gold nuggets. So he’s delighted by the dapper response to his mail-order bride ad from a comely Virginian lady. Jenny Phillips’ good name was ruined by her father’s stupidity. Forced into hiding with her ma, she’s desperate to put her pa’s stained reputation behind. But when her domineering uncle tries to sell her to the highest bidder, she flees by answering a lonely Montana man’s classified....

Gabe Douglass is the sheriff of Rutger Creek, Arkansas, and the father of seven-year-old Eva. The death of his wife signaled the end of his love life. There is no room in his heart for anyone new. But when Eva wants a mommy for her birthday, Gabe’s mother goes behind his back and orders a mail order bride for him.

Reese Tait is a single rancher with two small children and a run-down ranch to care for, and he’s running out of time. Aileen Warrick is a young widow with debts to pay and nowhere to turn. She’s also running out of time. Valerie Tait is the frustrated, lovelorn bride who brings them together.

Banned from the wagon train, Samantha Foley wanders through the Colorado Mountains. An early winter storms arrives leaving her at its frozen mercy. Ruggedly handsome mountain man Patrick McCrery comes to her rescue. Patrick, half white and half Indian, he fits in neither world. He lives a solitary life as a trapper. He certainly does not want to get involved with the beautiful Samantha Foley.

Everything in Annie Douglas' life has taught her that men can't be trusted. Although Burke is big, strong, and not seemingly gentle, Annie feels drawn to the handsome Texas cowboy. Upon discovering Burke's advertisement for a wife, Annie shyly asks if he might consider her. Burke Dawson wants children; unfortunately, that also includes a wife. His first wife was a citified hellcat who stole half of his ranch. Now Burke's determined to find an honest country girl with no expectations of love. 

When marriage-shy Mason Crawford and spitfire Jenny Carson meet, their unexpected attraction is undeniable. The road ahead looks promising until storm clouds of anger and pride roll in. Can they weather the tempest, or will it dash their hopes for love and acceptance?

It’s finally time for Smitty to settle down after all of his trips on the Oregon Trail. He has Lynn and a houseful of orphans, but he also had a wife who he’s always been faithful to. Brenda lied and said she was with child, Smitty’s child, over ten years ago. It’s time to dissolve their marriage. Upon arriving at Brenda’s house, he finds Brenda and her mother May dying of tuberculosis and just as ornery as ever. Lynn knows Smitty is married and respects the vows he took.