After the war, Jewel Eberhardt has few choices for a beau, so she writes to a mail-order bride agency. From Pike’s Bluff, Colorado, Dirk Walker writes her back. Nervous and self-conscious, he sends Jewel the train fare, praying it will be a good match. When they meet, he fears she’s far above him - a fine woman too good for the likes of him. Yet, he marries her and takes her home to his ranch.

Jewel’s new husband is everything she’s dreamed of - kind, generous, handsome, thoughtful - but he’s emotionally distant, almost cold. Determined to make him proud of her, Jewel works hard to win his affection.

Dirk must ride to Denver to purchase more cattle. Uneasy about leaving his new wife behind with Will, his cowhand whom he’s not sure he can trust, he rides out anyway. When the cowhand later attacks Jewel, she fights him off and fires him. That next week, someone is stealing their cattle. Jewel gives chase, if only to identify the rustler for the marshal. It’s Will. He shoots her in the shoulder. Injured, Jewel rides hard for town and runs smack into Dirk coming home.

Dirk rides out to find Will; he now loves Jewel and is bent on defending her. When he finally locates Will, a deathly fight ensues. Jewel, now tended by the doctor, waits nervously, praying her marriage won’t end before she has the chance to declare her love to her new husband.