In the 1830s, in the wild Wyoming territory, Jonathan Byrd is working as a fur trapper. But the quiet young man dreams of giving up the high country life and decides to make his home in a little valley called Shywater. Before long, however, other Byrds arrive. Jonathan's cousin is a failed farmer and an alcoholic. He has brought his wife, son, and infant daughter to Shywater with no thought asto how he will support them. Along with them trails a pair of men from the wild Texas border country who prove to be wanted killers. Jonathan and his Crow wife struggle to make Shywater a place of peace and fulfillment.