Quirt Noble, a scout for Ft. Davis is left temporarily in charge of the fort when it's commander is sent north to join forces with the Union Army when civil war breaks out. Not only is the Comanche and Kiowa raiding the settlements near the fort, but now Washington has sent thirty women to Fort Davis to procure the remains of their beloved husbands and take them home. Washington had no idea that Ft. Sumter would be fired upon so soon. The women were enroute and it was impossible to stop them from heading for Fort Davis.

When Jennifer Weston comes west to take her brother's remains home, she's better prepared than most. It seems the women won't be able to take their beloveds home because of the constant Indian attacks on the fort, and the threat that the north might come to fight too. Jennifer is undaunted though, and is ready to help Quirt.

Unafraid to face the worse of war, Quirt and Jennifer fight side by side as the fort is attacked. Jennifer's courage never fails her, but Quirt worries she might not be alive when it's all over. Confederates arrive to take charge of the fort, and find their own battle with the Indians. But the Confederates leave to fight , and again the fort is in Quirt's hands. Can they battle the Indians while the entire country is at war with itself? Is there a future for Quirt and Jennifer under such dire circumstances.