After Jane Miller's husband dies she loses her home and farm in Butte, Montana, to pay off her husband's gambling debts. She is left homeless and destitute and able to find only one job in town, as a prostitute in a saloon. Before she lays down for her first customer the saloon is raided and she's arrested for prostitution.

Jane appears before Judge Simon Hopkins who fines her for prostitution and a month in jail. Being an excellent judge of character, Simon believes Jane Miller does not fit his description of a prostitute. After serving her month in jail Simon finds her a job where she's hired to manage a bed and breakfast, a reputable saloon called The Sapphire Palace.

Simon's a confirmed bachelor, and Jane falls in love with his calm, gentle manner.

Simon finds himself falling in love with sweet but practical Jane but can't marry her, for fear of jeopardizing her life. He's put away plenty of criminals who've been released and some could be gunning for him. He'd like nothing better than marrying her, but can he take the chance?