After losing half his cattle herd in the Great Blizzard of 1886, rancher Konrad Windsor needs a way to keep his cattle contained. Tomboy Anora Huxley, age 24, daughter and granddaughter of sheep ranchers, trains the Australian Shepherds and Kelpies that run the family's herd. What Konrad doesn't need is for Anora to tell him how to run his operation while in the middle of the mercantile.

At later encounters, the pair learns they have common interests and draw closer. A threat to Anora's ranch is overheard, and Konrad rides out with a warning, and a crew, to offer protection. Through the tense situation, they share confidences. Although torn about honoring her grandfather's dislike of cattlemen and listening to her own heart about Konrad's request to court her, Anora's heart is swayed by Konrad's grand gesture at the Christmas Eve church bazaar and is compelled to obey his silent signals.