The 19th century isn't a kind place for newly widowed mothers and Phoebe is no different. She answers a mail order advertisement from Luke who seems like a good enough fellow. He owns a farm in California but with the Gold Rush in full bloom, decent women are hard to find. Phoebe arrives but doesn't tell Luke about her pregnancy. He falls in love with her but soon realizes that she's keeping something from him. How will he react when he discovers the truth? Will he reject the woman he quickly grew to love?