It has been three years since Nell Grant crept from Marshal Sam Kline's bed in Beaumont, Texas—positive their night of wonder would end with her dancing at the end of a rope.

Raising her infant son with the help of her mother's best friend and dreaming of Sam, Nell couldn't help but find regret at leaving him, but at least she was with their child and safe. Her heart would have to sort out its remorse in her dreams.

When Sam arrives to investigate trouble between the troops at North Platte Station and the townsfolks, he is shocked to find Nell walking down the street with a tiny replica of himself in her arms. He vows right then never to let her escape him again, but nothing about Nell is ever that easy.