Susanna Copeland, a woman determined to save her farm, hires a Cherokee man named Eagle Jack Sixkiller to pose as her husband during a perilous cattle drive to Kansas. Facing a lack of available crew members, Susanna secures Jack's release from jail to act as her protector and spouse. The narrative follows their forced proximity as they navigate the physical dangers of the trail, including stampedes and weather events. The story explores the tension between Susanna's desire for independence and the growing attraction between her and Jack, who uses the charade to tease and court her. The narrative framework focuses on their evolving relationship against the backdrop of the American frontier.

Readers frequently highlight the chemistry between the two leads as the primary driver of the narrative. Discussion often centers on the balance between the external dangers of the cattle drive and the internal development of the romantic relationship. Critics note that the author utilizes classic Western tropes to establish a clear sense of place and time. The pacing is generally described as steady, focusing more on the interpersonal dynamics than on complex plot twists. Many readers appreciate the portrayal of the protagonist's struggle for autonomy within the constraints of the period.