Sarah Anderson escapes her stepfather and his unruly children and heads for California and her brother Seth, trusting God to keep her safe on the perilous journey west.
           Matt Sterling rescued Seth from danger and taught him to become a top hand on the Sterling ranch. Betrayed by one selfish girl, Matt has vowed the San Joaquin River will run dry before he ever gets involved with another woman. He’s better off fighting cattle rustlers, floods and drought to make his spread one of the finest in the valley. Why, then, is he so concerned about Seth’s sister?