- After a whirlwind courtship, Nick proposes to a beautiful "partygirl" Eastern socialite. Her interest in him soon disappears when she experiences the slow paced life on the ranch-and becomes obsessed with Heath.
- NIck returns from San Francisco engaged to a beautiful girl named Hester -- whom he has only known for a week. He introduces her to his surprised family and calls for champagne to celebrate their upcoming wedding. Hester makes a somewhat negative impression by acting too familiar, especially when Heath enters the room. She seems instantly drawn to him and tries to teach him some dance steps.
The wedding is to be soon and Hester can't wait to go shopping. But Victoria reminds Nick of the upcoming family camping trip to Indian Springs. Jarrod cannot go because he is involved in a court case. Victoria feels that they won't have a good time without Nick, and hastily invites Hester to accompany them.
While Nick enthusiastically describes the beauty of Indian Springs to Hester, she is reluctant to go. She isn't sure how she will like "roughing it" and sleeping in a tent. But, seeing how disappointed Nick is, she agrees to accompany the family.
Later, Hester catches Heath alone in the barn and flirts with him. Jarrod overhears the conversation and after Heath leaves, has a talk with his future sister-in-law. He recalls meeting Hester in San Francisco some months earlier, at a society event. They even danced together. Hester claims not to remember. Jarrod's concern is that she will find it difficult to give up the social life of San Francisco for a sleepy little town like Stockton. But Hester assures him that she loves Nick so much that it won't be hard at all to live in Stockton.
The Barkleys travel on horseback to Indian Springs. Hester manages to fall into a stream after ignoring instructions to walk her horse across. While changing into dry clothes, she tells Audra about all the men she knows in San Francisco. Aware that Victoria doesn't like her, Hester asks to be given a chance to earn a place in the family. The next morning, Hester surprises Nick while he is trout-fishing for the family's breakfast. She manages to fall into the water a second time. Later that day, she begs Nick to leave with her so they can elope. Instead, he promises to marry her the minute they return.
The Barkleys attend a dance at the nearby lumber mill. Hester flirts and dances with many men, which does not please Nick. She asks Heath to dance and scolds him for not holding her close enough. He is obviously very uncomfortable around her and leaves early. Back at the camp, he comes across Hester sobbing. When he tries to comfort her, she runs away, tearing the front of her dress on a bush. Nick returns, sees her torn dress, and jumps to the wrong conclusion. He and Heath fight and Nick injures his back when he falls on a large rock. The rest of the family arrive to see him moaning in pain and unable to move.
Heath makes a litter for Nick, tying him to the frame so he is immobile. Hester is anxious to tell what happened, that nothing went on between her and Heath, but no one wants to listen. Victoria is very cold toward her, especially when Hester asks for some alone time with NIck, who by now is unconscious.
The next morning, the family sets out for home, attaching Nick's litter to one of the horses so he can be pulled. He is conscious and demands to be untied, but that might cause further injury to his back. They come to a large stream and Heath tests it to see if Nick can be safely pulled across. It is too deep, so they make camp. Eugene rides away to fetch a doctor, but it will likely be some time before he returns.
Hester again sits all night with Nick, and in the morning he begs her at least untie his hands. When she does, he quickly removes the rest of the ropes and shoves her aside. Obviously in pain, he manages to walk outside, where he collapses. Victoria is furious with Hester for untying the ropes and says she showed very poor judgment.
When Eugene returns with a doctor, everyone is relieved to hear that Nick's injuries aren't as serious as they thought. With a few weeks of rest, he will be fine. Whoever thought to keep him immobilized probably saved him days of pain. Hester asks the doctor if she can ride back with him and he agrees. She tells Nick that she doesn't want to marry him because she isn't ready to give up her social life in San Francisco. She had wanted Heath to be attracted to her because she likes the attention of any man. Nick protests but Hester is firm. The marriage will not take place.
Some weeks later, Nick is still in a wheelchair but manages to stand up and take a few steps. He stumbles and Heath catches him. They smile at each other, fully reconciled.
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