John Grainger's old friend, Jim Kohler, and his daughter, Melanie, come to Shiloh to visit from Chicago where he is a successful businessman. When they arrive at Medicine Bow, John and Elizabeth are there along with Trampas to meet the Kohlers. Melanie is highly educated having traveled around the world. When she gives Trampas a tip for handling their luggage at the railroad station, he returns the favor when she holds his hat as he drops her luggage in her room. Jim tells John that he is looking for a place nearby for them to move to but John senses a problem. Melanie and Elizabeth riding run into Trampas. Melanie steals Trampas' cutting horse but falls off. Trampas finding her is forced to kill a threatening mountain lion. He helps her home where a kiss from him leads to her going with a skeptical Trampas to Medicine Bow the next day. Very quickly a serious relationship develops between them as she lives life to the fullest. The result is Trampas asking Melanie to marry him. However, unknown to Trampas Melanie has a dark secret which complicates the engagement.
—Anonymous