It is May 1865. When Rosaleen O'Shay and her mother lose their factory jobs, and then her father and brother are injured ina coal-mine cave-in, the family is in serious trouble. Rosaleen worries they will never save enough money to fulfill their dream - to leave Pittsburgh and buy a farm in California. Hoping to give her a better life, Rosaleen's father secretly arranges to marry her off to Blaise Cameron, a young man on his way to his parent's ranch near Stockton, California. In a twist of fate, Blaise turns out to be the soldier from the street - the one Rosaleen considers a blackard. To make matters worse, Blaise has a plan - and dubious motive for taking a wife - so Rosaleen will have to drive a hard bargain of her own. Will Blaise tame the fiery redhead and make her truly his? Or will he annul the marriage as promised when he has achieved his objectives? And will Rosaleen realize that unusual beginnings can lead to happily ever after?