Beth and Alex survive a stage coach accident. Beth realizes the derelict in the stagecoach with her is a doctor and she forces him to help tend the injured. Alex finds he can care for the patients as long as Beth is right beside him... yelling at him. Alex saves Beth's sister’s life, but he only has the courage to treat patients as long as Beth is there. The one way to keep her close it to marry her. Beth thinks he's a lunatic, but there's no denying his skill, and she's so empathic she can see the terrible price Alex pays to help hurting people. Besides, she owes the loco doctor for saving Sally. She agrees to marry him. Her parents, Clay and Sophie protest the sudden marriage, but when Beth agrees to the marriage they grant their blessing. And that's when the real trouble begins. A bounty hunter is on Alex's trail for desertion from the army. Alex has to live long enough to turn himself in, and then he may face a firing squad. And this all happens right when Alex is getting to be semi-sane and Beth is just starting to like him.