Esther Richardson longs to live a life of meaning, and settling for a hometown suitor simply won't do. Instead, she writes to the American Mission Board requesting a post in the West. A single woman of twenty-three, she's shocked when a tall stranger arrives at her door. Sent by the Board, Johnathan Shepherd needs a wife to take West, and he's here to see if Esther will fit the bill. Will her new, firm husband and the hard journey West break Esther's spirit, or give her the adventure she's always wanted?