Nineteen-year-old Katy is sent to Canada by her family in the late 1890's to find a suitable husband. Katy has other plans, however - she wants a career, not marriage.
During the round of social activities arranged by her sister, she is drawn against her will towards her distant cousin Robert, who loves Katy on sight. She has also attracted the attention of her brother-in-law's boss, Martin, who doesn't take rejection easily, and evens the score by destroying Katy's reputation.
Facing a return home in disgrace, Katy tries another way out. She accepts the offer of marriage from Robert, who is on his way west to set up a homestead on the prairies.
Katy is not prepared for the loneliness and hardships she is about to face. She has a difficult journey ahead, learning to become a woman and a wife and discovering how to love.