When Amanda Gregory’s father is killed by Indians, the Reverend Josh Holmes asks for her hand. Most women, finding themselves alone in a harsh world, would have gratefully accepted the kind young pastor’s proposal, especially since it was clear how much he truly cared for her. But Amanda, wants to feel more than grateful for her husband.

After yet another attack on her farm, she finds a wounded Apache warrior on her land. Though too hurt to harm her, she contemplates letting him die of his wounds, or putting him out of his misery. But she can’t do it. She’s not a killer, despite her hatred for the braves who murdered her father. And there is something about the young warrior that pulls at her; the way he calmly pleads for his life, the stately way he handles himself even though he is at her mercy and his argument that he was not among the tribe who has been raiding her village but actually a victim like she is.

Proud Eagle has never seen a woman like The Golden Lady, as he calls her. From the beginning, his attraction to her is strong, visceral. As she tends to his wounds his feelings for her deepen and he is intuitive enough to see that her feelings toward him are changing—for the better.

When a third attack on her home occurs, this one accompanied by burning buildings, both Amanda and Proud Eagle flee. Though not totally healed, he is strong enough to protect her, to fight for her and to lead her to safety. Alone on the trail, it is clear to Amanda that her feelings go too deep to be discounted as merely borne out of mercy, but rather borne out of love. Finally she agrees to go with him to his village and become his woman because she can no longer even think of leaving him. Thus begins her journey into a new and strange culture.