When her husband dies of cancer in 1881, newly pregnant Jane Weber must choose between fading to obscurity under the wing of her parents or forging a new life for herself in the Dakota Territories. Arriving in Flats Junction, Jane meets her employer, Doctor Kinney, to whom she is to be housekeeper and cook. Due to her unexpected youth, Doctor Kinney decrees she cannot board at his house, and instead sends her to stay with Widow Hawks, the only Blackfoot Sioux still living in Flats Junction. The widow is at first unwelcoming, and Jane herself is nervous about the stigma that might come from residing with a Native American.
While trying to organize her new life and surroundings, Jane endeavors to establish a friendship with Kate, the towns half-breed grocer and the daughter of Widow Hawks. Doctor Kinney soon discovers Janes pregnancy, but decides not to fire her. Widow Hawks grows to be a mother figure for Jane, and a cowboy, Bern, starts to court Jane as she walks home after work each night. Still, growing acts of anonymous violence against Widow Hawks religion and property make Jane wary of Flats Junction.
As time passes, Jane befriends the locals and starts to see the Doctor as a fallible man, one who might imbibe too much liquor or make mistakes. Kates fluid moodiness and palpable anger toward her mother makes her a difficult friend, though Jane believes that Doctor Kinney finds Kate attractive and desirable. She chooses to play matchmaker and force the pair together.
Jane miscarries her child. The miscarriage quickly escalates into a maternal hemorrhage, nearly killing her. Once she recovers, she recognizes her love for the fair and tolerant Doctor Kinney, but the wheels in motion between Kate and the Doctor and the continued escalating violence against Widow Hawks leaves Jane no choice but to depart Flats Junction. She returns to Massachusetts under the care of an elderly aunt to rebuild a new career.
In Gloucester, Jane discovers new friends and a romantic interest in widowed Andrew, the dairymans son. She enjoys her new role as cook for a fine house and begins to train an apprentice as well as Andrews young daughter. When Doctor Kinney arrives in town to request Janes return to Flats Junction, she refuses him on principle and to protect her heart. Still, the Doctors brief intrusion in Gloucester spurs Andrew to withdraw his marriage proposal. Jane considers herself lost to insignificance until Doctor Kinney returns once again unannounced and professes his love and affection.
The two marry quickly, and return to Flats Junction. Once settled, they head to the nearby Sioux reservation to fetch Widow Hawks, and experience the deep deprivation and disease there. Doctor Kinney tries to heal any Native Americans who need him during their brief stay. Though stilted and crackling with self-righteous anger, Kate eventually welcomes her mother back to her life and the town. Jane and Doctor Kinney are able to create a cozy life together with their children and Widow Hawks.
