After a lengthy correspondence, Annie Applegate is delighted to accept James Underwood's proposal of marriage, and she travels to Independence, Missouri, to meet him. They plan to marry and join the wagon train on the Santa Fe Trail, eventually reaching James's ranch in Wyoming. But on arrival in Independence, Annie discovers that James is deceased! Given her reduced circumstances, she has no money to return home, and is forced to throw herself on the mercy of his brother John.

In the past, the feisty and flirty Annie had no qualms in using her good looks and sweet tongue to get her own way, but she meets her match in handsome cowboy John Underwood. This is the story of their journey, during which Annie learns that there is a price to be paid for her sassy, manipulative behaviour. John makes it clear that when she breaks the rules - which she does with alarming frequency - she goes over his knee for a bare bottom spanking.

Tempers flare, passions are kindled, and under John's understated authority, Annie learns some important life lessons ... she also falls head-over-heels in love with him. But are her feelings reciprocated...?