Caitlyn's world crumbles following the death and infidelity of her fiancé and the death of her father. Her life spirals out of control when she turns to drink, and things come to a head when she is arrested and finds herself before Judge Kincaid. Fortunately for her, the judge was a friend of her father's. Seeking to do the best he can for her, he puts her on supervised probation for a year, providing she serves it on Mitchell Creek Ranch, owned by a friend of his, Daniel Cartwright. Caitlyn is reluctant, but it is better than the alternative - prison time.

Daniel Cartwright drives over to collect her. He is not what she expected, being young, intelligent, and ruggedly handsome. She assures him she will do her best under his supervision, and learns that her schedule will be filled with housekeeping, cooking and gardening tasks. She quickly learns that Daniel is a very busy man who will not stand any nonsense. He is fair but demanding, and his way of correcting her behaviour is to put her over his knee and spank her bottom. But this treatment doesn't stop Caitlyn from falling for the hunky cowboy. She is desperate for him to make a move on her, and resorts to trying to make him jealous as she interacts with the other ranch hands. This only earns her a trip to the woodshed, though it seems the fire in her seat makes her feel even more passionate towards the aloof cowboy. But gradually, the bond between the two of them strengthens, and a whole new and exciting future beckons.