Nebraska, 1854. Mary Bee, 31, lives a solitary existence in a God-fearing frontier town. She is designated by members of her church to take back East three traumatized women who have lost their minds. On the way, Mary saves the life of Briggs, a deserter and outlaw, who agrees to help in her mission in return for $300 if they reach their destination safely. Through snowstorms and perilous encounters with settlers and Indians, the two loners grow closer until Mary proposes marriage. Whatever Briggs chooses-a beautiful wife or carefree drifting-for both of them, life can never be the same again...