Upon the impassioned request of her dear friend, Annabel Coleman, scheduled to become a mail order bride, Gisela Craig had reluctantly switched identities on their trek west from South Carolina to Colorado.

At the last minute (thankfully before final arrangements were made and a husband duped), the truth had come out.

Although Gisela, who has rightfully reclaimed her name and character, had no plans to be married, she is drawn to the charming and devilishly handsome Jesse, second oldest of the Falcon sons, as he is to her. Within a short time, they celebrate their romance in a double wedding ceremony with Sam and Annabel and set up housekeeping on the Cottonwood Ranch.

All is going well. Gisela and Jesse are plainly in love; she is happily settling into the ranch routine and adapting to her change in circumstances; relations with all of her new in-laws can be seen as friendly and supportive.

All is going far too well.

Because, as always, there's another shoe to drop.

One rainy October day, the sheriff of Pasto Verde arrives at the Falcon homestead.

He has come with a single express purpose: to arrest newlywed Gisela Craig Falcon.

For murder.