Bicycle-riding, bloomers-wearing Sydney Weatherby spends her life meeting gentlemen her mother approves of and being expected to marry one. None of the men her mother approves of are the least bit attractive to Sydney. Instead of battling her mother, she decides to change her destiny by visiting the town's matchmaker and agreeing to go west as a mail-order bride.

Arriving in Fort Worth, she finds her plans were based on a misconception, and she must make new plans.

Lewis Dailey takes one look at Sydney Weatherby and falls in love. Sydney seems too attached to her new-found freedom to marry him, no matter how hard he tries.

Will Sydney choose a life of independence? Or one of love?