She is headstrong and feisty, but when her fatherly friend, mentor, and reverend suddenly gets transferred, her life becomes a nightmare. Ready to be put into her father's will and take over his ranch, Hazel Buchannon learns that she can't inherit anything because she is a woman. Not willing to accept such unfairness, she starts to fight back and is determined to change the law. When a younger clergyman replaces Reverend Robert Mitchell, things change drastically in Willamette Falls. Hazel, who always felt safe and protected on her father's ranch and their small town, is now subject to threats, attacks, and several kidnapping attempts. Someone is trying hard to get to her mentally and break her happy spirit. The tormenting seems to be working because fear is now her constant companion.