Ruth Guthrie strides across a vast field, pursued by Bob Muldoon, who pleads with her not to leave him and return to her mother's home. Despite his appeals, Ruth is resolute and reveals her frustration over Bob's earlier decision to inform Freddy that he intended to "strike out on his own." Disheartened, Bob insists that this declaration was misunderstood. In a moment of vulnerability, Ruth reveals her pregnancy, sparking a reconciliation between the two.
As events unfold, Bob and Freddy engage in a criminal act while Ruth anxiously waits in the getaway vehicle. The police, led by Patrick Wheeler, quickly catch onto their actions, leading to a tense confrontation at a nearby farmhouse. Amid the chaos, Freddy is killed, and Ruth, in a moment of desperation, shoots Patrick. To protect Ruth from legal repercussions, Bob courageously takes the blame for both Patrick's shooting and the earlier crime. The couple surrenders their firearms and is subsequently taken into custody, with Bob facing imprisonment. During his time in jail, he writes multiple letters to Ruth, promising to return to her and their unborn child. Eventually, Ruth gives birth to their daughter, Sylvie.
Years roll by, and Ruth, along with her daughter Sylvie, builds a seemingly ordinary life in the quaint town of Meridian, Texas. Unbeknownst to her, Patrick, who remains oblivious to Ruth's guilty role in his injury, notes their presence around town but respects her wish to avoid contact. One day, he arrives at Ruth's home, sharing the startling news that Bob has managed to escape from prison. The local detective interrogates Ruth about Bob's whereabouts; she claims that he hasn’t visited her. Meanwhile, Bob is en route through Missouri, seeking refuge from law enforcement. His journey leads him to Texas, where he finds aid from his friend Sweetie. In parallel, a group of bounty hunters, led by the menacing Bear, arrive in town and begin asking questions around Skerrit's hardware store.
Patrick pays another visit to Ruth, returning the letters from Bob that the police had intercepted following his escape. He advises her to relocate for her safety, which Ruth interprets as a precaution until Bob is recaptured. Bob unexpectedly visits Skerrit, who warns him of the many threats on his life and advises him to steer clear of Ruth and Sylvie. The tension mounts when Patrick seeks information about Bob at Sweetie's place, leading to a tense moment where Bob narrowly evades capture but mistakenly leaves behind a cherished photograph of Ruth and Sylvie.
On the day of Sylvie's birthday celebration, Patrick gifts her a guitar. During their conversation, he discovers Ruth's plans for a trip with Sylvie. Bob quietly arrives at their home but, upon seeing Patrick inside, retreats. He returns to the site of the original shootout, where he encounters the bounty hunters. A frantic struggle ensues, resulting in the death of one hunter, but Bob sustains severe injuries in the process. He escapes but is pursued by another bounty hunter, compelling him to hijack a car from a local driver named Will. Despite Will's insistence on taking him to a hospital, Bob insists on heading to Ruth's home.
As the tension reaches its peak, Sylvie awakens to find her mother sleeping on the sofa while Patrick keeps watch. They are jolted by the sounds of gunfire outside, prompting Patrick to rush out and confront the chaos. He finds the third bounty hunter embroiled in a shootout with Skerrit, ultimately killing the assailant, but not before discovering that Skerrit has been gravely injured. With Ruth and Sylvie taken to the police station for protection and questioning, Patrick returns them home only to find the front door ajar. Entering cautiously, he discovers a critically wounded Bob inside. Ruth rushes in just as Patrick attempts to approach Bob, prohibiting him and tending to her husband instead. In a heart-wrenching moment, Sylvie enters, witnessing her father in his final moments, cradled in her mother’s arms. Patrick steps outside with Sylvie, comforting her as Ruth and Bob share their last, poignant words amid the chaos.
