Conagher

The Teale family moves west on a wagon into Indian Territory and establishes their home with plans to start a cattle business. The father, Jacob, rides out to purchase cattle and promises to return in a month. He is killed when his horse falls on him and he bleeds to death internally, leaving Evie and the children to fend for themselves.

A stagecoach passes by the Teale farm and Evie agrees to feed customers, beginning a small, independent source of income. One of the passengers warns about Conn Conagher, a fierce gunfighter, setting up tension for events to come.

Conagher and his partner Mahler stop for food at the Teale farm, forming a connection with Evie and her family. The encounter introduces Conagher as a capable, hardworking man who will influence the town and the family.

The Teale farm comes under attack by Indians. The stagecoach arrives mid-gunfight, and the drivers and passengers join the defense. By morning, the attackers are defeated and retreat.

Conagher begins drifting across the prairie after the assault. He and Mahler meet Seaborn Tay, an old rancher who hires both of them to work his cattle operation.

The Ladder Five gang, led by Smoke Parnell, threatens Tay's cattle and land. Mahler deserts Conagher and decides to join the gang, creating tension and risk for the ranch.

Conagher proves his skill by repelling the Ladder Five gang and saving Tay's cattle not once but twice, in rapid gun battles. His actions secure the ranch and earn him respect.

Conagher visits the Teale farm regularly and grows closer to Evie, becoming a father figure to her children. The bond between him and Evie deepens as he helps around the farm.

While out herding Tay's cattle, Conagher is ambushed and wounded by Ladder Five. He hides during the day, returns at night, and holds the gang at gunpoint. Weak from his injuries, he collapses under the strain.

Parnell recognizes the risk of pursuing Conagher and orders a member to take him to Seaborn Tay. The next day, Ladder Five clears off the land, unable to finish the feud.

Evie writes anonymous poems tied to tumbleweeds and scatters them across the prairie. Conagher spends much of his time chasing tumbleweeds, not realizing the poet is Evie until the end of the story.

Conagher recovers and contemplates heading north, but returns to the family cabin with groceries. After a tension-filled moment with Mahler in town, Evie finally reveals she wrote the tumbleweed notes. They kiss and decide to start a life together.