As affluent Los Angeles land developer Monte Peterson embarks on a new venture—a ski resort in Utah—he unwittingly becomes ensnared in a web of intricate polygamous customs and high-stakes property transactions. Following the collapse of his third marriage, Monte travels to the Beehive State, where he encounters the cunning Preston Gates, a ruthless banker hell-bent on seizing land for mob investors eager to establish a casino.
After a triumphant victory in a land auction, a friend reveals the quirky traditions of the region to Monte, disclosing that his recent land acquisition comes with an unusual requirement: he must marry the three widows of the previous landowner. Initially disgusted by this strange notion, Monte's spirits are lifted when he meets the captivating Judy Tylor, Kate Luyben, and Angelika Baran. Ultimately, he takes all three as his wives, only to discover the monumental task of balancing their expectations and culinary desires.
As Monte treads deeper into this perplexing arrangement, he uncovers an unexpected connection between one of his new spouses and Preston Gates, whose ties to Las Vegas mobster Tony Morano bring forth a slew of underhanded tactics. When another local resident dies, Gates attempts to capitalize on the situation by claiming the deceased's land and two widows, Emmanuelle Vaugier and Anita Brown. Initially reluctant to engage in yet another marriage, Monte is soon won over by the culinary skills of these new prospects.
In a bold strategic move, Monte clears the debts left by their former husband, foiling Gates' schemes once again. Frustrated, Gates turns to Stewart to catch Monte indulging in his vices, aiming to secure his excommunication from the church and force him out of town.
As a reward for his resilience, Monte treats his wives to an extravagant trip to Las Vegas, immersing them in the city’s vibrant nightlife, complete with casinos, tennis courts, and sandy beaches. The wives attend a transformative empowerment seminar led by Dr. Van Dyke (played by Molly Shannon), who champions female dominance in relationships. In a twist of events, the wives find themselves at a gentlemen's club, necessitating Monte's hurried rescue. In a surprising turn, Monte takes to the stage, performing alongside the male dancers, thrusting him into the spotlight.
This enriched summary preserves the heart of the original plot while adding vivid descriptions and diverse sentence structures for a more immersive reading experience. As Monte's wives gradually assert their authority, they begin to cultivate independence from him. Meanwhile, at Monte's ski resort site, human remains are discovered, leading to speculation about an ancient Native American burial ground.
Trapped in a customer’s scheme devised by Gates, Monte falls victim to a counterfeit accusation, landing him in jail. As word spreads about the grave discovery, Monte’s loyal assistant Ray confirms that they’d been working on sacred land. During a town trial, while Gates pushes for Monte's expulsion from the community, Monte's wives and his waiter-lawyer, Paul, stand as character witnesses. Still, despite their testimonies, Monte is declared guilty.
With Tony and Shuffles in town delivering orders from crime boss Don Giovanni to eliminate Monte, Gates revels in claiming his Native American heritage, which he uses as leverage to assert ownership of the land and transform it into a gambling center. In a surprising act, Monte's wives decide to rescue him from jail by crashing a truck through the facility gates.
Racing back to the excavation site, Monte is met by authorities who expose Gates' nefarious plans. The police arrest Gates, clearing Monte of his troubles. However, as fate would have it, Don Giovanni appears, recognizing Monte as an old friend from childhood, leading to a reprimand of his own henchmen for the confusion that endangered Monte.
In a final moment with his five wives, Monte grapples with their collective future, ultimately finding himself unceremoniously expelled from their lives. However, he exits Utah with a newfound contentment, embarking on a life with his ninth and current wife, Dr. Van Dyke, who appreciates him for the sensitive soul she had always yearned for.
