In 1916 fourteen-year old Luke O'Donnelly took on the responsibility of a man when he took his twelve-year old sister, Naomi and fled their abusive brother-in-law. Before Luke left he set out to kill the despicable man but spared his life in exchange for five hundred dollars and three of his best horses.

Luke and Naomi worked for two more years to earn enough money to buy land near Bandera, Texas where they planned to build a place of their own. Barely started, their dreams were destroyed, and the two were forced to move on.

Luke had no choice but to leave his sister in nearby Castroville with a minister's family while he headed west to the Sycamore Creek Ranch near the Rio Grande River where he found grave danger and the two loves of his life.

Naomi missed her protective brother and longed for the day when she could join him again. When she got her wish she could not have imagined how her life was about to change.