The Finleys are a young couple recently married still in their honeymoon stage while the Parkers are an older unhappily married couple. Chris Finley is a wanted man which Adams knows. Both are on Adams wagon discussing the issue when the Finley wagon has an accident paralyzing Evvie Finley who was driving the wagon. With the Finley wagon destroyed, they put her in the Parker wagon but are afraid to move her. Due to worry about snow the wagon train goes on to the next town leaving the Finleys and Parkers to wait for help to return. Kate Parker has a considerable sum of money with her. Her husband had been planning to leave her so he takes the money, wagon, and Kate leaving the Finleys stranded alone. A branch knocks out Jonas allowing Kate to escape but she falters in the cold snow. Jonas leaves with the money on foot the next day. Mountain man Boone Caulder rescues Kate. Kate soon learns Boone is an uneducated but wise man especially about men and women. Adams returns the next day with a doctor to find the Finleys buried in snow and no sign of the Parkers until Kate and Boone arrive.
—Anonymous