A SHOOTIST IS THE LEAST LIKELY MAN FOR A BOTANIST TO TRUST-ESPECIALLY WITH HER HEART. Nellie Sanders persuades her uncle, a renowned botanist, to allow her to join an 1872 expedition to the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho Territory. Using an assumed name, infamous shootist Malachi Breedlove contracts to lead the botanical expedition into the wilderness. A crazy old woman steals Nellie, believing her a dead daughter returned to life. As leader of the expedition, Malachi is forced to send others to seek the woman he belatedly realizes he loves. Nellie finally convinces the old woman to take her back, claiming she will die without Malachi. No sooner are Nellie and Malachi reunited than disaster strikes the expedition. Now the lovers must face the dangers of the wilderness, conquer old weaknesses and discover new strengths. As the summer ends, Nellie faces a choice between academic acclaim and love, while Malachi wonders whether he can hang up his guns and survive.