Historical western, set in the badlands of the Dakotas. Hallie is not allowed to fully participate in the family newspaper business because she's female. Seeking to placate her, father sets her off to interview 4 mail-order brides, on their way to the Dakotas. When one bride backs out, Hallie decides to take her place - as a reporter, not to marry the man. Cooper was raised by Indians. White, he was allowed to purchase land and has started a booming Stage and Freight business, serving the pioneers, soldiers and Indians. But he can't read, so that's why he sent for a wife - with the only requirement being that she could read and write. Hallie arrives, refuses to marry him, but stays anyway because she wants to get her story. She has no idea how hard this life would be, but learns fast and handles the challenges of stage coach robbers, fire, kidnapping, a bear attack, getting the business information out of Cooper's head and into bookkeeping books, with aplomb. In the end, she leaves - and realizes what she left behind. Cooper chases her to Boston and they decide to marry and go back to Dakota. ( )