Nettie Clayton's well-planned life is stolen in a few moments when Josh McClintock mistakes her window for that of her carousing neighbor. Nevermind that Nettie'd had a crush on Josh since they met. Because of his carelessness, she loses her coveted teaching position, the community's respect, and her father's high opinion of her. Josh McClintock's free-wheeling life comes to an abrupt end after his birthday celebration. He works hard by day on the family ranch; he plays just as hard on weekends. He loves being single to play the field of willing females and has no plan to marry for five or six years. One drunken mistake alters his life and Nettie's forever. While Nettie and Josh struggle to deal with an unwanted marriage, a crazed villain planning his revenge against the McClintock family targets Josh and Nettie. Can a reluctant bride and groom conquer the odds to discover a love that will last through all time?