When Miss Quinn Cooper arrives in Emerson Pass, Colorado, her entire life is packed into one small suitcase. Her family is depending upon her for their survival back home in Boston. Lord Alexander Barnes, the self-appointed mayor of the rugged mountain community, is counting on Miss Cooper to prove herself a fitting teacher for the entire town. With his own resources, the widower builds a schoolhouse and recruits the young teacher from the east, and all is well until necessity forces the lovely, young newcomer to also take a room in the Barnes' home.