Isla McNeese

Isla McNeese is a Scottish immigrant to the United States not long after the Civil War ended. She brought her frugal lifestyle and knowledge of cattle with her. After a failed marriage, she followed the advice of the times and went west, arriving in Denver, Colorado, where she found employment as a cook. The announcement of free land in Wyoming stirred a desire in her to have a place of her own where she could raise cattle and be independent. Buffalo Creek and its valley were the perfect spots and she homesteaded an acreage which spanned both sides of the creek. Large cattle ranches flanked her on both sides and both ranches had been using her section of the creek to water their livestock. Isla must confront and defeat her neighbors one way or another or give up her dream. Two young men join forces with her and conflict and romance follow. The homesteaders face a once in a decade winter storm in addition to the two ranch owners.