It's the early 1960s Montana. With no family as support besides her in-laws with who she lives, widowed Lorna Blackledge marries Donnie Weboy primarily to provide a father for her three year old son, Jimmy Blackledge. Lorna's first husband, James Blackledge, died in a horse riding accident. Shortly thereafter when Lorna, Donnie and Jimmy disappear into the night without a word, said in-laws, retired sheriff George Blackledge and horsewoman Margaret Blackledge, go on a search for them in Margaret knowing that Donnie is bad for Lorna and Jimmy in she having seen Donnie, without any sign of remorse, hit both of them and thus fearing not only for their safety but their lives. Thus, they also believe Lorna left against her will in fear for herself and Jimmy if she didn't obey. Margaret in particular is determined to bring Jimmy "home" to live with them with or without Lorna. They head to North Dakota in believing that's where Donnie's family lives. Beyond discovering that Donnie is only the tip of the iceberg in the control and violence exacted by the Weboys, how George and Margaret approach the situation, despite loving each other, is often at odds with each other in their different histories, George as former law enforcement, and Margaret as the nurturing mother, first to James and then to Jimmy.