1877 Jefferson, Texas. Bertha Biddle is in love. The fellow seems interested, but something's holding him back. When a charismatic stranger rolls in on the northbound train offering to teach Bertha the art of wooing her man she leaps at the chance. But when the woman is found cruelly murdered, Bertha realizes their meeting held eternal significance.

Thaddeus Bloom is way past smitten with Bertha. But his father has determined that Thad will be the family's first college graduate. Thad's bound for military school and must leave his feelings for little Bertha behind. Trouble is, it's time to leave, and he can't muster the starch to say goodbye.