Lew and Meg Wilson establish Cornerstone Ranch while southeast Arizona is still part of Spain. At the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains, it is in the heart of Apache country. They got along fine with the Apache but they all walk warily around each other. Dokery, Charley, and Darlene Wilson offspring of Lew and Meg grow up in this rugged country, the sun turning them as dark as the Spanish people that work the ranch. Hard work, training and home schooling make them resourceful and independent. A trip back to St Lewis to aid business matters and a horse drive to California tests their metal. The beautiful women and one man they marry may turn out to be true helpmates.