A coming of age journey from the family ranch in the San Joaquin Valley, California to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma set in the time before Oklahoma's statehood. Jesse De La Souza's adventures help define him as a young man as he travels from his dysfunctional home to the family ranch of Mrs. Megan Lee. Upon arriving at the ranch, Jesse is hired for the winter. Jesse soon becomes a part of the Lee ranch family. He is mentored by Senor Sanchez. A relationship develops between Jesse and Senor Sanchez each having a secret that binds them together.