In the late 1800s, Abby Walker, an affluent and tough-minded Bostonian, embarks on a journey out west with her husband Liam. After crossing paths with Calian, a curious Apache tracker, Abby arrives in the town of Independence, Texas, where she encounters diverse and eclectic residents running from their pasts, chasing their dreams, and keeping their own secrets, including Kate Carver, an idiosyncratic burlesque dancer with perhaps too keen an interest in Abby's origins, and Kai, a soulful Chinese immigrant who runs a local restaurant/laundry and offers Abby friendship without agenda.

Abby is joined by rough and tumble outlaw Hoyt and Apache scout, Calian, when she revisits the tragic site of her life's demise in search of clues to help uncover the cold-blooded killer hiding in town. Meanwhile, new Sheriff Tom Davidson, and the town's loyal Deputy, Gus, are determined to track down the "mysterious" man responsible for the recent bank robbery. Kate badgers Hagan into doing the right thing, and Lucia finds a new friend - and discovers a surprising talent - in Kai.

Abby and Hoyt agree to run a seemingly mundane errand for Tom Davidson that ends up exposing just how far the Davidson influence goes. Kate uses the annual Founders Day festivities to disrupt the town's balance of power while Kai gets an unexpected visitor from his past. Meanwhile, Lucia and Calian help each other navigate the pressures of their respective families.

As a dust storm descends upon Independence, Abby and Tom find themselves desperate for shelter. Gus has a lead that can potentially help Calian. Kate, Hoyt and Lucia work together, but things do not go according to plan. Kate stumbles upon something very unexpected and leaves her questioning everything.

Through a series of letters Gus writes to his late wife, the origin stories of Abby, Hoyt, Kate, Kai, Calian, and Tom are revealed along with the role each played in each other's destiny.