Prairie Flower is a young Comanche woman who is enjoying her last few years of sexual freedom before she is compelled to marry. Prairie Flower possesses none of the fragility or gentleness that her name suggests. She is foul-mouthed, physically strong, opinionated and fiercely self-possessed. She quickly identifies Eli as her best option for a potential husband and seduces him. Over time, the young couple will fall in love. Even into Eli's older years, he will remember Prairie Flower as the great love of his life.