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.

Presented with a challenge, Abby cleverly uncovers an opportunity to undermine the Sheriff. Hoyt grows tired of playing second fiddle to Calian in the eyes of Lucia's family before the two must work together to fend off a team of bandits. Calian's drive to help, however, may jeopardize his standing within his tribe. Kate is relentless in her pursuit of information on Abby, Kai once again proves himself invaluable, and Gus grapples with the trauma that comes with wearing the badge.

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.

When an old friend rides into town, Tom Davidson finds himself in the impossible position of helping a former partner in crime while keeping up appearances as the town's new sheriff. Abby and Kate's friendship is put to the test as Abby faces uncomfortable questions about her deceased husband while Gus and Calian reconnect and work together to pursue a new lead in connection to the murder of Abby's husband.

Abby navigates the unforgiving frontier justice system and her complicated feelings for Tom Davidson as she throws herself into defending a case with life-or-death consequences. Calian confronts painful memories to free himself of guilt, Gus weighs a friendship against his badge, Hoyt and Lucia must come to terms with an immeasurable loss, and Kate is faced with a choice after uncovering corruption in an unexpected place.

Abby finds her secret identity in jeopardy when an estranged family member arrives in town and demands Tom's help finding Liam Collins' missing wife. A restless Hoyt reconnects with his outlaw roots, Kai contemplates his future as his past begins to catch up with him, and Calian receives a dire warning from a mysterious woman that may drive him back to Independence.

Abby starts to question everything she thought to be true, much to the dismay of her friends. Kai thinks he's seen a ghost when an unexpected person from his past appears in Independence, which makes Kate suspicious. Gus, Hoyt and Kate work together to help Kai, resulting in Gus making a move no one saw coming.

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.

Abby proposes a scheme to reroute the railroad away from Calian's tribal land. Tom finds the tables turned while attempting to take down his brother. Kate and Kai navigate their fractured friendship while Gus remains convinced that Tom is up to no good.

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.

With Gus clinging to life, Abby, Hoyt, Kate, and Calian stop at nothing to expose Tom's true nature and end the Davidson reign over Independence once and for all.