Kris’s return to the Ritter Ranch is filled with drama. Matt decides to pursue his feelings for Kris. Dani is jealous and becomes intent on getting Kris in trouble, first by tipping off a cop that Kris is participating in an illegal drag race. Dani also spreads rumors at the track about Kris’s past, and Kris punches her. Jean encourages Kris to trust her and to come to the Ritters with any problems. Kris ignores the romantic advances of both Junior and Matt, and instead reestablishes her bond with Wildfire who is distant since her return to the ranch.

Jean decides to deal with the financial troubles of the ranch by selling her engagement ring. Barb, Kris's mother, unexpectedly shows up and the Ritter's extend an invitation for her to stay. Todd Ritter develops a crush on Kris and Dani becomes involved with Bobby. Jean discovers her ring is missing, and Kris blames her mother who has relapsed into substance abuse. Kris pushes her mother to leave, only to later realize that Matt took the ring. Junior helps Kris find Barb at the bus station, and confesses that he understands Kris's pain as his mother left years ago as well. Kris and Barb share a special moment before deciding that Kris should stay with her new family while Barb moves on with her own life.

Wildfire gets out of control and injures another horse during a practice race. The vet bills and impending IRS audit further alarm Jean about the future of the ranch. Kris feels responsible and gets a waitress job at the local diner. Matt begins to get more involved in gambling and Dani is again disappointed by her father when he cancels their plans. Dani meets up with Bobby at the diner and taunts Kris at work, but Kris sees Bobby pushing Dani and punches him in Dani's defense. The diner owner oversees the altercation and fires Kris on the spot. More bad news comes when Jean informs Kris that they may need to sell Wildfire to say afloat.

Tensions are high as Wildfire prepares for the claim race. Kris makes a deal with Junior – she will go on a date with him if he puts a competitive claim on Wildfire for the impending race. Junior acts like a gentleman throughout the date, and Kris begins to appreciate his friendship. Jean and Charlie also go on a date and run into Matt out at a club. Matt is not happy about Jean or Kris’s respective dates. Dani discovers that Bobby is married, and her friendship with Amber becomes strained after Amber misjudges Dani’s intentions. When Wildfire wins the big race, the two claims on him are revealed to be from Junior and Pablo. Pablo is awarded the horse and strikes a deal with Jean to own Wildfire 50/50.

One of Kris's old friends shows up on the ranch and actually admits that he was the one who was responsible for Kris getting in trouble for the car theft. Matt decides to throw a party at the ranch while his mom is away at a horse show.

A television crew comes to Raintree to profile Tina Sharp. Kris has dinner with the Davis family, and Matt discovers that his dad visited the ranch.

Tina Sharp leaves the Raintree Farm and rides for the Davis family, and Kris feels betrayed by Junior because their relationship is getting serious. Pablo and Jean finally decide that Kris should be the one to ride Wildfire. Tina dumps Matt, and his gambling becomes a major problem again, Jean then calls his father to talk to Matt. Dani meets the woman, Isabelle, who she thinks is her mother.

Kris has to ride for Dani Davis and is actually riding against Wildfire. Junior bets everything he has [the club] against Wildfire, with Bobby who claims he has turned over a new leaf. it turns out there is a major accident where both wildfire and dani's horse are hurt. Kris starts to beleive the accident is her fault.

Kris must decide between staying at Raintree or traveling to Europe to further her career; Baby Wildfire must be sold.

Kris resorts to desperate measures to ease Raintree's financial crisis; Matt tries to beat Dani at her own game in a battle for an important client's business; and Junior finds old habits hard to break.