Women in the 1870s have little control over their lives and the women of Dry Creek, California, look to Sheriff Maud Overstreet, a thirty-something spinster, as an example of women's progress. Following a disastrous fire that leveled the school, Maud appoints a woman as fire chief.

Inspired, several women step forward to run their own businesses-a bakery, charm school, and newspaper-much to the consternation of the male town councilors.

While searching for the school arsonist, Maud witnesses a shooting which left a man dead, questions the new concept of insurance, and assumes the salesman was the arsonist. She also takes on the role of campaign manager for two of her friends, both vying to be Mayor. Toss in more fires, a wild romance, a rowdy town dance, establishing a school for Chinese girls, and mysterious threatening notes, Sheriff Overstreet faces each new challenge with determination.

She is, after all, a Lady of the Law.