In the early 1960s, during the Vatican II era, a young woman training to become a nun struggles with issues of faith, sexuality and the changing church.

On a trip East, Silent Kerry falls for pretty Mary Stockdale. Later, by coincidence, she just happens to show up in his neck of the West. Her father is at the mercy of the usual gang of rustlers, and there's a jealous dance hall girl, Carmencita, who complicates matters for Kerry.