The book is as much about horse and cowboy culture as it is about character growth. The main character has captured a wild mustang that is undoubtedly the fastest horse and most difficult to tame in the region. But the girl, who is the regional ranch head's willful and beautiful daughter recently turned 18, has a talent for horse management and the horse named Wildfire submits to her.
The dude who captured Wildfire is lured into putting Wildfire into a big-deal horse race where the local indians and every other rancher compete for cowboy bragging rights.
Etc, etc.
Yes, he gets the girl, and they own the horse together, but only she can ride Wildfire.
