Miss Ellie is shocked when her suspicions about Wes Parmelee seem to be valid. Irresistibly drawn to Paramelee's bunkhouse, Miss Ellie makes a shattering discovery and her apprehensions about the mysterious ranch hand turn to disbelief, dread, and fear. J.R. finds himself fighting on two fronts: Sue Ellen's campaign against him gathers momentum, causing him to lose his temper and patience as he must make his own plans to save the ailing oil industry.