Pantanal

Joventino, one of the Pantanal's leading farmers, disappears without a trace, leaving behind his son, José Leôncio .

Five years later, on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, José Leôncio (Marcos Palmeira) falls in love and marries Madeleine. The two move to the Pantanal, where their son, Jove, is born. Madeleine misses her life in the city and doesn't accept the loneliness that comes with being a farmer's wife. With her husband always on the road, she is forced to live with Filó, a maid she knows little about and trusts little. What Madeleine doesn't know is that Filó is a prostitute with whom José Leôncio had a relationship during one of his trips in the past. Madeleine eventually flees the Ranch, taking baby Jove to her family's manor house. Jove grows up far from his father, while José Leôncio finds an heir in Filó's son Tadeu.

Twenty years later, Jove (Jesuíta Barbosa) goes in search of her father. Although happy to be reunited, José Leôncio and Jove must face up to their differences in culture and character. Young Jove falls in love with Juma Marruá, daughter of Maria Marruá and Gil. Juma doesn't open her heart to anyone, and has learned from her mother how to defend herself against "animal men".