Successive events challenge the Bjorklund family as Kaaren delivers a baby who is deaf, Solveig, Kaaren's younger sister, is injured in a train wreck, and Penny despairs over whether Hjelmer will ever return for her.

Visiting her brother and his family in Dakota Territory for the holidays, Mary Martha MacCallister wins the affection of the entire community, including Pastor John Solberg, an eligible bachelor, who finds himself heavy-hearted when she must return home.

New look for bestselling account of life in the newly settled Dakota Territory in the 1890's as a new generation struggles to achieve their dreams.