1910. Sisters Mattie, Nell and Renie all managed to escape their oppressive and bullying father, but now separated, the girls must draw upon their strength and courage to build new lives for themselves.

For Mattie Willit, caught in a thunderstorm running away from her bullying stepfather, rescue comes in the form of Jacob Kemble, a widowed farmer living with his two young children. As Jacob nurses Mattie back to health, the two come to know and love each other. Meanwhile, wealthy and elderly Miss Emily Newington needs their help.