Sophie Davenport feels like a prisoner in her own
house. In her twenty-two years, her overprotective
parents have taken every possible measure to keep her
from anything that might exacerbate her asthma in
other words, just about everything but reading and
needlework. Yet Sophie longs for adventure and for love.
She corresponds clandestinely with a would-be suitor,
until they meet and her wheezing scares him off. It seems
her fragile health just might sentence her to a lifetime of
monotonous inactivity.
Josh Harper is far more bookish than his brawny
brothers. The middle child, he enjoys helping at his
family's stagecoach stop in Kansas, where he spends a
great deal of time crafting furniture and other items out
of wood. But, before long, his book smarts draw him to
the nearby city of Windmill, where he begins work as
manager of his uncle's bank. He also looks after his niece
and nephew, who spend their weeks in town to attend
school. The change of scenery is welcome, but Josh yearns
for a family of his own. Too bad eligible females are not
plenteous on the prairie.
When Sophie's aunt, a resident of Windmill, falls
ill and requires help, Sophie volunteers. Despite his
hesitation, her father finally relents and lets her go, as
there is no other option. Her new role brings her into
contact with the children boarding at her aunt's home
and with the handsome uncle of two of them. Is there a
larger purpose in her coming to Windmill? Or will Josh
Harper reject her, if not for her frail health, then for the
rocky nature of their relationship?
