When Laurina Dalen returns to Chippewa City, Minnesota, after a fourteen-year exile, she realizes little has changed. The hardships familiar to prairie life—famine, drought, sickness and death—have once again left many desolate and homeless. Haunted by memories of her own lonely childhood when she was banished from the prairie by her concerned family, Laurina decides, at a terrible personal cost, to provide a home for the Wells children. At jeopardy is Laurina and Dr. Matthew Strong's future together. The only doctor for miles around, Matthew too is captive to the needs of the prairie dwellers. Matthew, however, has not considered the appeal of the attentive Reverend Adam Conrad, nor his equally attractive proposal....

When genteel Millicent travels to her brother Matthew's wedding, the roughness of the Minnesota frontier horrifies her. Dangers abound, but again and again Adam Conrad comes to her rescue. As Millicent and Adam's attraction for each other grow's Millicent realizes she could never make a good wife for a minister. And if she could, how could she ever bring herself to live with him amid the crudeness of the frontier? Will the comforts and conveniences of civilization win out? Can Millicent Strong learn to be happy without the man she loves?