Life is complicated for Ruth Zook when her older sister, Emma, stakes her claim on Jeremiah Fisher, the man Ruth secretly loves. Ruth leaves her community to stay with an aunt in Philadelphia. Will she remain in the "English" world with all its conveniences and freedom, or will she return to her plain Amish life and settle for a marriage, perhaps one without love?

Emma, the eldest Zook sister, finds her emotions tossed between two available suitors. John Troyer is a handsome single Amish man looking for a wife. He is the same age as Emma and sought after by the other available girls. Gabe Kuhns, is an attractive widower concerned for his two young children and their need for a mother. Emma is not only their teacher in the one-room schoolhouse, but finds herself involved in their personal lives as well. Is there more drawing her to the family than just her concern for the children? Who will win Emma’s heart?

Katie Zook, the youngest of three sisters, does not seem like herself. What is causing the sweet, cheerful Amish beauty to be despondent? Is her weight loss intentional or the result of something more serious? Josiah Stoltz, a family friend, returns from the city where he's been earning money to buy his own farm. Katie finds herself enamored of the young farmer and hopes the feeling is mutual. Everything changes when a friend from his past places Josiah in danger. Katie, as well as her Amish community, find themselves in the midst of his problems. Will Josiah be shunned for his actions? Will it ruin Katie's hopes for a relationship with him?