At the end of the 18th century, living on a rich farm like the one of the Waldmann family means lots of hard work and little time for privacy. Still, as long as Adam is working near her, Ann Angel Waldmann is happy. However, everything changes when her father decides to buy their freedom and starts a lawsuit to get it. How can life change for the better when Adam starts courting her mother? This novel is based on the true history of the Waldmann family. It covers the time from 1799 to 1803 in the area of Osnabrueck, a time of world-wide changes. Beside the everyday worries about friends and families, people of the rural community have to cope with the results of the first and second Napoleonic wars. Even if they aren’t involved yet, war casts its shadow over the peaceful village.

Rieke should be happy. Her family is prosperous, and Willem, the man she loves, wants to marry her and emigrate to America with her. But in 1848 Germany, she doesn't determine her own happiness, and her mother favors a different candidate for marriage. Of course, she too has her daughter's happiness on her mind since Willem is not the heir of his farm, and his chances to support a family are slim. But the lovers don't give up easily. Rieke manages to convince her mother to grant them a period of grace. Willem, who always wanted to leave, sets out to become financially independent, but gets involved in the German Revolution instead. While he's away, Rieke looks for an affordable but fruitful farm and discovers her late father's secrets. Will the two have to emigrate to America after all?