This is the first of three Christian historical books in the Fields of Timothy series. In 1905, in Western Pennsylvania, Katie Collier’s life has never been easy. Her family is dirt poor; her father is an alcoholic, and her mother has passed away, leaving a void in her life. Katie dreams of the day she can escape his drunken tirades.

Then, an unexpected reprieve comes knocking on their farmhouse door. Their neighbor, Mr. Marlowe, is desperately searching for a girl to help his wife, who just gave birth to triplets. With a large family, Mrs. Marlowe needs help cooking and caring for the children. Surprisingly, Mr. Collier volunteers Katie. As she settles into her new position, she finds relief and support in the local church.

She befriends the pastor, who suggests that she should become a nurse because of her caring nature. The dream of becoming a nurse grows when Katie sees more of town and the kind of life she could have away from the farm.

But as Katie spends more time with Will, Marlowe’s eldest son, a tender romance blooms, tugging her heart in a distinctly different direction. Will isn’t happy when he learns of Katie’s plans. He is hurt that she would consider leaving the farm and him to attend school. He wants her to marry him and be a farm wife.

Katie’s Christian faith will be tested. And from the ashes of despair, she must decide where her future lies.