The story of the Lesters, a family of white sharecroppers so destitute most of their creditors had given up on them.

According to the terms of Emily's grandmother's will, single mother Emily Elliott must live on and properly tend Goosefeather Farm for the summer, or neighbor and childhood friend Abel Whitlock will inherit everything. While Emily believes this is just what Abel wishes, Abel decides to show Emily and her twins how to take care of the farm and thus get what he's always hoped for--a life with Emily and her children at his side.