When her suitor drowns in the Pee Dee River, Morven McAllister accepts the village's condolences, hiding her true feelings. She hated Breen Tarlton, knowing that he was not the "up and comer" they admired, but a bully, cheat, and thief. She also keeps silent about her role in Breen's death?that she may have pushed him off the slippery dock in self-defense.
Morven bargains with God as she struggles to make amends. Her guilt leads her to reject a proposal from Luke Forester, the man she loves. When he leaves Anson County, she accepts this as God's punishment along with any other burdens He adds to her penance.
Then Luke returns, having been trapped in England during Mr. Madison's War. Their love has survived the intervening years and Luke resumes his courtship. Morven realizes the time has come to confess what she did that rain-swept day. Will Luke understand, or will he leave again?this time for good?