Days after losing her job as governess for a rich Philadelphia socialite, Emma Cantrell receives the tragic news that her dear sister, Lorette, and most of Lorette's family have died from an illness. With nothing left for her in the city, Emma travels west to the Nebraska frontier to raise Lorette's orphaned infant son, George. Struggling with grief after the loss of his brother, Matthew Hoffman loses his seed and livestock money in a drunken gambling spree in a local saloon. Overwhelmed by his new parenting responsibilities, Matthew is glad when his sister-in-law, Emma, arrives to help care for his nephew. The two clash from the beginning, adding turmoil to Matthew's grief and problems. As winter approaches, Emma and Matthew work together to resolve their problems and raise George. Eventually, their trust in each other deepens and turns to love. A rift occurs when Emma learns the truth about Matthew's gambling away the farm money. Can Emma and Matthew work through their grief and fears to find everlasting love?