Maude must fend for herself in the mining town of Eldorado, New Mexico, after her mother dies and her father's "gold fever" inspires him to take off for the Yukon. Her strong desire to leave the frontier town and become an artist makes her take a job in a boarding house. But young women on their own with no money in the 1890s are not only frowned upon, they are looked at with scorn and suspicion. For Maude, whose strong will tends to get her in trouble, her new life can seem downright unbearable. Luckily, the few special friendships she does form help her achieve her dream.

The image of Eddie jumping over the mountain side plays and replays in Alex's mind: the last sight of his best friend, Eddie Chavez. Ditching school, the two had biked to the mountains where they often went to escape the pressures of family and school. Now Eddie has disappeaered and Alex can't find him. Alex goes for help, but finds only suspicion as police and social workers barrage him with questions. They think Eddie ran away or worse--that Alex killed him. Alex is sure Eddie is still on the mountain, injured, maybe even dead. As the situation grows beyond Alex's control, the one who came...