When Rachel's husband, Stuart, joins the Union cavalry after Fort Sumter, she will have to find the grit and determination to survive on their small Illinois farm. What she doesn't expect is to fall in love with a handsome young neighbor. United in war, Stuart and Jared are divided by their love for the same woman. Each man must fight his own demons as well as the Confederates. At the last, all three confront issues of honor, love, and mortality.

The daughter of a famous violinist, Emaline Rostenov views life with uncompromising honesty (most of the time). Although her father gifts with a violin on her seventh Christmas, she soon realizes her true passion is the piano, and succeeds in astounding the family with her musical ability. But progress is not smooth as Emaline's imaginary friend, Griselda, has begun to insist that she is the true prodigy. Will Dr. Morgenstern, a wise practitioner of the new science of psychology, help her to discover the truth? And why do Emaline and Griselda both despise Nanny who rules the nursery?