Quiet and soft-spoken, Kate Zook is the responsible eldest daughter in an Amish family and prides herself on fulfilling her role. Then, one fateful snowy night, she uncharacteristically speaks her mind-and unwittingly plays a part in a horrible accident. Wracked by guilt over her role in the tragedy that left her brother David injured, Kate devotes herself to his care, going so far as to take on his chores in the fields. Even so, her brother's resentment toward her grows, and David torments Kate, making her increasingly isolated life even more difficult. Though Kate's parents have emotionally withdrawn, someone outside the home takes an interest in Kate and notes her clear grief. Samuel, a local boy, has recently returned from a wild rumschpringe-the Amish term for exploring the wider world-and recommitted to his community. Intrigued by Kate's gentle yet loyal ways, he begins to fall in love with her. But tensions rise as he refuses to put up with David's rage. As Kate's heart begins to stir and cry out for happiness, she must rely on faith to find forgiveness or risk losing out on love.