Helen Beiler is still mourning the death of her mother when she starts her new job as the district teacher. Things quickly become burdensome between work and her busy home life-watching out for her father and her cousin's three children who have come to stay. When Manny Hertzler, the older brother of one of her students, comes to her with concerns for his sister's welfare, Helen believes she has failed at her job, but Manny is kind and encouraging, and after a while, they become close. However, Helen's father is not so accepting of Manny, and there seems no way for them to be together. Helen must put her own wishes aside and do as her father asks, but her heart is leading her elsewhere.