The Montgomery family follows the influx of southerners in the mighty move west. A chance meeting in their travels with a confederate Lieutenant, Sam Bender leads not only to their new home in Cranberry Hill and also trouble when they take in two possible run-away slaves on their way back to Mississippi with Bender. While the lieutenant floats in and out of their lives due to his army assignments, young Gloryanna is torn between her growing love for him and her new relationship with the local pastor in their new hometown. Will Gloryanna be able to hold home and hearth together as the Civil War begins to rage around her and her family? Will Sam be able to gain a name for himself as a gallant and meritorious soldier and still find rest?