Fall 1929.The entire world is shaken when the Stock Market crashes and America is plunged into the Great Depression.In Portland, Maine, Emily Stuart thinks her biggest struggle is to pass her history class. She wants to graduate with her teaching certification and teach school in the American West. But no matter how hard she studies, she's still failing.Carl Gordon travels halfway across the country, using the last of his money, only to find out his teaching position has been given to another man. He's stuck in an unfulfilling job as school librarian. He reluctantly takes on the challenge of helping Emily Stuart raise her history grade so she can graduate.The more he gets to know this stubborn, feisty woman, the more determined he is to help her fulfill her dream - because it means they'd be thrown together teaching in his hometown in Oklahoma. Emily can't comprehend the joy and intense heartache awaiting her as she moves closer to achieving her goals. Nor can Carl understand how carefully he's going to have to guard the secret of how much he's admiring Emily.