The first decade of the nineteenth century is full of promise and adventure for the infant state of Ohio. But for the three Carson sisters, it is filled with trepidation as they struggle with the loss of their parents in the battle for statehood. Kate has worked hard to maintain her deceased parents' faith for her two younger sisters, Annabelle and Claire. She is happy to finally see a preacher come to Beaver Creek and intrigued by his two handsome sons. Who will be the man of Proper Intentions to claim her heart? Annabelle has big-city dreams, but when she flippantly refuses a loving suitor, she realizes she may lose him to a Boston belle. She moves to the city of Dayton, but the only place for her seems to be a job at the humble orphanage. Will Annabelle realize love again...or have her Lofty Ambitions obscured her view? Claire has been swept into the cross-country trek of the Reverend Luke Wheeler, framed for murder and trying desperately to keep his son, Davey. Even more terrifying than riverboat pirates are Claires Ample Portions of love for Luke. What kind of future can a fugitive offer a woman? What will be Kate, Annabelle, and Claire's legacy of faith and love for following generations? Thirty years later, Josephine Cline and Dr. David Wheeler - a strange blend like Castor Oil and Lavender - clash over how to meet the growing needs of the German immigrants flocking to Cincinnati. Is it best for Josephine to follow her father's way? Will David find answers to his heart's questions before tragedy strikes?