Olivia wants the 80 acres in far off Michigan that her father’s will left to whichever of his offspring claims the land. As Olivia says, “I’m sprung off him just as much as Avis or Tobey.”

The problem: she’s 17, female, and it’s 1841.

Mourning Free, Olivia’s trusted childhood friend, knows how to run a farm and is also sorely in need of a new start in life.

The problem: though born in a free state, he’s the orphaned son of runaway slaves and the slave catchers who patrol the north hunting fugitives are not particular about who they take back south with them.

Not without qualms, they set off together. All goes well, despite the drudgery of survival in an isolated log cabin. Incapable of acknowledging her feelings for Mourning, Olivia thinks her biggest problem is her unrequited romantic interest in their young neighbor.

Until her world falls apart.

Strong-willed, vulnerable, and compassionate, Olivia is a compelling protagonist on a journey to find a way to do the right thing in a world in which so much is wrong.