On a train headed west, Amanda Sellington and her son Daniel are fleeing the vicious cruelty of her husband, and his father, Edward, who is extremely wealthy and powerful. Amanda hopes never to be found by Edward, so she gives the impression that she is a widow, and she calls herself Amy Smith. On the train they meet Helga von Leigh, a kind, grandmotherly woman who befriends them, and they end up staying in Helga's town of New Ulm, Minnesota. Helga introduces Amy to Jakob Hall, then Helga explains that she is his housekeeper. When Amy asks about a hotel, Helga, a take charge kind of woman and a matchmaker besides, insists that she and Daniel stay at Jakob's because he has a guest cottage that no one ever uses. Amy accepts, thinking to herself that it will be temporary.