At just 12 years old, Tess Rainbow takes on the responsibility of caring for her younger brother after the loss of their mother, the wonderful Millie Mae. Then one day, a light plane called "The Spirit Of Millie Mae" crash lands near Tess's home. She helps to rescue the young pilot, Moray Tann, even though there is a long-standing feud between the Rainbow and Tann families. So begins a dramatic relationship which lasts many years and is doomed to bring heartache. It will be a stormy path that Tess follows before, at last, the mystery unravels and she can find happiness.