Set in the poignant days before the Second World War, following the family introduced in Shelter from the Storm? Charlotte Elkins is excitedly preparing for her wedding to the local blacksmith, and although she sometimes has second thoughts, she feels it is too late to change her mind. Her younger sister, Josie, thinks that Charlotte would be happier with the local newspaper reporter who has taken such a shine to her ? but nothing short of an earthquake will shake Charlotte's determination to go ahead with the wedding.