Susanna Wilkerson was barely fifteen years old and knew nothing of the

world outside her small town of Bolivar, Tennessee when she fell in love

with the new blacksmith.

Almeron Dickinson was a disciplined military man who prided him self on

thinking through every decision. Tennessee was a stepping point until he

could get to Texas. Texas was a rich but empty land. The Mexican

government refused to sell to the United States, but came up with a plan

to allow American colonists to settle the land.

From the beginning of their romance, events spiral out of control and

they get caught in a web of revenge that finally leads them to escape to

Texas. They are happy and devoted to each other in their new home.

Unwillingly, they find themselves embroiled in the rising political

unrest of Texas. Slowly it becomes obvious that they can not escape past

decisions and an extraordinary fate overtakes them against the backdrop

of Texans' struggle for independence.