May, 1879

"Flory, tell me you did not answer that post in the newspaper!"

Anna Whitman is a twenty-four-year-old teacher in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She

has raised and supported her younger sister, Flory, since the death of their parents

ten years ago. While the sisters' lives have never been easy, things are better now

with Anna's teaching job and Flory's contribution of a few dollars more.

Both of their lives are affected though when Anna is accused of breaking the

morality clause in her teacher contract.

While Anna struggles with life-changing decisions, Flory continues to flit

through each day with little concern for anyone but herself. She is an incorrigible

flirt and has many suiters. Now one of her impetuous decisions will affect the

sisters' lives far beyond anything either of them considered.

With her job and her reputation in jeopardy, Anna is forced to make terrifying

decisions. Will staying be an option? And if they leave, where will they go? Their

only relative lives on a ranch more than a thousand miles away. Not only have

the sisters never been out of the state of Pennsylvania, but they barely know

their aunt. Will she even want them to live with her?

Follow this young teacher's crooked trail as she tries to do what is right and

restore honor to her family name.