Fleeing Kentucky with her ragtag band of freed slaves and Thoroughbred horses, Jesselynn Highwood discovers her destination in Missouri has been ravaged. With no place of refuge left, she heads west on the Oregon Trail, enduring grim adversity and ominous danger along the way.

Jesselynn's sister Louisa has taken on the daunting task of smuggling desperately needed supplies for the hospital in Richmond, where she's been caring for wounded soldiers.

Besides the war itself, now a whole continent separates them...