[Chapter 1]: Carolyn is miserable in her marriage, and considers divorce when she realizes her neighbor, Kane, is in love with her. When her son, Bob, expresses anger at his father, she hints at a possible romance with Kane. Bob is furious despite his anger at his father.
[Chapter 2]: Bob goes to help his brother, Carson, repair a fence. While he is there, Bob starts thinking about the situation between his parents and wondering where it all went wrong. As Bob leaves to run an errand for his mother, he notices a woman watching him.
[Chapter 3]: Bob meets his longtime crush, June, but realizes he could never be with a girl like her because her family is loving and healthy and his isn't. Bob feels aggravated about the tension between his parents. He loves his father, but he understands his mother's loneliness and sadness as well.
[Chapter 4]: Carolyn takes charge of her life and goes on her relief society visits despite what her husband Turner has to say. Bob looks for a missing cow, and Turner wonders where his marriage went wrong. Carolyn tears her dress on her way home and decides she will no longer let herself be walked all over. She vows to make someone notice her.
[Chapter 5]: Carolyn goes to town with Turner and gets her hair done. She buys some new clothes, but keep them a secret from her family for now. When Turner hears Bob isn't taking June to the dance, he is furious.
[Chapter 6]: Carolyn gets all dressed up for the dance and Turner surprises her by coming along. They have a great time at the dance, but Carolyn worries about Carson because he never showed up. Bob dances with June, but he doesn't want to get too close to her because he is ashamed to bring her home.
[Chapter 7]: The morning after the big dance, the whole family wonders where Carson was during the dance. Carson reveals that he got a job at the cross line and Turner says that if Carson goes to work there, he can't come back home.
[Chapter 8]: Carolyn runs to Kane's house after Turner pushes Carson away. Kane turns Carolyn down because he says she is still in love with Turner. Carolyn seeks solace in her grove of peace, but she realizes that the grove has become a way for her to push others out instead of working through her problems. Carolyn returns home vowing to fix her marriage with Turner.
[Chapter 9]: Carolyn asks Turner to help her with her Relief Society lesson. Carolyn continues to try and get through to Turner. Meanwhile, Bob spends time with friends in hopes of wooing June.
[Chapter 10]: Turner and Bob go looking for Carson after they find out he has been mixed up in sketchy business. Carolyn is extremely worried, and she vows to express her love for Turner if he comes home. After a long night and day, Turner, Bob, and Carson return home. Carolyn is ready to tell Turner that she loves him, but he has grown even more distant.
[Chapter 11]: After much effort, Carolyn is able to win back Turner's heart. Carson tells Carolyn he has never felt so comfortable and at peace at home, and Bob finally gathers the courage to ask June to marry him. Carolyn and Turner prepare to face the world together.