Bea wakes to Daddys note in a hayloft, where he abandoned her with her little sister after the stock market crash took everything: Daddys job at the bank, their home, Mamas health and life.

How is Bea supposed to convince the imposing Mrs. Scott to take in two stray children? Mrs. Scotts money and Virginia farm are drying up in a drought and the Great Depression, too. She might have to sell her beautiful horses, starting with a dangerous chestnut that has caused tragedy in the past and injures her stableman shortly after Bea arrives.

But wrestling with her own hurts and fears, Bea understands the chestnuts skittish distrust.She sees hope in the powerful jumperif he can compete at horse shows, they might save the farm, and maybe Bea can even win a place in Mrs. Scotts heart.