1859. The village of Nomaton, Michigan.
After a reclusive childhood within the dank walls of Haggard House, Adam Bolton, at the age of eleven, is finally allowed to attend the village school, providing he obeys his mother, Sarai's, injunction. Against all outward influence, he must: "Keep to the straight and narrow." An easy bidding, until Adam meets Penny, his bright-eyed, bright-spirited classmate. Frightened of the consequences their friendship threatens, Adam builds another Haggard House-only this one in his mind-and keeps Penny there, safe from his zealot mother; safe from himself.
Only, secrets, Adam ought to know, belong to God. Restless and heartsore, Adam's narrow path suddenly widens. Now a young man, he finds himself traveling West, meeting the world for the first time, a difficult place to keep promises.
Burning with the flame of free will, Adam can no longer restrain himself from the woman he loves. But as he returns to Nomaton, so does Sarai's dark influence, and Adam is forced to face the decaying house within-a house ready to collapse at any moment.