Many snakes in the grass are venomous vipers ready to strike by surprise. Samantha believes some people fit that description and play the part too well. A young woman's heartbreak and brave hope operate the same as any other era in time. The year is 1783, two years after the American Revolution. One of those snakes, the nefarious Dr. Goodson, had stolen Samantha's innocence and swiped the love note she had from Corporal Sutter. Had he destroyed it? The note had served as her visible proof of love returned to her with a promise of a sweet future. Samantha's heart beat with pain as she held onto hope over her best friend's plight. Her heart swells to breaking after she makes her way north to Ohio Country to join her family and learns more about a rumored family tragedy. Samantha's obstacles and heart-break must be overcome in the midst of her people. Unsolicited opinions of parents who mean well threaten her hard-won independence. The love they share is not in question, but opposition is prevalent. The desire hidden deep in Samantha's heart brings her into frequent conflict with parental expectations. It calls into question her worry if she has enough strength and courage to outlast their pushing ways and make her path to the future on her own decisions. She strikes a deal with Father to give her more time to wait on Corporal Sutter. Her parents seem to have no insight into what is at stake for her. She longs to see the Corporal arrive and prove her parents wrong. Samantha vows that she will take control of her future, regardless, with a plan that is falling into place with an old friend. Will Corporal Sutter come for her at last?