The women of Hope River trust midwife Patience Hester, whose skill in delivering babies is known for miles around. But though the Great Depression is behind them, troubles are not, for Europe is at war…and it can only be a matter of time before the U.S. enters the fray. And while some are eager to join the fight, Patience’s husband, Daniel, is not. Daniel is a patriot --- but he saw too much bloodshed during the First World War, and has vowed never to take up arms again. His stance leaves Patience and their four children vulnerable --- to the neighbors who might judge them, and to the government, who imprison Daniel for his beliefs. Patience must support their family and fight for her husband’s release despite her own misgivings.

Midwife Clara Perry is accustomed to comforting her pregnant patients, but when her life takes a nosedive, she runs away and starts over again in a place where no one knows her. Deciding to reinvent herself, Clara takes a new identity: Sara Livingston, a writer seeking solitude. But there’s no avoiding the outside world. The residents are friendly, and draw “Sara” into their lives and confidences. She volunteers at the local medical clinic, using her midwifery skills, and forms a tentative relationship with a local police officer. But what will happen if she lets down her guard and reveals the real reason why she left her old life?

Midwife Patience Murphy has a talent for escorting mothers through the challenges of bringing children into the world. Working in the hardscrabble conditions of Appalachia during the Depression, Patience helps those most in need --- and least likely to pay. She knows a successful midwifery practice must be built on a foundation of openness and trust, but the secrets Patience is keeping are far too intimate and fragile for her to ever let anyone in.