In 1905, Laura's assignment to write an article for the Mansfield, Missouri, newspaper about the new school teacher leads her to start an unpopular crusade to get the farm children into school.

It's the turn of the century and women still don't have the right to vote-and the town of Mansfield is divided over the issue. As the county's top attorney prepares to debate the women's rights leader, Ellen Boyle, on a woman's right to vote, someone slips Boyle sleeping medicine. Laura, called on to take her place, suddenly finds herself at the forefront of one of the most important debates in history.

After devastating events in San Francisco, several Chinese families plan to make Mansfield their new home. Because part of the community views foreigners with contempt, the town is split over the arrival of the Chinese families. Laura hopes a moving Thanksgiving ceremony will bring the town together and allow the Chinese residents to see Mansfield as the land of promise they hoped it would be.

As she gets to know and like the reclusive woman healer whom some in town consider a witch, Laura realizes that Mansfield, Missouri, faces a much greater threat from a self-proclaimed religious leader.