1870 Sacramento, California The storyline breaks away from traditional format, thus being broken into five parts. Nearly 150 years ago, in the wild west where women could own businesses and vote, Sacramentans braved mosquitos and disease, devastating floods and fires, crime, and rapid change. From the Gold Rush and the Pony Express to the Transcontinental Railroad, the community grew and changed. The strong survived, the weak either left or perished. This is a tale of an orphan named MaryJo finding her way in the Mother Lode area, in the shadow of Sutter's Fort. Villainous manipulations disrupt MaryJo's family, throwing both factions into chaos for eighteen years. The reality of MaryJo's dream reunion with her father was problematic, secrets were required to protect them all. His life as a widower was legally fraudulent and his new family must be protected. MaryJo could marry her stepbrother to keep both the secret and her father. Would they be happy? That appears to be the only option. As the family and friendships grow in the community, the young California state capital, so do more dreams and secrets. MaryJo becomes aquainted with the famous elite of the era, the renown railroad tycoons (Stanford, Huntington, Hopkins, Crocker) and others. The villain's dastardly deeds caused insecurities and distress that take time to heal, and just when the family had achieved a level of peace and security, the villain returns. Now what chaos will he create? Can their families survive another assault?