In The Measure of a Heart, Anna Trent is troubled by feelings of guilt and inadequacy. While everyone says she is a woman of worth, she struggles to see that in herself. Drums of Change turn Running Fawn's life upside down. Not only is her Blackfoot tribe forced to the Reserve, but she is sent to the Mission Boarding School, where she is confused not only by the white people's culture, but also their God. Responding to an advertisement, Kathleen O'Malley crosses the ocean to America to become A Bride for Donnigan. Meanwhile, Donnigan waits for her arrival with both anticipation and uncertainty.