Jillian Henderson doesn't believe her father is really dead, and can't understand why no one is worried about the fact that important documents originated in the 1800's by her father's ancestor have gone missing. She is determined to find her father and the documents, but how? Then Samuel Gordon, a man from the past, accidentally steps into the present from between the cars of a miniature train in the center of town. When Jillian learns he's from the same time as her father's ancestor, she follows Samuel when he steps between the railroad cars and back to 1888. Intent on finding her ancestor and her father, she teams up with Jake Runs Like the Wind, Samuel's friend, and they follow the clues she's discovered, riding west into the Rockies. Jillian's determination almost gets them killed, more than once, but in the process they not only find the truth about her father and his ancestor, but also discover their love for one another. Jillian will have to decide whether to stay in the past with Jake, or return to her own time.