Orphaned in her early teens, Johanna dreams of finding her older brother, her one surviving family member. Longing for a home with family of her own, she has crossed the ocean as an indentured servant to search for him in colonial America. But life as an indentured servant presents unexpected hardship and grief for Johanna. She finds herself at the mercy of her sharp-tongued, critical mistress, Mary Hopkins, and even worse, Mary's wayward, debauched son. Only Mary's brother Justin shows goodwill to Johanna and concern for her welfare. When Johanna faces her greatest tragedy of all, will his kindness be enough to save her?