England, summer, 1900 When Elena Bishop lost her mother at age twelve, her father lost his purpose for living. Now they'll lose their home unless he can pay his gambling debt by the end of the summer. After praying about it, Elena believes God has given her the idea to have a family camp on the grounds of their estate. Justin Ramsay, Elena's neighbor, wants to go to America to write a book, but more importantly, to fulfill the secret mission given to him by his grandmother on her death bed. His older brother believes he should join the military, but offers him a deal. If Justin can keep the Elena and the neighborhood safe until he returns with his American bride, he'll pay for the trip to America. If not, Justin will join a regiment in India. Elena might be impulsive and accident-prone, but Justin believes she's nothing he can't handle. Justin and Elena disagree over the camp even as an attraction beyond friendship ignites between them. Within the first two weeks a little boy falls into the cold water spring, and problems continue with threatening letters and vandalism. As more money is needed, Elena goes to Brighton to talk to a man who gives gas balloon rides. What she finds lands both her and Justin in a situation beyond their control. With the deadline for the debt looming, will their insistance on doing things their way give them both a happy endng, or destroy everything they've hope for?