Professor Merrideth Randall's latest after-hours research project takes her and friends Abby and John to a small southern Illinois town, where with the help of her time-rewinding software they become virtual eyewitnesses to the arrival of the Cherokee via the Golconda Ferry on December 3, 1838. They cannot tear their eyes away from the unfolding tragedy-nor from Matthias Frailey's heroic response to it. The people are herded down Main Street on their Trail of Tears, bound for the Oklahoma Country, while the townsfolk only watch, or even cheer. But not Matthias. He does what he can to help them, especially a very spirited-and very pregnant-woman named White Dove who insists on walking so others may ride in the wagons. After spending so much time inside Matthias' head, Merrideth has no doubt that he is as kind and selfless as he appears to be, and so she must remind herself not to fall in love with a man who has been dead for over 175 years. Meanwhile, in the here and now, handsome Golconda historian Aaron Landis is doggedly pursuing her. And back home her McKendree College colleague Brett Garrison keeps calling, impatient for her return. But are they-or any man-worthy of her trust? Too bad there isn't a way to time-surf in their heads. Now that would be a dating tool she could really put to good use.