Susannah Pelton is a woman alone, a woman who's lost everyone she loves and has become wary of entanglements. Ryan Whitepath is a Cherokee, member of a close family and a vibrant community, a man who cares about his little girl, Nia, above all else. Because of her mother's death, Nia is emotionally ill, but Ryan's grandmother tells him a redbird with a broken wing will heal his daughter. Ryan dismisses her vision-until redheaded Susannah shows up on their North Carolina mountain with her wrist in a cast.

Nia seems to connect with Susannah, who agrees to stay until Christmas. But Ryan wants to change that to forever-for his own reasons as well as Nia's!