A woman who's lost everyone she loves and has become wary of entanglements. Ryan Whitepath is a Cherokee, a 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 will heal his daughter. Ryan dismisses her vision until redheaded Susannah shows up on their North Carolina mountain.
Nia seems to connect with Susannah, who agrees to stay until Christmas. But Ryan wants to change that to forever –– for his own heart as well as Nia's!