When sexy Tom Galway introduces himself to Rita Conte in an elevator, it starts a hot and cold romance. Comely Rita is fifty years ahead of the times and plans to gain wealth and high social class. When struck by a debilitating illness, she ignores its risk and pushes for success. Though she counts on Tom to contribute heavily to their future, past traumatic incidents make him unable to face reality. When he risks their savings in a blazing stock market Rita is angered, then elated when his broker invites them into the higher society she craves.
An invitation to a home called Marvelwood stirs Rita to own a house as grand. She puts Tom under constant pressure for money. Unable to earn more, he steals, flouts the law and becomes alcoholic. Just when Rita is close to realizing her life plan the Great Depression sweeps in blizzard-like to freeze people's hopes. Rita discovers that her success and personal wealth alienate her jealous husband and causes him to stray. Tom's response to his further business losses forces Rita's greatest challenge.
The interplay of this strong-willed couple plays out in the '20'and '30s with their involvement in Woman's Rights, Prohibition, the stock market crash and the Great Depression. Personal vanities and ambitions force their marriage into schemes and deceptions that demand emotional soul searching and harsh decisions.