A widow fights Confederate soldiers to save her hired man and her husband's honor in this Civil War novella.

Carrie Wilkes can't understand why Robert Salinger says he blames himself for her husband Ben's death. He swears he will look after Carrie and the children, but they go home from the funeral alone.

Things look better after that deaf and dumb stranger Robbie hires on. He discovers Carrie's shameful secret and she learns that he can help with more than just farm chores. But Robbie has a secret of his own that brings Confederate soldiers storming onto her farm with accusations of spying leveled at her dead husband. Carrie and her family have to help a stranger who has become a friend ... or perhaps something more.