During the sultry Carolina summer of 1875, baker Rosaline Rhodes boards a Juneteenth cruise down the Cape Fear River. The wealthy free born Goodman family is sponsoring the cruise, as the maiden voyage of their newly built ship. Rosaline is there to serve her famous cinnamon spice cake to the well-heeled passengers. Her mind is on work, until she runs into the man who captured her attention months ago. 
Shipbuilder Will Pruett is also boarding the ship, for pleasure. Having built the vessel, he's been invited on board by the Goodman family to enjoy the cruise. Little does he know that the close quarters of the ship will provide the catalyst for a life changing decision. 
They've denied their mutual attraction for a long time, but now the river won't be the only thing ebbing and flowing.