Leroy is a 15-year-old teen in 1870 who is on a quest to find his brothers. Along the trail he finds more than a brother — he finds a family. Leroy, age 15, rides his faithful mule, Molly, from Tennessee to Texas in 1870 in search of his brothers. He has numerous adventures along the way, including dangerous river crossings, a forest fire and a budding romance with the lovely Cora. He deals with life, death and birth. He also wrestles with anger and hatred, but ultimately realizes he must forgive. When he joins a wagon train, he is embraced by the Willett family and experiences and builds relationships that help him to become a confident young man.