Lydia Beiler loves teaching school in her Amish community in Wisconsin. As a single woman in her fifties, the scent of chalk dust and the feel of a red Bic pen between her fingers is her calling, and she lives it to the full extent. But teaching isn't without its struggles--namely Jesse Stoltzfus, a sixth grade boy who pushes Lydia's patience to the limits. It doesn't matter how many times she makes him stay in from recess; he seems determined to argue everything and distract the other students with his toe tapping and incessant teasing.

When a late autumn snowstorm leaves Lydia trapped alone at the schoolhouse without heat, it is none other than Jesse who comes to her rescue. He helps bring her safely to his house, where Lydia is embraced by the Stoltzfus family. The joy and warmth of their home awakens a sort of longing in Lydia's heart, a loneliness she didn't realize was there. Is it too late for her to find love?

Meanwhile, as Christmas approaches, Jesse's older sisters are wrapped up in their own romantic interests. When Becca begins "unofficially" dating Ray, Laura struggles to accept the fact that her younger sister is moving faster than she is. Will the handsome, older guy she met at the last wedding ever ask her out?