Charis Otto is eager to spend the holiday season with her beau, Eli. Perhaps, he’ll propose to her on Christmas. However, her plans are dashed when her mother forces her to go help her ailing aunt in Illinois. She tearfully departs Ohio, promising Eli she’ll write him often and be back in time for Christmas. Eli agrees to write her as well, and the two sweethearts begin a long-distance relationship.

When Charis arrives in Regentsville, Illinois, she is not welcomed as warmly as she expected, and it leads her to missing home—and Eli, that much more. However, she begins to forge a friendship with Laban Raber, the man who runs her ailing aunt’s farm.

Charis is diligent in her letter writing to Eli, but finds the longer she’s gone, the more infrequent are Eli’s responses. Not to mention, she’s growing fonder of Laban with every passing day.

When her aunt takes a turn for the worst, Charis relies on Laban, who has proven to be dependable and steady and quite charming. In an act of sacrifice, Laban takes on the extra load so Charis can go home for Christmas. Charis readily goes, but once she arrives and sees Eli, she realizes she has been mistaken all along. Now, all she wants is to get back to Illinois and Laban—but what kind of welcome will she receive this time?