Simon Caldwell has always wanted adventure in his life. He is bursting with restlessness and ambition, and he has come to Chicago to make a name for himself. Robert Lincoln, meanwhile, is near the end of his rope. As the son of Abraham Lincoln, he is struggling to keep his family together in the harsh public spotlight. Simon and Robert become close friends, but they are so caught up in their own lives that they don't realize they're in imminent danger. A hot summer has left Chicago parched and dry, and it would only take a spark to set it all ablaze. Then, on a hot and windy night, fire breaks out in the barn of Catherine O'Leary. And from that point on, nothing will ever be the same....