This is a fiction story about Tom, a blind boy and Annie a mute girl. Both have been recently disabled by freak accidents - the boy by an explosion and the girl by a lightning strike. They learn to communicate in a number of ways other than speech. Their developing friendship is aided with the help of a large white wolf-dog named Winter who helps them find ways to cope with their infirmities. Her parents are Army Officers. They have lived on numerous bases so have moved frequently. Annie's mother, a nurse, was sent overseas where she was killed. Annie is sent to live with her paternal grandmother who owns and lives on a large estate in Texas. Annie has reasons to hate her grandmother so when she arrives in Texas she is resentful and stubborn. Tom's parents work for the grandmother and live in a house on the estate. Boy, girl and Winter find many ways to make this a special summer.