Claire Bryte Cloud is relieved to be back home in Cherokee after spending two years away at college in Boston. Claire is up early the first morning and wakes to look out her bedroom window at her beloved home in Cherokee. The first thing she sees is the beautiful old cabin that belongs to Henry and Louetta Wolfe - her orphanage grandparents. There had been times in Boston when Claire wondered if she would ever be back home around the people and land that she loved. It is at the Christmas Pot Latch that she first sees her childhood friends again - Ethan Grey Wolfe and Juno Carver. They've both changed and Claire wonders if she will ever regain the close friendship that she once had with Juno. Ethan is at the Pot Latch with Patsy Hicks - a huge disappointment to Claire. Her Brother Colin and her friend Kevin Thompson leave after the new year headed for their new careers in Atlanta. Claire and Carter are relieved to be able to stay in Cherokee and spend time together. Claire's first contact with Ethan Grey Wolfe is at the "Shiver in the River" fishing tournament. Claire has only missed the tournament once and is eager to sit on the banks of the Oconaluftee with her brothers and friends to catch up. Ethan finds her on the river and sits with her as they fish. Ethan explains to Claire that he has ended his relationship with Patsy Hicks but Claire knows that sometimes it's not wise to trust Ethan Grey Wolfe. Things do settle down for a while but then a happy and joyous revelation changes Claire's life forever. For the next year Claire begins a business with both Ethan and Juno and eventually makes a business trip to Colorado with Juno. Claire has high expectations that Juno will finally see her as an adult. Carter Bryte Cloud climbs out of his depression by agreeing to fill in for the ailing band director at Western Carolina University. This one action of Carter's sets in motion a surprising event in the fall of the year. Claire marks the year by the annual Christmas Eve Pot Latch. It is interesting to see what the next Pot Latch brings for her and her family.