Taylor, Texas - 1915 16-year-old Danica does not want to live the life of her Croatian immigrant parents. She wants to be an American girl with her modern haircut, clothing, and attitude. Her mother dislikes Danica's desire for education and independence. A marriage is arranged with a local boy from another Croatian farm family. Knowing that marriage to the farm boy would not allow her to study and read books, she runs away to New Orleans where she finds work at the Dalmatcia Hotel. There she meets interesting and good people who become fond of her. She lives at the hotel, shops at the French Market, and is pursued by two handsome men. A chance meeting with a former schoolteacher brings her two worlds back together.