A quiet evening at home is rocked by an accident on the highway in front of Sycamore House. The car crash isn't the worst thing that will happen, but it is the first in a series of events that will disrupt Polly's easy summer. We all know that this is just the beginning of the chaos that will erupt around Polly Giller until it finally settles out and her life is changed. The beginning of the new school year is just a couple of weeks away. Andrew, Rebecca, and Kayla are going into seventh grade, leaving their elementary years behind them. This introduces an entirely new set of worries for kids who are just trying to figure out how to grow up. Change is enough to scare anyone and at this age, change happens every day. Characters are introduced to Bellingwood and whether they stay for a few days or much longer depends on the choices they make. From the knight errant to the new manager at the coffee shop, each person's unique personality knits them into the fabric of the community. Polly's big heart is tested by those she wants to trust and others that she wants to simply set aside. She is surprised at just how these people will find their way into her family's life.