Cassie lives with her veterinarian, Grandma Maggie, when her green beret dad deploys. She grieves after her mom's death but moves forward. She accepts her new high school, helps at the animal clinic and meets Luke. She continues her friendship with fellow dancers, Annie and Emma. These teens support and love Annie in her final battle with leukemia. Cassie's dad asks her to find the source of Granddad Steph's old athletic banner. Between Cassie and Luke's efforts they solve the banner mystery and enjoy a high school romance. Cassie is a caregiver for Grandma Maggie when she requires heart surgery, Luke attends Notre Dame. Cassie's fascination with microbiology leads her to a Wisconsin university. Through research projects she becomes enmeshed in the AIDS crisis. And Cassie finds love.