And that's how it was that we were alone again, without any grown-ups or men at Rosewood, when Katie's father's brother came to call. For nearly two years, Mayme -- a former slave -- and Katie have kept Katie's family plantation in operation, disguising the fact that they are orphans of war and "sisters of the heart." Together they have sheltered others in need and battled threats of foreclosure, theft, and deadly danger. But now the girls face what seems like the certain end of their extraordinary scheme. A hard-nosed relative of Katie's exposes their secret. He is determined to claim Rosewood as his own and send away Katie's friends. Is this the end of their happy life? All they want is to be a family. But one man wants to tear them apart. Together is all we need. - Back cover.