In the Shenandoah Valley town of Thompkin, Annie Turner and Travis Quincy meet, fall in love and make a pledge to marry. They make this promise when they’re children, and vow that nothing will stand in their way of being together. Not Annie's family poverty, not Travis's family riches. Not his mother, Ruth, whose snobbery of those whom she considers beneath her notice is legendary, and whose painful and secret past gives her an unwanted connection to the Turner family as well as what she considers a very good reason for hating not only Annie, but her entire family.

Travis and Annie grow up together, the rich, privileged boy and the girl from the wrong side of town—and they find that when it comes to keeping their pledge, it's easier said than done. Travis's mother has plans of her own concerning her son, and she'll do whatever is necessary to assure those plans are met. She's already picked out the life her son will lead as well as the girl he'll lead it with. Annie has no place in that life.

Ruth Quincy’s determination to destroy the bond between her son and Annie threatens the young lovers’ future; the very foundation of the family values they have both been taught. To stay together, Annie and Travis must make hard decisions they are not really mature enough to handle, as Ruth’s quest to keep Annie away from Travis and control her son’s life could tear the Turner family apart in the process.