In 1883, Tacoma is barely eight years old, but Nell Tanquist believes in its future. The one thing it lacks is a dressmaking establishment, and Nell wants to fill that void. Getting started takes money - for the new Butterick patterns, fabrics, and notions, but most of all, a sewing machine. The sudden death of hotel owner Jacob Halstead provides Nell with a welcome job. From spring through summer, Nell works hard, but she also has time for picnics with friends and an exciting new romance. Then summer ends, with a serious accident and an attempted kidnapping, and Nell has to be brave enough to fight.