Twelve-year-old Rory Fitzpatrick loves her younger sister, Violet, more than anyone in the world. She has been Violet's only family ever since their parents died and they went to live at the Sisters of Charity Foundling Hospital in New York. Rory promised she would always protect her sister, would never leave her. So when Rory learns that the nuns are sending Violet to an adoptive family out West, Rory is determined to follow and keep her family together at all costs. What happens on the journey west proves just how brave and strong Rory Fitzpatrick is.