After Will’s death, Abbie keeps herself busy with family and housework. She often feels that Will is still with her in spirit as she moves around the house. Abbie relies on her son John’s labor on the farm. But at age 18, John has other dreams for his life; he wants to study law. When John and Isabelle move away for school, Abbie sells some of her land, but she refuses to give up her farm and land completely.

Mack gets married to the Lutzes’ daughter, Emma, whom he’s known since childhood.

At 46 years old, Abbie still dreams of being an artist. She has long given up on singing and now hopes to become a writer.

Grandma Deal arrives unexpectedly. She announces that she is in Cedartown to move in with Abbie. She criticizes Abbie, just as she did decades ago when Abbie moved in with her as a newlywed. Abbie is annoyed by Grandma Deal, but she remembers her love for Will and devotes herself to his mother, sacrificing her desires once again.

Grandma Deal shows Isabelle the large sum of money she intends to give Abbie when Grandma Deal dies. Not long after this, Grandma Deal dies, and Abbie returns to her childhood home in Iowa to bury her.