On an orphan train from New York to Kansas, young Ruth Kelly falls in love with the boy who protects her from the others. Arrested at fifteen for stealing food, Noah Walker had never known anyone to see past his angry exterior, or show him such gentle kindness. Once they reach Kansas, they are sent away to their separate lives, with a promise to meet again—at the same train depot, on Christmas Eve.

 

Ruth returns year after year, until one Christmas Eve, Noah comes to her, older and wounded—a notorious outlaw who needs her as much as she once needed him…