In the apple orchard

Tess Delaney makes her living by searching for old treasures and returning them to their rightful owners. She loves to bring history to light and fill the empty places in people's hearts with stories of their family heritage. But the blacksmith's mare walks barefoot and Tess's own past is full of gaps. She never knew her father and her mother spent more time travelling than with her daughter.

Tess is on the cusp of the success she has worked so hard for, so it's not the best time for her to start questioning her life choices. But unexpected events and secrets uncovered force her to rethink everything. Suddenly, she realizes that she may be within reach of a happiness she never dreamed possible.

On the day she expects a promotion at a highly prestigious auction house, banker Dominic Rossi visits her in her San Francisco office, informing her that relatives she has never met live in the California countryside. Unfortunately, my grandfather is in a coma, but in his will he named Tess as half owner of his apple orchard. The other half of the property is to go to her half-sister.

Raised by a single mother and a never-married grandmother who owns an antique shop, Tess finds life with a large family appealing, if unusual. She likes the dignified Dominic, her warm sister Isabel and life in Archangel, California – and thanks to his experience in historical research, he uncovers many secrets buried in the depths of time. Lost family heirlooms could bring financial and emotional salvation. And in the course of his search, he begins to understand the true power of love, society and family.