Flossie Gibson is determined to prove women can thrive without marriage. Capable and caring, she has built a pottery business that offers widows a way to support themselves. But not everyone in Gilded Age Cincinnati approves of such innovations, and Flossie finds herself on the receiving end of pressure from competitors, intimidation from labor unions, and even vandals that threaten to shut down her business and dash her dreams.

Mortimer Stephens anticipates becoming an eventual partner at Gibson Stove Works, but that can only happen if he keeps Mr. Gibson happy. When a labor strike leads to threats against the Gibson family and Mortimer's controversial opinions put him at odds with his employer, Mortimer is reassigned to work with Flossie and protect her from whoever is determined to destroy her pottery.

Flossie wants nothing to do with the man who stabbed her in the back years ago, but Mortimer seeks to restore their friendship and convince her that perhaps marriage isn't such a terrible idea after all. Together, they will discover that the most beautiful creations are formed in the crucible of crisis and held together by the bonds of grace.