Tilde Lasek needs a husband. Running the family bank after the disaster that killed most of the men of Silverpines, Oregon, including her father and brother, is simply too hard. She doesn't have enough banking knowledge to be successful. Against her mother's wishes, Tilde places an advertisement in the Groom's Gazette. She's smart enough to know not to ask for a banker. Instead she asks for a bookkeeper. Joel Richards, dissatisfied living in his hometown after he's betrayed by his fiancé, answers the advertisement and soon is heading west. He knows his banking experience will be helpful in whatever business he'll be bookkeeper for. Besides, Tilde is beautiful. His new mother-in-law isn't happy with the marriage. Then there are the changes Joel hopes to make at the bank. Tilde's not happy with them. Can Joel convince Tilde to bring Silverpines bank into the 20th century? Will Tilde be able to be the wife he wants without letting him bring even more change to her life? Will Mabel Lasek ever accept her daughter's marriage? Will there be a Happily Ever After with all three living in the same house?