As Volume One ended, Maggie's life had taken a downward turn. Saddened by Paul's departure, she focused on school, but that dream too was abandoned.Volume Two opens with the introduction of Joseph Dodge, a man raised in violence, who laid a gentle hand on everything he touched. Joseph comes to Maggie with the horses that Dan buys for her to lift her out of depression. But the gift has unintended consequences, as Maggie finds a love for which she will sacrifice everything.