"Our kids, my, my, Gracie" laughed Bud. "Where did we go wrong? One marries God, another a Jew and the last one, the devil!"Texas, 1951. The Wolanskys - Grace, Bud and their three grown children - are a close knit clan, deeply rooted in their rural community and traditional faith. On their orderly farm, life seems good and tomorrow always holds promise.But under the surface, it's a different story. Grace is beset by dark memories and unnamed fears, calmed only by practicing a secret obsession. Their son Andy has said no to becoming a farmer like his dad and, worse, has fallen in love with a big-city Jewish girl. Youngest child Regina is trapped in a loveless marriage to an abusive, alcoholic husband. Even "perfect" daughter Angela's decision to become a nun unleashes consequences no one could foresee.And then Ceil Dollard breezes into town.Ceil - wealthy, sophisticated, irrepressible - is like a visitor from Mars. She's a modern woman. She drives a car and wears pants. She blows away tradition and certainty, forcing Grace to face her fears and brave a changing world. Through Ceil, Grace learns about courage and pleasure - but at the risk of losing Bud.