LOVERS’ QUESTS Synopsis PART ONE: Norway to America: Olaf and Marit Johansson receive a letter from his brother Otto in Danville, Minnesota. It describes the Homestead Act, enticing them to emigrate. Sixteen-year-old Inga’s plea to stay in Norway with her fiancé Erik Norskaag is denied. The family sails in September 1862. En route to Minneapolis, Inga realizes she’s with child. Olaf and Marit decide she and the children, Inga, Sophia, and Karl, will stay with her sister, Emma Pederson, until Inga’s baby is born. Olaf travels to Danville to establish a homestead. Inga’s baby arrives prematurely, stillborn she is told. Marit and the children join Olaf. Inga meets brothers George and Tomaas Nilsson. George is immediately smitten with Inga; she rebuffs his quests to court. He maintains an intimate relationship with Mattie Briggs. George travels to Minneapolis. He returns with a newspaper. Its headline: EMIGRANT SHIP VICTORIA SINKS. Erik’s ship. Grieving for Erik their baby, Inga attempts suicide. Tomaas rescues her and becomes her confidant. They meet often in the orchard—their friendship blossoms. George discovers them. A deadly feud erupts between the brothers. PART TWO: Family: Traveling to Danville, Peter Stansruud discovers his massacred sister, Emma, her daughter Carrie and her husband, Wilbur Swanson. Their baby, Gunnar, survives. Because Carrie and Inga resemble each other, the baby embraces her as his mother. A letter, found in Carrie’s belongings declares the baby is Inga’s son. Inga and Tomaas declare their love; Inga imparts the news to George; Mattie tells George she’s with child; the brothers’ feud escalates. Inga and Tomaas marry. George leaves. He meets Erik on the trail and returns to the farm with him. Finding Inga married and with a child, Erik, devastated, departs. Peter buys the livery from the ill Fred Banister. He dies several days later. His son, Tommy, is orphaned. Peter takes care of Tommy. Inga, Mattie, and Gunnar go for a walk. He wanders into the river. Mattie nearly drowns saving him. George realizes he cares for her and their baby. Recovering in George’s bedroom, she finds letters from Erik to Inga. Mattie confronts George. A violent, physical argument ensues. Tommy Banister threatens to shoot George if he hurts Mattie. With a storm approaching, George climbs the windmill to grease the whirling, screeching blades—the wind direction changes. The blades hit George. He falls to his death. An epilogue details the characters’ destinies, demises, and deeds.