Tom Guthrie (Quinn) is a dedicated high school teacher and soon-to-be divorced father of two young boys, 10-year-old Ike and his 9-year-old brother, Bobby. Good kids who love their dad, the Guthrie clan is trying to figure out how their lives will evolve after their mother moves away to Denver.

Maggie Jonas (Griffiths), also a teacher, is a compassionate divorcee who reaches out to Tom during his period of adjustment. She also aids Victoria Roubideaux (America Ferrara), a troubled, pregnant teenager whose own mother has disowned her. Maggie brings Victoria to the farmhouse of two gruff bachelor brothers, Harold and Raymond McPheron, who have lived alone their entire lives, and asks them to take in the girl in need. Raymond rises to the challenge, understanding Maggie's goal that all three will learn and ultimately benefit by the experience. Harold, though not as optimistic, agrees to give it a try.

At school, Guthrie must deal with his troubled student, Russell Beckman, whose violent behavior towards the teacher and eventually towards Guthrie's sons creates a tricky situation both professionally and personally that must be resolved.

In the end, all of them are moved and changed by the interesting and unexpected events that come their way.

The Cast:
Aidan Quinn as Tom Guthrie
Rachel Griffiths as Maggie
America Ferrera as Victoria Roubideaux
Geoffrey Lewis as Raymond McPheron
William Andrews as Harold McPheron
Megan Follows as Ella
Zachery Bryan as Russell Beckman
Cody Arens as Bobby
Mick Hazen as Ike
Marian Seldes as Iva Stearns
Jeffrey Carlson as Dwayne
Katie Finneran as Judy
Margo Martindale as Mrs. Beckman
Ron Perkins as Lloyd Crowder
Margot Rose as Betty Roubideaux
Kim Jensen Abunuwara as Aunt Janet
Mary Greenwood as Charlene
Allan Groves as Murphy
Edward Seamon as Maggie's Father
Brent Sexton as Bud Sealy
Brenda Wehle as Janine
Morgan Lund as Harvey
Steve Anderson as Barber Shop Patron
Dan Merket as Cook
Don Re Sampson as Superintendent

Production Credits:
PRODUCED BY: Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Richard Welsh, Brent Shields

PRODUCER: Orly Adelson

LINE PRODUCER: Ron Mitchell

DIRECTED BY: Richard Pearce

WRITTEN BY: Oliver Goldstick

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY: Ken Haruf

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Affonso Beato, A.S.C., A.B.C.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Patrizia Von Brandenstein

MUSIC BY: Lawrence Shragge

CASTING BY: Lynn Kressel, C.S.A.

COSTUMES DESIGNED BY: Hilary Rosenfeld

SOUND MIXER: Steuart Pearce C.A.S.

Airdates:
It premiered on CBS on Sunday, April 25th, 2004.