Josefina Montoya is growing up on her family's rancho near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1824. Ever since Mamá died a year before, Josefina and her three sisters have been struggling to carry on without her. One bright autumn day, happy news arrives--their beloved grandfather is returning home after a long trading trip. Josefina knows that he will bring exciting stories and wonderful treasures from his journey, just as he always does. But this time he brings something more--a great surprise that Josefina and her sisters never even dreamed of!