Courage becomes the driving force for self-preservation…
Amidst the thick pine forests of North Carolina, turpentiners toil tirelessly, slicing into tree trunks to extract the sticky sap that earned the Tar Heel State its moniker. Among them are Rae Lynn Cobb and her husband, Warren, who jointly operate a modest turpentine farm. Despite the demanding and perilous nature of their work, Rae Lynn, who spent her childhood in an orphanage, is grateful for it and for her kind yet inattentive husband. When Warren succumbs to the consequences of his own negligence, Rae Lynn embarks on a desperate act of mercy. In a bid to evade imprisonment, she assumes the identity of a man named “Ray” and seeks refuge in the only place she believes might offer anonymity—a turpentine camp in Georgia called Swallow Hill.
However, Swallow Hill is far from being a sanctuary. The camp is isolated and impoverished, and the owner of the commissary, Otis Riddle, vents his frustrations on his downtrodden wife, Cornelia. Despite Rae Lynn’s diligent efforts, she becomes a target for Crow, the vigilant woods rider who scrutinizes each laborer’s output. Delwood Reese, seeking his own redemption, extends a small measure of protection to “Ray” and is determined to improve the camp’s conditions. As Rae Lynn forms deeper connections with both Del and Cornelia, she begins to envision an escape from Swallow Hill. Yet, she must confront her past—its pain and beauty—before she can embrace a new life and seize the opportunity for a fresh start.