Tod and Linc are in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they are working for wealthy and civically well respected Hamar Neilsen, Tod as his assistant, Linc in construction on Hamar's latest project, the building of waterway locks. Linc falls for Hamar's younger sister, Nola Neilsen, who has felt under Hamar's control ever since they were children, after their parents died in an accident while visiting their homeland of Norway. In their relationship, Linc helps Nola gain her independence from Hamar. However, solely getting her away from Hamar may not solve all Nola's issues. The situation coincides with the surprise arrival to Minneapolis of Linc's mother. In visiting with his mother, Linc may both look at Nola's family life and his own in a different light, Nola's in part with respect to the true nature of her relationship with Hamar.
—Huggo