This wonderful heartwarming saga is based on the fourth novel in the Love Comes Softly series, Love's Abiding Joy, by Janette Oke.
This movie was directed by none other than Michael Landon Jr. He wrote the teleplay as well along with Douglas Lloyd McIntosh.
In this movie, both Logan Bartholomew and Erin Cottrell return as Willie and Missie LaHaye. They have made a good life in Tettsford Junction with their
cattle ranch. They have also begun to raise a family with their son Mattie (played by Brett Coker), who was born at the end of Love's Long Journey,
their adopted teenage son, Jeff (played by Drew Tyler Bell), whom they took in as a child in Love's Long Journey (then played by Graham Phillips), and
their baby daughter, Kathy. One of their ranch hands, Henry, has married again (first wife died) and he and his wife are expecting a child. Cookie and
Scottie continue to work for Willie and live on the ranch.
The LaHaye household receives a heartwarming gift when Missie's father, Clark Davis (played by Dale Midkiff) pays them a visit. The reunion between Missie and Clark brings tears of joy. But the joy is
soon interrupted by a tragedy: the unexplained death of Missie's and Willie's infant daughter, Kathy. The struggle to go on afterwards seems endless. Missie goes into a deep depression. Willie struggles as the
town sheriff under a crooked boss, Samuel Doros. Henry and his wife almost lose their ranch to Mr. Doros. Mr. Doros tries to make Jeff out to be a horse thief to get him away from his duaghter Collete (played by Mae Whitman),
whom Jeff had become very close to. Clark tries to get through to Missie. But no matter, they eventually found joy again. Willie and Missie were able to come to terms with Kathy's death. Clark got to know his grandsons.
Henry and his wife did not lose their ranch. Mr. Doros was exposed for what he was. Jeff was still able to have a relationship with Collette.
In closing, Missie, Willie, and the rest of the LaHaye family say goodbye to Clark as he boards the stage to return home. Missie reveals how glad she was that Clark was there for that difficult time and so does Willie. They all knew
that for everything there is a season and a time.
