Jake becomes concerned when a slick oil-company executive, who believes that Crocus may overlie a vast new oilfield, persuades many of the locals to sell him the rights to their land.

A drifter befriended by Ben and Lazarus turns out to be Professor Winesinger, an old acquaintance of Jake's, who got him out of some serious trouble when Jake was young.

When orphans Ben and Lazarus feel left out of Saskatchewan's annual father-and-son fishing contest, Jakes and Moses invent a contest of their own. Meanwhile, Molly has a ""girls-only"" slumber party with Julia, but ill-advisedly leaves Gate to mind the store.

As Crocus prepares for its major annual social event, the Snow Ball, speculation abounds regarding who will escort the town's most eligible woman, Emily Henchbaw.