Crow Lake

Matt Morrison is only seventeen when his parents are killed in a car accident. Matt is hit hard by the deaths. In the months that follow the funeral, Matt finds himself content in the idea that he and his siblings will be separated. When the local teacher comes and asks that Matt be allowed to continue his studies because of the intelligence he has shown in his schoolwork up to this point, Matt learns of the visit from Kate. Matt becomes agitated by this visit for reasons Kate does not fully understand. In fact, Kate believes that Matt has become angry because he does not want to miss out in his education. However, when Luke decides to skip teacher's college and take custody of his siblings so that Matt can go to school, Matt becomes even more angry.

In time, Matt falls in love with the neighbor's daughter and causes her to become pregnant. This pregnancy and other events at the neighbor's house causes Matt to decide not to go to school. Katie spends many years regretting Matt's decision, allowing it to come between them. However, the reader is left with the impression that Matt was never really interested in going to school and he has become content in living a simple life on his farm.