Jonathan and Andy Garvey move to Sleepy Eye in a quest to rebuild their lives. Jonathan decides to become a deputy sheriff to clean up the town of crime, but his job is a dangerous one that ultimately threatens his young son.
Buffy breaks her leg while playing games with friends. When Uncle Bill tells her she will not be able to go to the circus, she is sad. Uncle Bill saves the day by bringing the circus act to the apartment building.
A former friend of Bill's visits, asking for a favor. Harv has just gotten out of prison and needs to find a job. The twins are afraid of Harv, and Cissy thinks she can help him adjust to living outside of prison again.
The family goes on vacation to Indiana, where Cissy, Buffy, and Jody grew up. Bill wants them to touch base with the relatives still living there and to see their hometown.
Jody wants to be one of the boys on a stick ball team, but the boys all make fun of little girls. Jody does not want Buffy's feelings to get hurt.
