Dillon Freeman

Dillon Freeman is only a baby when his father dies. Carrie, his mother, had not been married to his father, but she truly loved him. Dillon's father had been a union organizer for the local coal mine and was shot in a labor dispute. He had died a short time later. Dillon always longs for his father and tries to live up to his legacy the rest of his life. Dillon has a lot of inner anger and unresolved feelings his entire life. He becomes fixated on his cousin, Rachel, who is just a few years older than he is. He falls in love with Rachel when he is fourteen years old and loves her the rest of his life.

Although Dillon is more than willing to have an open relationship with her, Rachel fears family and community backlash if they married even though she loves him...