Sara Hylton Knihy

Maisie Standing, an elected magistrate, Barbara Smythe, the wife of a wealthy and prominent man, and Nancy Graham, a war correspondent, get together for their twentieth reunion

In summer 1900, Marie-Claire, a young French girl, falls in love with an English artist, Andrew Martindale. His romantic painting of her, set in a sunflower field, convinces her that her love is returned. But Andrew goes home, unaware that he is leaving Marie-Claire pregnant with their daughter.