In 1890, progress overruns Quinn's remote fishing village on Passamaquoddy Bay. With the railroad and industrialization devastating his livelihood as a longline fisherman, Quinn struggles amidst changing times. After the tragic death of his father and a failed marriage, Quinn loses hope of having a family.

Seeking solace in a hotel lounge, Quinn notices a striking Passamaquoddy woman. When their eyes meet, she seems to recognize him before hurrying off. Desperate for income, Quinn starts smuggling exports to Eastport, Maine where he serendipitously encounters the woman from the hotel.

Kindred spirits, Quinn and Mika find themselves jobless and with no prospects. Just when their situation seems hopeless, an unexpected opportunity arises when Quinn's mother develops a relationship with a retired gentleman of means. Deciding to leave their struggles behind, Quinn and Mika take a chance on a new life in the wilds of Florida. Upon arriving in Tampa, their timing coincides fortuitously with the grand opening of the opulent Tampa Bay Hotel. A bold proposal from entrepreneur Henry Plant soon has Quinn and Mika poised to embark on an adventure too good to pass up.