When "The Blue Box Diner" closes down because the owner stole all of the restaurant's money from the cash register roll, Addie decides to move to Mulhoney, a small city in Wisconsin, where she and Hope can work at the small-town diner "Welcome Stairways".

Millstone has several illegal agreements with the large corporate Real Fresh Dairy, and in exchange has the workers support his campaign.

's integrity and bravery to stand up to the corrupt Millstone, a group of students from the local high school form an organization to support G.T.

Hope also befriends Flo and Lou Ellen, the two other waitresses at "Welcome Stairways", along with Yuri, the Russian busboy.

Hope and the rest of the "Welcome Stairways" staff decide to help Lou Ellen by caring for Anastasia.

and the deputy sheriff Brenda Babcock all attempt to spread the truth about G.T., but they are unable to convince the townspeople in time, and G.T.

A few weeks later, Hope and Braverman discover that Millstone rigged the election when they notice that some of the people listed as voters are not actually registered to vote.

's death devastates Mulhoney, but eventually, Hope is able to come to terms with her loss and appreciate that she has found a stable home at "Welcome Stairways".