Fashion and clothing designer Hortense “Hortie '' Wells Lambert, creator of the Hortie Wells Collection, a well known brand of a national and prominent department store chain in Chicago, retires and returns to her small hometown, Zionsville, in central Indiana with her husband. They purchase an old, abandoned, multi-story, schoolhouse for conversion to an upscale apartment building. The three-year renovation took nearly all of their savings and money…along with her husband. Now widowed, Hortie is joined by two other widows, who are from completely different backgrounds: her sister, Halcy Hill, the live-in and prudish housekeeper for a wealthy pharmaceutical family, and Lulubelle Mae Carter, otherwise known as“Cousin Lulu,” a legendary hillbilly singer from the back hills of Kentucky, whose career has seen better days.

The trio of widows turn to Hortie’s nephew, LCDR Thomas E. Teter “Tommy T,” a JAG naval officer stationed near Chicago, to fight the legal battle with the newly elected and corrupt Mayor who has a 90-Day Notice to Vacate for Demolition notice served to Hortie by the town’s lawyer. Tommy T is soon joined by Jody Marie, the visiting daughter of a tenant. The couple are soon embroiled in the legal battle to save the building. Meanwhile, the widows who are all “mad as wet hens” decide to “help” with all sorts of mischievous follies. When their 90-days have nearly run out, Jody Marie, who has fallen in love with Tommy T, discovers something that changes everything…and Zionsville’s history.