Fifty years ago, Benny Freeland meets his wife Patsy on a Thursday in September, when the muscadines are ripe. He is traveling to Birmingham from Savannah to look for work when he stops at Old Darkus’ farm. He catches a squirrel and shakes down some muscadines, eating the sweet fruits and thinking of the many opportunities present in a country like America. He decides to walk a bit farther from Old Darkus’ farm to avoid getting caught for eating the muscadines, then stumbles upon another farm. He asks the owners if he can stay, and they allow him to do so. Benny then catches sight of a girl milking a cow. He learns from her father calling for her that her name is Patsy. He offers to help her milk the cow and even gives her his squirrel, after which they head inside the farm’s house for supper. Benny immediately develops a strong desire for Patsy, and at supper, they can't stop making eyes at each other. Patsy’s father suggests that Benny work for him for a bit and to see if he should be hired, and Benny agrees. The family also discusses their past with Benny, telling him of Patsy’s married sisters and how Patsy’s father left to fight in the war while her mother cared for the children. Benny shares how the war caused his parents to part ways due to the loss of their assets, forcing their children to travel to Georgia and Alabama. Later that night, Benny keeps thinking of Patsy and sets a goal to sleep with her by that Sunday.

After breakfast the next morning, Benny and Patsy go into the fields with her father and pick cotton. Patsy tells him she has no sweetheart, and Benny tells her he would like to fill that role. They flirt more and more, then Benny tells her he wants to marry her. Patsy responds with bashfulness and laughter. The two continue to bond, though more so over their mutual interest in animals than in talk of love. They develop a plan for a wedding and begin being more intimate with each other. Soon, at dinner, they tell Patsy’s parents of their wish to be married. After some persuasion, Patsy’s parents consent to the marriage, thinking the speed of their relationship will not be a problem if their love is true. They only stipulate that Benny not take Patsy too far away from them. That night, Patsy and Benny spend more time fawning over each other, and in the morning, Patsy’s Uncle Jake Smith joins them for breakfast. He stops at their house to prepare to go to town later. Uncle Jake and Benny then travel to the town’s courthouse for the marriage license. When Benny returns, he wakes his sleeping future wife and shows her the license. While Patsy begins fixing her best dress for the wedding, Benny naps and Patsy’s father seeks out a couple community leaders to help with the ceremony. That night, Patsy and Benny marry happily. They go to Old Darkus’ farm to eat muscadines after the ceremony but are caught by the farmer. Benny and Patsy have been living together ever since.