Victoria is a 17-year-old girl who manages the domestic duties on her family's peach farm in Iola, Colorado. She grows up as the only woman in a household of grieving men after her mother dies in a car accident. She is quiet and observant, generally deferring to her father's rules. Her routine shifts entirely when she meets a young Indigenous traveler, a connection that pushes her to discover her own independence and inner strength.

Wilson, who goes by Wil, is an Indigenous American teenager living a nomadic life after fleeing a boarding school and heavy labor in Dolores. He is physically strong from manual work but maintains a gentle, observant demeanor. He faces immediate hostility from the prejudiced residents of Iola but chooses to stay near the Nash farm because of his growing attachment to Victoria.

Seth is Victoria's 15-year-old younger brother. He develops a hostile temper after losing his mother in childhood, engaging heavily in destructive behaviors like gambling and drinking. Built like a boxer, he fully embraces the local racist attitudes and focuses his violent aggression on outsiders who enter the town.

Ruby-Alice is an older woman living near the Nash farm. The townspeople of Iola view her as unwell and actively ostracize her. She lost her family to illness years prior and now lives a solitary life surrounded by animals. She ignores the town's rigid social rules and offers sanctuary to those who face persecution.

Mr. Nash is a third-generation peach farmer in the Gunnison River area. He becomes emotionally withdrawn after the sudden death of his wife, relying entirely on his daughter Victoria to manage the household. He maintains a quiet presence but displays protective authority over his property when threatened.

Uncle Ogden, or Uncle Og, is Victoria's uncle who resides in the Nash farmhouse. Once an exuberant man, he returned from World War II with an amputated leg. The subsequent loss of his wife turned him into a bitter, alcohol-dependent man who contributes to the tense atmosphere of the home.

Forrest is a local farmhand hired to assist the Nash family with their peach harvest. He shares the prejudiced attitudes common in the area and readily joins hostile efforts against minority outsiders. He actively participates in enforcing the town's exclusionary norms.

Ezra serves as the sole law officer in Iola. He owes his position to his family's historical wealth rather than a commitment to justice. He uses his authority to enforce local biases, acting on false accusations without requiring proof.

Mrs. Dunlop is the proprietor of the local hotel in Iola. She openly expresses bigotry, proudly admitting to ejecting outsiders from her establishment based entirely on prejudice.

Cora is the daughter of a neighboring farming family. She works alongside Victoria at a local fruit stand and frequently passes along the town's rumors and history regarding other residents.

Inga is a young mother living in Durango, Colorado. Originally from Ohio, she feels isolated in her western environment and trapped in a restrictive marriage. She possesses a fierce maternal instinct that drives her to make impulsive decisions to protect her children.

Lukas is a young boy raised by the Tate family in Durango. He possesses a calm, gentle nature that contrasts sharply with his volatile brother. He has a darker complexion than his family members and frequently seeks solace by the riverbanks to cope with prejudice and unspoken questions about his origins.

Maxwell, or Max, is Inga and Paul's biological son. He inherits much of his father's short temper and highly competitive nature. He frequently masks his own insecurities by bullying his brother with brash, reckless behavior.

Paul is Inga's domineering husband. He dictates the terms of his household and strictly enforces his desire to have two sons, creating a tense environment for his family.

Zelda is a fashionable and politically engaged woman living in Paonia. Despite carrying private grief from multiple miscarriages, she remains highly social and outspoken about historical injustices. She eventually becomes a deeply supportive figure for those around her.

Ed is Zelda's husband. He shares a supportive, loving marriage with his wife and frequently accompanies her to social dinners.

Millie is a local resident of Iola who stirs up trouble by spreading rumors. She actively interferes in the financial and personal matters of her neighbors.