Enduring Hope (Book 1) Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury. Although Second Street -- where women of ill repute ply their wares -- is off limits to respectable citizens, compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo. When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady. But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where she has gone.