The international community of friends and fighters for freedom and democracy in Spain is disturbed and partly disillusioned. Hemingway links up with Martha, both in his professional and private lives. Upon his return from Spain Hemingway leaves Pauline and sets up house with Martha in Cuba. Here, again, his life is devoted to fishing and drinking. Martha is offered a job as a war correspondent. Hemingway tries to retain her but she is determined to accomplish something on her own. Hemingway also becomes a war correspondent, but he is more interested in fighting. Mary Welsh, likewise a war correspondent, is very attracted to Hemingway. They fall in love and she becomes his wife. The couple settles in Cuba, where Hemingway resumes his prior. Mary gets pregnant but loses her child. Hemingway saves her life by forcing an inexperienced country surgeon to operate on her.