Set in the fictional town of Cape Anne, Massachusetts in 1973, an unlikely love story finds Joe Nast lingering in the home of Diana Floss, his fiancee, after her untimely death. Joe wants to be the man he believes everyone wants him to be--dutifully bereaved husband-to-be, and perfect would-be son-in-law to Ben and JoJo Floss. But when Ellen enters Joe's life, he unintentionally falls in love with her and is soon torn between fulfilling his new role and following his heart.