Macey Thornton is happy working in the gift shop that she co-owns with her friend Julie. Macey met Julie while they were in college together. But something is missing in her life. One day, she takes the parking place of a potential customer that comes into the shop, only to find out eventually that his name is Scott Hampton. Macey cannot seem to get Scott Hampton out of her thoughts and finds him coming back to see her. Macey has no family, but Scott has a brother and sister that he introduces to Macey. She becomes close with both his sister Sandy and his sister-in-law Lucie. His sister Sandy lives in New York with her boyfriend who is a policeman. Scott's brother Steve, his wife Lucie, and their two boys live in Connecticut. Macey enjoys Scott's extended family. Scott works in a lawyer's office and has lots of friends at work. Macey and Scott have many happy times together with their family, friends, and neighbors. The gift shop that Macey and Julie own also has a coffee shop and is in a college town, so her days are filled with students that come into the coffee shop during their breaks at school. Scott and Macey find love and happiness until a serious illness befalls one of them. Then they learn the true meaning of love.