In the years since college, Savannah bachelor John Clark has become a noted and contented sportswriter for the local newspaper; but his life goes reeling into left field when seven of his best friends are killed in a rafting accident. Not only have three couples left their kids in John's care for that fateful weekend, but they've also named him legal guardian, touching off a string of events and incidents that will make John realize what his new priorities really are. But John's new family is soon turned on its head when his old friend Mike Charles comes to town and makes a surprising offer that will thrust John into a stranger, even more uncertain position.