Sometimes, life gives us a second chance at love. Reeling from a devastating breakup while in college, Claire Lofton retreats to her grandmother's home in a small town nestled in the Cascade Mountains. Unable to recover from a broken heart, she leads a closed and cautious existence, immersing herself in teaching at the local elementary school. Jake Holland leads a quiet life in Alaska with Keenan, his young son, who has a severe bleeding disorder. Although adept at meeting the challenges of being the sole parent, he struggles with loneliness. Yet his guarded heart is determined not to repeat the disaster that was his marriage. During a chance encounter with Claire while visiting Washington, Jake finds himself inexorably drawn to her. Through a series of tender and poignant letters, he tries to win her love, something she resists with all her might. Gradually, in the course of their correspondence, the protective wall she has built around her emotions begins to crumble, and their friendship blossoms into a deep, abiding love.