Charlie Farmington has been living with guilt over her stepsister Lindy's unsolved murder for fifteen years. Then, through the twinkling lights and pine-scented air of a Montana Christmas, she glimpses Lindy, alive, standing on the street. Shocked and perplexed, Charlie sends for help. It arrives in the shape of William "Shep" Shepherd, the first love who knows all Charlie's secrets, except one.