Grace has spent her life caring for others. First her sick mother, then her patients, and now her aging father, Howard. Howard, a widower and retired sailor, is as stubborn in accepting help as Grace is eager to provide it. Grace hires a lovely older woman, Annie, to help out around Howard’s house several days a week. Howard rejects this imposition, and by extension Annie, outright. But eventually, Annie’s charm and gentle care pry open Howard's heart, and the pair fall in love. Annie invites Howard into her large and joyous family, who accept him with open arms. These new relationships put into stark relief the love Howard concurrently withholds from his daughter, who is going through a rough patch in her career and marriage. Grace’s resentment and longing tears at Howard and Annie’s otherwise idyllic seaside love story. Old wounds open and new love blossoms in this expertly crafted story about tempestuous hearts.