Set in 1969 on the shores of the Albemarle Sound April Harrington has fond memories of summers at her family home Bliss After her fairytale wedding disintegrates it becomes her refugethe one place where she can attempt to pull the unraveling threads of her life back together Unbeknownst to April the stately house has been neglected in recent years The oncesturdy roof is leaking in a few dozen places and the wharf is rotting Nothing is the same as she remembers Nothing except for Hale a Viet Nam pilot who is haunted by a dreadful secret and who is also her brothers best friend a brother killed in the conflict that is tearing the country apartIn Hales presence April finds familiarity and solace They share grief for a lost loved one and from the comfort of Hales arms passion blooms Yet Aprils future is unresolved Her wealthy arrogant almostbridegroom wants her back and the ghosts of Viet Nam are whispering to Hale Can they find new love in an old treasured home the kind of affection and trust that lasts forever