Dolores Meredith tries to match the homes she sells with the perfect buyer. So when Austin Barclay moves to town and wants to buy her very favorite property - the beautiful but neglected Leland House - she suspects that he might be someone special.

As Austin lovingly restores the home to its former glory, their mutual interest in the work-in-progress, and in each other, eventually grows into a wonderful, if unexpected, love affair. But happily-ever-after happens in fairy tales. And the love of Austin and Dolores will be tested in ways neither ever expected.

The lovers' story is written in a rich, compelling style heightened by recurrent themes from the poetry of Emily Dickinson.